New-York tribune., 1908-12-28

terest Ia the practice games held at the St Mich
olas Rink in the last three or four weeks of
a kind to make this prediction something n1ore
than a mere guess There is much about the sport
that is attractive and now that it has been freed
to large extent from semi professionalism, and
more care exercised in the selection OF officials.
thus preventing undue roughness and unfair tao
tics. it is almost sure to assume importance
second only to indoor athletics winter sport
The Amateur Hockey League championship series
Will begin on January with game between the
New York Athletic Club and St Nicholas sevens,
and end March L. with average of two
games q week The intercollegiate Hockey League
championship series will begin January and
end on February 90 nine games being scheduled
among Princeton. Columbia. Harvard. Yale and
Dartmouth As g curtain raiser, however, the
season VIII be formally opened Saturday with
an International game between the seven Of the
Montreal Athletic Association and all New York
team
The Crescent Athletic Club has had more less
Of monopoly in recent years, far Is the win
ming Of the Arnateur League title is concerned.
but last years champions will have a much harder
road TO travel this season, they have lost two
or three Of their best players and must build up
new team This is not cause for any regret,
Cept4 perhaps for the Crescent rooters, in all
probability the sevens viii be better balanced and
the struggle for the title Will be interesting
and better sustained. There five teams
league this year-the Wanderers. New York Ath-
II
Skating Club and the Hockey Club OF New York.
On paper the New York Athletic Club seven ap-
pears tc be the strongest but the St Nicholas
followers confident while the Wanderers. too,
will bear close watching.
OF the i've teams IN the intercollegiate league,
Yale. Princeton and Columbia have been seen in
practice games at the St Nicholas Pink. and
Princeton made the best impression. The Tigers
won two out Of three games, showing lot of
speed and not little cleverness for so early in
the season The Yale team. which was beaten by
the Wanderers, showed lack of practice and the
absence OF any team play worthy Of the name, but
I liked the way the men went about their work.
and Will be disappointed If last seasons cham
pions DO not make a good fight for the title The
Columbia team did not impress favorably, but
il is Just possible that the will pull themselves
together and make g better showing later. IL
respects they have advantage over every
other team IL the league, they have the rink 10
fall back On for practice whereas the players of
Yale, Princeton. Harvard and Dartmouth must
depend upon outdoor ice. Little IS known about
Harvard and Dartmouth. although individually the
teams appear to be quite as strong as last year.
University for three years. and In all probability
viii be lost for some years to come. as, in the
opinion OF member Of the faculty, at least the
sport Is too strenuous for city bred boys. II Is
refreshing however, 10 find that Professor James
Earl Russell. dean Of Teachers College, has a
good word to say for 1t in discussing American
college sports In the current number Of The
Columbia University Quarterly Professor Russell
says:
Even football, the most maligned of all college
sports is worth playing, provided # be clean
sport I have fear OF serious harm from a few
bruises and sprains and broken bones. All these
will mend They the price youth pays for good
health and animal spirits; they are part Of the
cost Of learning how get with ones fellows
how TO lead and be led IN the practical affairs OF
lfe.'
This appeals TO me- as It will to many who
through football have learned to overcome the
nervous dread Of being injured have discovered
to ny own satisfaction that knowledge of what
the body will stand, or what, say, boat will
stand in heavy weather. lessons, II 1t does not
eliminate. the dread Of being hurt or the fear OF
capsizing. the case may be-
Whatever may be said for against the thor
oughbred running meeting over half-nlile track at
Savannah one thing is sure. with Frank ], Bryan
travel in the straight and narrow path know
Frank Bryan to be d champion OF clean sport and
fair dealing and ! know that he has the hest
interests Of racing at heart
Seems a pity that the larger universities in the
East are still holding aloof from the intercollegiate
Athletic Association Of the United States Under
the able direction of Captain Palmer E Pierce II
has made for good and should continue TO do SO
The vigorous campaign for clean sport eno the
sane control Of college athletics deserves the CO.
operation Of all
The man who can attend tfe coming automobile
shows In this city and walk out without being fired
with an overpowering ambition 10 save up can
count himself immune from tbs motor fever In It's
most virulent form HhRbbht.