The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-06
Athletics Are Supported
By StHdentS And Alumni

was paying the expenses of players. 1t
has always been believed, however, that
certain men were attending college whose
expenses were paid by members of the
alumni society, though unknown to the
faculty of the college.
Players Aided by Alumni.
And that being the case, the question
arises: IF the college is not a party to
the transaction, if the coach and captain
of the team know nothing of the deal,
can the said college. coach or captain be
held responsible? Furthermore, is it nee
essary for a college, when a report is
circulated, without proof, to make an
investigation? o. Further. If such an In
vestigation is made what recourse has
a college, even if it is proved that Half
back Buckhard receives his expenses from
Alumnus Gunther, or Alumnus Jones? II
the player is a good student Is a gentle
man, though of little wealth, If he al
ways deports himself as a gentleman,
what can the college do? 1t is impossible
to dismiss him, for he has committed no
offense. And the college has no au-
thority over men who have graduated. On
the other hand, If the player in question
is a gentleman. and is in college for the
purpose of getting an education, his abil-
ity to play football is an asset a prac-
teal asset, and to criticise him is UNI
dignified and impractical. The player gets
an education and is a credit to the col
lege. The college has another student,
has a fine athlete, and a future alumnus
who will send other students. The man
paying his expenses has done a service to
the player, the college, and a greater
service to himself OF course, in the
above, no reference is made to that man
who is paid by members of the alumni
association to play football and who re-
signs Immediately after the season. That
man Is simply the exception that proves
the rule And Furthermore, the college
itself should hold out encouragement to
men who desire an education, and should
furnish, if possible, employment to aid
in the payment of expenses, and should
endeavor to have such students men of
strong physiques, football players If
you will. Such a scheme carried out op-
enly is perfectly legitimate.
Carrying the point still further. what
practical difference is there in man at
tending college at the expense of a phil
anthropist and the college appealing to
several hundred philanthropists when the
football team finishes the season in finan-
cial embarrassment? Why, then col
lege knows it is doing the proper thing,
will 1t crnge and wriggle because some
other college might say such and such a
player looks suspicious because his father
is financially unable to give his son
college education?
Athletics in Alabama.
Bringing the discussion down to a per-
sonal point, it seems that in Alabama
the colleges give less encouragement TO
athletics than the colleges in any other
state of equal Importance. 1t seems, too,
that the University of Alabama is less
attentive to its athletics than any other
college of the state 1t is known that the
expenses of the athletic teams of the uni
versity are less than any other college
in the south of a similar ranking. 1t is
known that Auburn has been more gen.
erous towards athletics than Alabama.
1t is known that the Georgia Tech is still
more generous than Auburn. 1t is I'M
necessary to cite proof, the students of
the respective colleges know that the fact
exists.
Now during the last two seasons, Ala
bama was fortunate enough to possess
very valuable coach. There is no better
coach in the south than DR.. j. w. II.
Pollard He understands the game from
beginning to end He possesses the fac
ulty of getting the best effort from the
PLAYERS He has the faculty of instilling
in each player patriotism and enthusiasm.
He has courage, patience and endurance:
Topping everything else, he is man OF
fine intellect, graduate physician, and
has had wide experience in the theoret-
ical and practical sides of physical Gull
ture.
The Pollard Case.
1t is ridiculous to expect man OF Or.
PolIard's ability to work for the paltry
sum of considerably less than $1,000. DR..
Pollard should not be blamed for making
an effort to get in field more lucrative.
On the other hand, If the university ex-
poets to advance in athletics. and In the
strength of it's individual men, it would
be folly to lose DR. Pollard.
Now, the university can take care of
Coach Pollard. DIR. Pollard would make
an excellent professor of physical culture
and supervisor of athletics Then, DR..
Pollard would make an excellent uniVer-
sity physician. The university physician
is remunerated by the students them
selves, at any rate. at So per man. If
the students had voice there is no
doubt but that they would pay their s. to
DR.. Pollard. At any rate some provision
should be made
There will come time when the col
leges of the south will wake up from
their long sleep and give athletics the en-
couragement that they deserve. 1t is sim
ply a practical proposition, and one In
which every dollar invested will return
with usurious interest.