Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-15
Georgetown Not to
Abolish Rowing

Although things at present look as
though the Blue and Gray will not he
represented on the water next spring
there is every reason to believe that when
the time comes around the gritty OarsmeIl
from the hilltop will again be seen com
peting against outside schools as of yore
Last Saturday Manager Laplante gave
out in a statement that he didn't see a
chance for crew next year. This state
ment was taken final by some without
inquiring further. Nevertheless it seems
that the student body at Georgetown is
against cutting out the Aquatic sports. and
a Star reporter last night ascertained
that number of members of the athletic
executive committee are not only hot to
keep the crew going. but also are conf
dent that before spring arrangements will
be made whereby coach will be obtained
and a first-class eight developed to com
pete against other colleges
In speaking of the topic last night, Mr.
Joseph Montgomery. president of the ath-
letic association. said: lat present things
look dubious for a crew. not because OF
a lack of material. but because OF the
financial condition of the association. We
are not what you would really cali in
debt. but we are in such condition that
We will have TO economic. All managers
WILL Of course, have to run their finances
close but the crew manager is SO situated
that no funds are at hand to start with.
I think. though. that money will be at
hand before spring rowing begins and l
fully believe that We will get a varsity
crew out
Mr.. Edmund Fitzgerald. last season S
captain. and the logical candidate for the
leadership this year. is in favor of keep
ing a crew on the water until a good
showing is made. and then. if il is found
that ii is too big an expense to shoulder,
1r0nnpH ID i,,Sf
how Georgetown can give up aouatics at
present" he said. Nor am in favor of
such a procedure. think that another
year VIII put the finances OF the depart
ment in good shape. and believe il only
necessary 10 devise plan to carry us over
the gap. We have a great bunch of can
didates for the sweeps this season. and
! would hate TO see the crew abolished
when there are such excellent prospects
to turn out a winner.
Mr.. Thomas Boyle. treasurer of the
athletic association. is very optimistic
and has no doubt that funds will be
at hand to defray the expenses of a crew
In part. he said. we are a little bit i'm
debt Just now. owing to the bad luck we
had during the foot ball season. but
think that it is mstter of only a short
time before We will again he ahead of
tic gam" as far the Golfers of the
treasurer are concerned. If my predic-
tons are correct there IS no doub: that
rowing will be continued as ma jor
sport.
The opinions of the men quoted run
parallel with what most of the students
think. The ones who wish to see the
crew abolished are greatly in the mi.
noritE, while those who favor the re-
tention Of rowing are trying hard to boost
II. They all admit that money will have
to come from somewhere if they want to
keep auuaties up, hut they are all sure
that the alumni will come in with aid
rather than see a sport of the ma gnitude
of rowing dropped. 1t is expected tina,
some of the graduates will be heard from
in the matter before long and that hill
toppers will be greatly disappointed II the
old boys do not protest against aboishinp
the crew and back up their prot~ts by
something more substantial than advice
What the outcome Of it all will be Is
hard to prophesy, but from what the
writer heard at Georgetown Yesterday he
believes that it can be taken for certain
! that there will be a varsity crew at the
institution during the coming year. The
members of the Blue and Gray are a grit
ty lot. and are doing their best to bear
the burden of such expense and something
will have to turn up more than has thus
far before they give up their battle to pu,
| rowing on a sound financial basis. SC
far nothing has been done in the exec
utive committee in regard to the matter
but, stated before. the majority OF
that body is in favor of continuing the
sport Since those who are in charge are
backed up by most of the students. ano
since there is every reason to believe
that the alumni will come in with aid be
fore long, it can be put down as the mex,
thing TO final that Georgetown will mol
abolish rowing this year.