University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1908-10-20

II ball coach of the University o
Missouri, writes as follows in tn
November issue of The Baseball Maga
zine, under the caption, Football in tn,
Missouri Valley:
Two years of new football have
successfully passed away in Missouri
Valley, and the two years are worthy
of remembrance. The game is more alive
today than ever, due in part to the
hearty growth of all lines of sport in
this district, but more largely due to
the improved features of the game it.
self, and to the character of men play
ing the game. From the spectator
standpoint, there is a growing interest
and demand for more and more of this
college game. This increasing popular
ity seems to be due to all of the follow
ing features: open, fast, spectacular.
scientific and comparatively safe play
ing; better officials; more representa-
tive class of students playing the game;
and finally, a more wholesome concept
of intercollegiate relations.
Bad Features Removed.
High schools, academies, and even
colleges, which tabOOed the old game
few years ago, are now playing the new,
and it is safe to say that practically all
of such schools of any size and impor-
tance are or will be in the new game.
The faculties of high schools, academies,
colleges and universities are now looking
upon the new game as of sufficient i'm
portance, without too much chance for
injury, to be admitted into the school
life side by side with the other lines of
sport.
Many bad features of the old game
and of the old games regime have been
SO far removed from the new game as !
to have great weight with those now !
in control of athletics in Missouri Val |
ley. intercollegiate organization has
improved; old organizations which were
with the old idea of win
at any cost have been superseded by
those with the new concept of win if
possible but do so fairly In most cases
both academic and collegiate manage
ncnt and control have given way to
arger and stronger organization in
which the faculty have the balance of
'ower. High standards of sportsman
hip and business methods have been
ldopted. Old and corrupt organizations
AVE been taken over, their debts paid
nd an efficient member of the faculty
'laced at the helm. ,
Three distinct lines of organization .
re developing. The high schools and ;
cademies are organizing the State In l.
er- scholastic Athletic Associations: the ,
mailer colleges of each state are organ q
ing State Inter collegiate Conferences: !
nd the larger institutions of learning. 4
he universities, are combining into Dis !
rlct Conferences covering several states. t
ne OF the larger organizations, which .
as been well organized for several 5
ears, is the Chicago Conference. whose a
ltluence has been felt all over the a
'untry, East and West. The smaller h
odies are following the lead of this old a
body; they are developing similar
lies and regulations. molding them
} fit their local conditions. vet keen
g in mind the same high ideals and "
,licies. =
Missouri Valley Conference. o.
The latest organization of the West. f,
I'd one which bids fair to equal the pl
lleago Conference. not only as to these le
eals and methods. but also as to d,
rength. size and Importance, is the ia
issouri Valley Conference. Its exist b;
ce dates from the spring of 1907. and m
members at present are the State ii
liversities of Iowa. Nebraska. Kansas 10
d Missouri, Drake University. Wash pl
yton University and Iowa State Col co
'e tAmesl, all of these members being nc