The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1909-10-08


for neSt Year.
Ann Arbor. Mich, oct. S.-Michigan,
,.,nresota wisconsin. Illinois. Penn
,,lvanla. Syracuse and, possibly Cor
nen are the universities that are
named for membership in combine
hitch II carried out, will be the great
eet athletic alliance known TO inter-
collegiate history.
The movement found its root At
Michigan. II was first talked almost
, wear ago The plan is meeting with
favor among the leading undergrad
rotes and some of the alumni are also
enthusiastic over the proposed combi-
nation of universities.
Matters have reached such n stage
that before long open negotiations will
be- carried on between these institu-
tl5ns. If present indications amount to
much.
In case the plan is successful the
old western conference will be thing
If the past. The great schools of the
east and west will be drawn together
hy a far-rcaching, secure agreement
Michigan Frozen Out.
Literally frozen out Of the confer
encc. Michigan turned TO the east for
her athletic opponents three years ago.
The wolverine school did not with
draw from the combine Of western coll
leqes until a year later when 1t was
evident that remaining tied to confer
ence rules would offer Michigan no add
vantages. When Michigan did pull out
Of the western alliance the other MEM
hers OF the big Nine" sat up and
stared. Michigan played Pennsylva-
mia, Dartmouth offered a game. Even
with crippled football team the
MichiCanders made their power felt
The, conference rules were modified
Everything that Michigan had asked
for was granted. But Michigan. Of
course. drew no benefit.
They Laughed, Then Groaned.
But inside the conference there was
p growing dissatisfaction. The "Blg
Eight" today means A. a. Stage ct al;
wisconsin is ruffled; Minnesota IS
openly disgruntlcd
The MaroOns laughed at Mchiga n.
Then Michigan scheduled the Goph-
crs for two games Stagg didn't be-
lieve it, at first. When he became
convinced the Maroon leader said
nothing more.
Minnesota is making the Michigan
game the great attraction of the years
schedule. Pennsylvania is afraid of
Michigan. Syracuse is coming into the
west prepared TO fight their best bat
tie Of the fan.
Michigan Is not in the conference
Michigan is attracting more attention
this year than is any one conference
team.
Now comes the question of draw
Ing east and west together i'm an
agreement that will enable the eastern
cievens to compete with those of the
west each having the same advan-
tages. True, Michigan is at the bot
tom Of this scheme. ut Michigan will
not profit n whit moro than will all
the others.
Detail of the plan has not been
smoothcd out. A general agreement
as to eligibility rules. schedules, open
ing Of the season. will, of course be
framed Of the proposition can be
pushed through.
All Schols Favor Plan.
Minnesota and Wisconsin are
friendly toward Michigan. True, the
Gophers and Wolverines are bitter ri
vals and have been since that day in
1908 whom they fought to n 6 to tie.
hut Minnesota bears no great animOs-
lily toward Michigan or the maize
ana blue eleven would not be playing
the westorners. Carefully guarded ne
gotiaiions went on between Michigan
ana Wisconsin last winter The VOL
V'rlnes wcre seriously considered by
The Badgers, and men who know
ABOUT things out here say that it was
not conference rules that prevented
the clash.
Illinois would. in all probability, be
RIad To break away from Stage and
enter into broader agreement.
AS for Syracuse and Pennsylvania,
u IS thought that both would consider
entering into tho proposed compac'
cornell strong rival of Penn, would
De a likely assentor TO the plan. All
.''ree OF these eastern institutions
l'Ve been dabbling into the west with
III inc recent years and this shows