Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-25

nave harQly packed tHeiT
uniforms away in moth balls
before all traces of the diamonds on which
they contested are obliterated and the
various fields of Washington are marked
of with parallel broad white lines. ~
yards apart. and over them twenty-five
grim visaged. much padded and tempo
rarity savage young men struggle madly
for the possession of leather oval.
These are the football teams, the twenty
two aforementioned usually comprising a
varsity and scrub eleven. And
every one of the contestants daily risks
life and limb with but one object-that
they may have a winning team.
The average spectator sees nothing but
the glamour. the struggle and the final
victory of one of the elevens. On the
day Of game he journeys to the grid
iron, pays his admission. sees the game
and then goes home. where he forgets
all about the men until there is another
matching of Drawn. muscle and skill. He
sees only the glamour. and even that
through haze of excitement and parti-
zanship. He knows nothing Of the other
side of foot ball.
Every Player Has Friends.
This is true of all cities. but particu-
larly so of Washington. And this is the
more strange when one considers that
here, in addition to the high schools and
an almost countless number of prepara-
tory institutions. there are three univer-
sites, many of whose students have lived
in this city all their lives. There is hard
ly man on any one of the teams who
has not a host OF acquaintance, who
make 1t point to see every game in
which he participates. One would sup
pose that under such circumstances the
history of the forming OF foot ball team.
and its being whipped into shape, would
be familiar subject-but 1t is not. Many
of those interested know only that there
are rival teams, and that one is better
and therefore wins. Concerning the in
side causes which make a winning team
they know nothing.
The personnel of the average university
team may be divided into three classes:
Men who have played on the eleven dur
Ing the preceding year, freshmen with
high or preparatory school experience
and freshmen who have had no expert
ence at all.
Tine first class are practically known.
The coaches are familiar with their abhi-
ties and their shortcomings, but, as a re-
suit or their summer vacation. they are
out of condition. and must begin all
over again If they would earn their old
position.
The second class, those who have played
on small teams. are also known quantities,
to certain extent. Their course in ath-
ietics has been carefully watched. and
when they appear on the university grid
iron for the first time the coaches have
already gagged their ability and have
classed them accordingly. This knowl-
edge is kept hiden. however, particularly
II the player happens to have been star
In his minor armament. In such cases
he is treated with more than ordinary
contempt. Frequently for several DAVIS
he Is abused and Inundated at every OBJ
portunity. Good work on his part re-
ceives no more enthusiastic praise than
an unwilling grunt, which might be trans
l4f nm n Il oir1,-
YOU might and should have done a whole
lot better" On the other hand his slight
est blunder is received with jeers Before
All his teammates he is sworn at and
neartlessiy criticised. is told by the coach
that the latters ten-year-old sister could
do far better and that IL he expects to
make even substitutes position he will
nave TO snow decided reversal of form.
Picking the Elevens.
with the man who has had no expe-
renee another course must be adopted
primarily he Is noticed because OF his
SIZE, strength and probably his agility
Then he is approached by the captain of
the team and by various students who
instill him with school spirit and urge
him TO come out and try for the team
He is finally persuaded is fitted out with
uniform and appears on the field. Here
he has his first experience with the
coaches. They explain the rules simply
emitting all the finer points. and for days
drill him in the mere rudiments of the
game. II he learns quickly and shows
an aptitude for the game he Is advanced
in proportion to his knowledge. and may
even eventually be given a place on the
team. Should he be slow he is kept con-
tinually working. advancing gradually in
his knowledge Of the games intricacies
and far different from his more expe-
renced friendly rivals for positions is
encouraged at every opportunity. For
while this year he may not even attain
the dignity of a position on the scrubs
which would allow him to wear mis- class
numerals on his iersey-he has three more
years 10 spend In college. and in time he
may be varsity star. If this does not
happen until his senior year the coaches
feel that their efforts have not been
wasted II such a man does not make
the varsity team during this year. how
ever. he rarely makes Il at all. save occa-
sionally substitute. for your true coach
is convinced that. no less than poets. foot
ball players are born, not made.
Few persons realize the importance and
the amount OF work which devolves upon
the coach. but he is really the power be-
hind the throne OF intercollegiate ath-
letics In these days Of ultra-scientific
foot ball ne Is quite as necessary as the
players lie IL the individual whose place