Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-02
VIRGINIA WILL TRY SOCCER,
Coach Williams of Georgetown In
vited to Southern University.

That Georgetown is not alone in the
move to establish soccer as a department
Of intercollegiate competition became
known yesterday, when Coach Robert B.
Williams who is at present engaged
teaching the game to the Hilltoppers. an
nounced that the University of Virginia
had asked him to come to Charlottesville
and teach the game to the students there
On account of his engagement with the
local school 1t will be impossible for Mr.
Williams to accept the invitation at once
but 1t is probable that he will be able to
spend a few days with the southerners
before the holidays.
The decision by Georgetown's greatest
rivals to give soccer a trial will mean
much toward furthering the sport at the
local school. as there is now a big chance
for the two universities meeting in regu-
larly arranged games the same as in
other sports. OF course. the Importance
of such battles will depend to great ex-
tent on whether Rugby is abolished at
both schools. Should such prove to be
the case another autumn will see a Soc
Ger battle taking the place of the annual
Rugby event, and because Of the promi-
nence of the contenders and the rivalry
that exists between them such contest
would be sure to attract extensive at
tention and at the same time it would do
much toward introducing the game as a
national sport.
Georgetown has also found that it will
be possible to arrange games for next
fall with Princeton and Columbia. both of
which schools have hosts of followers in
Washington AS the other dates could
be filled in with athletic clubs pending the
extension OF the sport. the schedule could
be made attractive and at the same time
representative of the p estige that George
town holds among the larger colleges.
coach Williams announced at yester-
days practice that he would endeavor to
arrange match game for Sunday b.
tween the two best of the local soccer
teams to take place on Georgetown Fl Id.
where the students will all have a chance
to see more Of the possibilities Of the
sport than is possible when they them
selves are playing. The two teams in ques-
ton are the Caledonfans and the Sons of
st. George. and because of the intense
feeling between them a good battle is
assured If the meeting is brought about.
1t might also be added that a devotee
OF soccer has offered a very valuable
challenge trophy to be competed for each
year by soccer teams representing George
town and Virginia. AS this would be an
added inducement for taking up the sport
at both schools, and as the reinstatement
of Rugby at the best will only be on trial,
there is more reason than ever to believe
that the game will be given a most thor
ough try-Out before 1t Is decided on what
will be done in the matter Of making it
a major sport.
Georgetown will probably consider the
subject very carefully at the semi-annual
meeting of the general athletic aSsocia-
ton. which will be held before the
holidays and at which 1t has been Gus
tornary to elect an assistant manager of
foot ball. As yet this department has
not been abolished by the students and it
DO Ill icfy 80
Ger were chosen the same as usual. 1t
may be. however, that manager of Soc
Ger will be selected instead. in which
case the English game will stand a big
Chance of coming into prominence both
at Georgetown and the other colleges in
this section Of the country.