The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-02

However, In spite OF what statistics and
figures seem TO show, there are some per-
IN who think that the trouble lies In not
enough athletlca, instead of too. much.
Prof. Charles V. p. Young Of Cornell. whose
interest and activity In athletics are well
known, has this to say about the present
day problems in the THtercolegioH:
sWe hear frequent objections raised
against athletics as at present conducted
In many Of our Institutions Of learning;
among these that they are confined too
much to the few who are already physically
proficient; that the play element is largely
thereby created which is antaRonistic to
the proper object and aims Of true sport.
"Ths close SCRUTINY TO which athletic
conditions have been subjected In many
colleges and universities is a fair guarantee,
Of will be eradioated. In fact. already
have very decided steps been taken looking
toward that end, and In this connection
might be mentioned particularly two
institutions, / refer TO the rule requiring
one year Of residence or the part Of a stu
dent before representing his college on a
varsity team, and to the rule fixing the
period OF his athletic life at three years.
These rules should eliminate the subsidized
athlete and the 'peripatetio' athlete, a con-
summation for which we should be devoutly
thankful.
But there 10 one aspect OF the problem
limited at in the objections raised above
because 1t is an objection that win not be
met by multiplied and minute eligibility
rules. II Ia the logical result Of the some
what exaggerated athletic conditions OF
the day. The sever course OF training
entsiled upon candidates for an athletic
team In order to attain to the necessary
degree Of endurance n proficiency and
the absorbing interest with which its prog
ress is watched from day to day, owing to
the intensity Of intercollegiate rivalry,
tend almost, inevitably to SURROUND both
practice and game with an air OF pro-
f~essionalism which cannot but find eE-
preston at times in acts which partake
something Of rowdyism.
1T is not surprising under present con-
ditions, with the attention. OF the entire
representing the college on the athletic
field. that victory should In the minds Of
many come to constitute the teams sole
rdison DEERE and that the idea OF sport
for the sake Of the sport and exercise should
be largely lost sight OF.
Multiplicity OF rules. by concentrating
attention Of the many that are excluded
by them, or for other reasons, upon the
favored"few, would seem rather TO agra
vate this evil than to alleviate it. So. too.
the abolition OF intercollegiate contests
would not seem TO be q solution of the diff
Guilty. The evils notinherent in suoha thlet-
ic contests, and on the other hand the con-
tests serve many good and beneficent ends.
The instincts OF competition and self-reli.
ance are fundamental TO the development OF
character and they call for fullest expires;
sion during the period Of student life. IL
not given an outlet in one direction they
take It in another. n what more salts
factory and wholesome expression can they
show than In athletic competition? Nothing
appeals TO the average student mind with
- HNEnA and nnfhinn will an
quickly stir up the energy and ambition.
Not to pursue the subject further, II
seems 10 ME that the solution TO athletic
problems in our colleges lies not IN less
athletics but in more athletics, Provl-
sion for wholesome outdoor exercise must
be made for the large number OF men who
for various reasons are unable TO make
one Of the athletic teams, as well as for
the few physically efficient who do make
them. When 1t comes TO be recognized
by educational leaders generally that the
athletic field, with its variety OF games ana
exercises, its freedom and excitement. Is
an essential adjunct to university equip
ment and provision Is made Tor the eH-
\ ercise thereon Of the entire student Dody,
than I believe we will have in our athletic
Organization q %leavening influence which
win make for clean and wholesome sport
no matter how intense the desire to win.
intercollegiate contests then Will become,
as they should, events more or less INCL
dental to the general system OF physical
This in one respect in which We may
learn from the English universities. II Is
the custom there. We are told. for the entire
student body TO flock to the athletic held
at a certain period In the afternoon. The
university teams are simply selected from
those who make the best Owl In the
various minor contests and the final selec-
ton OF those who shall compose such teams
Ia not q signal for all the others TO cease
- A-n-1tnAn Whnn all tho
students are thus engaged in friendly COM
petition in one form or another OF sport II
n not TO be wondered at that q breach oil
etiquette or sportmansbip should be a
matter Of rare or unheard OF occurrence.
Prof. Young expresses in one way the
idea which President Butter had III mind
when he moved q couple OF seasons ago foT
the abolition OF football ct Columbia, DR.;
Butler said that he believed that there should
be sports for the great mass OF students
clear that he believed that the way TO arrive
at this end wa to abolish intercollegiate
oomDetition, thus forcing the students who
felt an interest in athletics TO take part IN
the interuniversity competitions. Frof
Young considers that unnecessary. u
The success OF athletic teams at Cornell
in the last few years is an outgrowth In 9
wisely administered system Of general com
petition. Take. for instance, oross-coun,
try running, Cornel's markedly prominent
feature. I1ef6 are mUeTClhps iaCSe' pOoi
college races and class races for all sorts oil
men The early competitions give achance
to ali the men in the college who display any
interest. Intercollege rowing Is another
development, although Cornell does not
sscribe It's success or prominence to this,
The anxiety on the part OF some OF the
colleges 10 be winners In the intercollegiate
track and field championships this year led
TO some hard work in covering up runners
and field men. For instance, although &C
CARPENTER, the intercollegiate champion
half miller in 1908, returned to college from
South Africa at the beginning OF the second
term and was eligible for sports, he was moi
entered in any OF the dual meets and hi
presence at Cornell Was carefully concealed
In none OF the dual meets or interolass games
did Coach Fitzpatrick Of Michigan permit
his men 10 do their best work. They were
ordered to ease up in all races. 80 that the
other trainers could not get q line on them
The results OF the interclase meet at Penn
s~ylvania, where some remarkable perform
anoes were recorded. were kept close. too
Ali In all, the secrecy was unpleasant. Those
who nave been arguing that all ~tnteroolle,
giate sport should be fair and above board
will probably find In instances like these
arguments against the continuance OF Ger
thin methoda In interoolleRiate sport.