The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-12-23
SCORES DISHONEST
METHODS EXISTING
IN SCHOOL ATHLETICS

Renwick S. MeNiece of the Salt Lake
High school read a paper on the ethics
department This was in the nature of
an appeal for a closer and more intelli-
gent supervision OF athletics in the
schools of the statc-a supervision which
VIII make athletics strong and clean;
which viii eliminate questionable meth
ods, and develop education of the
highest type, which co-ordinates the ply
sical, mental and moral attributes of
body, mind and soul
He severely scored some question: BILE
methods now existing in state school ath-
letics- Players" he said have repre-
serted schools who have in no way been
identified with the school work Lists
of eligible players have been exchanged
between schools, and these have been
duly certified 10 by the principals when
1t is notorious that some of the play
ers have been breaking some of the
simplest requirements OF eligibility or
are infringing the spirit of the rules.
Such condition is deplOrable. We can
not believe that these practices are al
lowed TO exist by the wilful intent and
purpose of those who are in authority.
but We are compelled to believe that they
exist through the ignorance or negli-
gent supervision of those in authority.
Such supervision tends TO dissipate the
whole moral influence of athletics and
we would hold that principal culpable
who, through ignorance or negligence.
permits athletics to assume form det-
Mr.. McNiece pointed out that in schools
today it is the athlete who achieves dis
tinction that is admired by his fellows,
rather than the academic prize winner.
With this condition have arisen tenden-
cies which have obscured the relative i'm
portance of academic matters and which
have given rise to practices questionable
In their moral aspect. A storm of adj
verse criticism has been raised which has
had the good effect of making il clear
that there is an important moral side TO
athletics.
Athletic contests" he said. ARE
fraught with great possibilities of moral
training which have not yet been fully
recognized. The moral quality inherent
in the athlete may be directed to in
culcate, correct physical habits of life du-
ing he must undergo discipline and OBJ
serve self-denial. Spurred by ambition
ne finds il to advantage to abserve the
simple rules of hygiene He obtains the
quality OF endurance. He learns to alb
stain from rich food and unhealthy hab-
its.
''This moral quality may be directed to-
ward schooling the student in the prin-
ciples of fair play toward his opponent.
He should be taught to play the game
according to the spirit of the rules and
that to do otherwise is wrong, and that
dirty play is mean and contemplate. He
must be. taught that an honest defeat is
infinitely better than a victory won by
compromise with principle
Another inherent moral quality in ath-
letics lies in the qualities of manhood
demanded by the participant He can
not fall back upon another. but must
stand upon his own responsibility He
has a specific duty to perform and no
other person can do it for him. He will
learn that the loss of temper on the field
impairs his efficiency as an athlete and
learns self-cOntrol
The school, too. is benefited by the
which athletics gives it, but if
a high standard of scholarship is de-
manded of those who participate it would
tend to raise the intellectual standard
But the most important influence on the
school is the unification of the classes
and the fostering Of a strong school
spirit. making it easier to appeal to the
sentiment of the whole school"
w. w. Ray, at the conclusion of Mr.
paper, briefly discussed his
He agreed with the speak
er in the main, and added that the great
value Of athletics to the school is the
gain in democratic spirit and the re-
Sultant breaking uD of clidues