Omaha daily bee., 1907-02-03

kS%S42N of college athletics than in the
0a0 future of athletic club sport, has
developed a plan which in his estimation
and that of others will solve the problem
OF stopping college men from competing
loosely with athletic clubs. The union
recently made a rule that touched on this
point and which greatly, by reason of pri-
vate ends, failed to cover the case anything
like fully. Athletics In their undergraduate
days are no more stopped now from COM
peting for athletic clubs than ever they
were before. II is fair to say that that is
not the fault Of the union, which adopted
| a rule presented TO 1t as worthy by it's legis-
lation COMMITTEES. Between the old rule
and the new there Is a distinction In Ian
guage only; the situation is unchanged.
| But Mr.. Sullivan said recently: why
should not the college athletic associations
! join the A. A. u? That would stop all
4 that in a minute. The men would feel
bound in loyalty to represent only
their athletic associations instead of clubs.
summer as well as winter. and whatever
honor there might be to them in athletic
lines would be shared equally by the col
lege.
Membership in the A. A. U. would give
these men a chance to represent their uni
versties in the district championships, and
possibly through the work OF several good
men a college might defeat an athletic
| club for the championship. 1 think, too,
/ that a great benefit would accrue to the
men in the smaller colleges II they could be
brought into closer touch with the A. A. u,
to learn some of it's ideals and ideas and
also, which is more important. some OF its
rules.
"As things now go college men are pretty
/ generally in ignorance of our rules. simple
/ though they are and although they have
| frequently to compete in open meetings.
they do so rather I'm a blind way. 1t is
mere chance that they avoid breaking rules
OF the union Not only would the presence
of the colleges in our union be of no small
benefit to the colleges. but to the union,
too. Il would solve for the union the
problem as to college men competing Tor
athletic clubs II would teach the collie
gians what they do not always have. and
that is loyalty. As much a member OF
an A. A. L. club when they are members
of their college athletic association, they
would stick to the college right through
their Undergraduate careers. Once out OF
college no one would object TO their be-
coming athletic club members.
Il feel, too. that II the smaller colleges
we're afiliated with the A. A. L. the meu
by dint OF competing more often would
learn many things about the athletic game
that they cannot learn while in the prac.
teal seclusion Of their own quarters. They
would gain an experience which. without
taking their time away from studies. would
make them better athletes and in many
cases more sensible ones"
Mr.. sullivan's idea springs not from re
gard for the interests Of the Amateur
Athletic union any more than from al
eye TO the best ends OF the colleges. too
aiS loyalty theme will touch a responsive
chord in the breasts of many college presi
dents and athletic association advisers wht
have been trying 10 bring about a result
now made possible easily by the simpl,
suggestion OF the new president OF thu
Amateur Athletic union. Certainly. a,
some men In the Amateur Athletic unioI
have shown that after all they wish no
so much TO prevent collegians from being
drawn into athletic clubs as they ouEh
TO. 1t shows very proper spirit on thu