The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-10-28
Members of the High School
Claim the Support Is Not
Given in Athletic Matters
That Should Be Given.
PRINCIPAL ELLEBARGER
DESIRES ORDER ONLY.
Says He Is a Supporter and
Believer in Athletics But
Feels 1t incumbent Upon
Him to Maintain Dignity.

Jubilant because their football team
mad defeated the Greenville, O., high
school in a foot ball game last Satur-
day, on the enemy's own grounds, a
number of students gathered this
morning in the high school chapel and
attempted to give several school yells,
a practice which is followed in many
Indiana high schools following victo-
ry. The yelling did not proceed far
as Principal D. r. Ellabarger called for
order. Now Principal Ellabarger is
the butt of much censure by high
school students in general. for, as they
say, the death knell of athletics at the
local school was sounded by the inter-
ference. The principal, on the other
hand, states that he simply attempted
to maintain the order and dignity of
the chapel period, and it was not be-
cause he did not sympathize with the
students in the victory registered Sat
urday. The whole affair has stirred
the high school students to disapprov-
al Of Principal Ellabarger's actions,
for as several of them said, they
thought it reflected the sentiment of
the faculty toward athletics and was
both discouraging to the team who had
fought the schools battles on the ath-
letic field uptodate this year, and fE-
thermore discouraged those pupils who
might desire to make try for the
schools athletic teams. Prof. Ella
barger said that this was not the case,
nither did he intend it to be SUCH
Statement by Student.
A prominent high school student,
who is in no wise connected with
athletics, other than showing a friend
ly interest in the success of the color
bearers, said:
The death knell of athletics and
school spirit was without doubt sound
ed when Principal Ellabarger objected
to the time-honored custom of cele-
brating victory by cheering for the
fellows who had helped accomplish
1t. For many years the custom has
been kept up, but from present appear
anceS the time has passed when the
football teams of the Richmond high
school may hope for faculty support
The team went into the game at
Greenville, Saturday without the pres
ence of a member of the faculty and
came back victorious.
The displeasure of the schools at
the calling given by Principal Ella
barger was very prominently mani
tested, but instead of quenching the
school spirit. the few words spoken
have only aroused bitter feelings in
the hearts of the entire student body.
In the past few years the school has
been compelled to listen to two adj
dresses each term on the lack of
school spirit as demonstrated in the
Richmond high school. However.
when it becomes apparent that there
is some spirit left in the school, the
faculty seems to take upon itself the
duty Of squelching it to the greatest
possible extent"
Little groups of high school stu
dents discussed Principal Ellabarger's
alleged affront to the students at
noon. Not only the boys in the school
but many of the fair goods as well
thought that the school might at least
be allowed to cheer for the youngsters
who had fought CALAMITY in the mud
and water Saturday, and brought
homo a victory.
When seen by the Palladium. Prin-
cipal Ellabarger said that there is not
Il stronger supporter Of athletics in the
school than he. His action was taken
he said, simply because he was fulfill
ing his duty Many of the students
sometimes misconstrue actions of this
character" he said When the boys
= began TO cheer simply made the state
ment to them that would much rather
they would not cheer during the chapel
period and told them that ! could aid
them better without the cheering than
/ could with it When asked as to
whether his statement in anyway re-
Elected the sentiment of the faculty, as
many of the students were prone TO be-
lieve, Principal Ellabarger said: 1T
does not in the least. 1t wasn't be-
cause / personally was against athleE-
les, but because it devolved upon me
to keep order in tn high school," Pri l.
cipal Ellabarger further said that when
the high school foot ball team played
on Reid Field recently. he sold more
than hundred tickets for the boys and
would in the future continue to sur
port the teams. He does not believe
so discourage the boys that they will
abandon athletics.