The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-07-04
EVENING Gym" CLASSES
At ST. MARY's PROVE
BIC SUCCESS
Physical Instructor RiffIer
Mods Athletes in Oakland
College at Night


The evening classes in the alumni
gymnasium have proved one of the
most successful features of this years
athletic program at st. Mary's college.
When the physical instructor at the
Oakland college. Otto Rittler. assumed
charge he had no intention of forming
evening classes. The daily schedule
made provision for gymnasium work
for the students during the day and the
evening at ST AIary's is sacred to study.
But it gradually became known that.
independent of the students proper. a
group of young men were anxious to
avail themselves Of the opportunities
offered by the well equipped gym
nasium and the physical director whose
work has received such favorable rec
ognition at the Reliance club.
Many of the young men were obliged
to work during the day and so could
not attend the regular gymnasium
classes: others were willing to enter
the college for gymnasium work. but
could not do so as regular students
since the college authorities are in
exorable in the matter OF class work
for prospective athletics. The only
way out was the establishments of a
distinct class in athletics and this de-
parture was brought about by Rittler
through the kindly cooperation of
Brother Joseph. moderator in athletics
at St. Mary's
REPRESENT GYMNASIUM
The men and boys who attend the
ri a. L
OF st. Mary's gymnasium. and are in
every respect distinct from the stu
dents They are not permitted TO wear
the college sweaters. nor are they al
lowed to take part in any intercOlle-
giate meet in which ST. Mary's is rep
resented On the other hand. however.
they have represented the gymnasium
at local picnics. field days and other
amateur, but not collegiate. athletic
events.
Among the most enthusiastic mem
bers of the evening classes are several
graduates of ST. Mary's. business and
professional men of Oakland. who feel
the necessity Of taking systema tic ply
steal exercises under the direction of A
capable Instructor. Several of them
can be called young men only by a
stretch of courtesy but they are all
enthusiastic and determined. and are
unanimous in vOiCing their satisfaction
with the evening classes.
The evening classes assemble three
times a week, Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fridays. Rittler and his assist
ants are in charge and the members
are put through a systematic course
Of athletic exercises. including dumb
bells, Indian clubs. wands. bucks. pal
allel bars and rings. Special instruc-
tiOn is given in boxing wrestling and
trapeze work. Breathing exercises
and systematic running are obligatory
for all. The evenings work ends with
cold showers and rubdOwns.
The trouble with many athletes"
declared Coach Rittler a few days ago.
is partial development. Take a fell
low who has given promise of making
good as hammer thrOwer. What
does he do? Why he practices at the
hammer throw all of the spare time.
and does little else in an athletic way.
What is the result? He develops a GER
tain set of muscles only and neglects
all the others. In time this is sure to
tell against him. One arm will be far
stronger than the other and whatever
he has is lOpsided strength.
He needs work on the rowing machine
and the parallel bars TO relax the mus
cles brought into play in hammer
throwing
Take the fellow who sets out to be
a Splinter. He's greatly mistaken if
he fancies that all he needs is plenty
of practice in running. He requires a
variety of setting up exercises and
work with the medicine ball the
clubs and the dumbbelIs. In a word.
all around development is what every
athlete wants. II this truth We're more
generally recognized We should hear
less of athletic heart and we should
see less of promising young fellows
breaking down prematurely. I think
we have successfully demonstrated
here at ST. Mary's that gymnasium
work is the foundation for permanent
success on, the diamond. the gridiron
and the track
BY request of the members the
evening classes will continue during
the vacation months.