The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-09-09
OLD HARVARD MAN
MAKES SUGGESTION
Roger A. Derby Talks Football
and Would Revise New
Rules

ana Would Revise New
Rules
Boston. Sept. 9.-Nootball az It ID
played at present In American col
Ileges is Al exclusive rather than an
inclusive game, according to Roger
a. Derby. q former Harvard lineman.
,1nasmuch as the tendency Of the
coaches 10 to eliminate from tho
squads the physically unfit and to
concentrate their sole attention on
the men selected to represent the COL
llege ,elevens In crucial gridiron struR-
giles. Mr.. Derby believes the game
should be revolutionixed so that the
greater number Of men who need
fresh air and exercise be allowed to
derive the benefits Of the fall game.
He suggests that an agreement DO
made between the big universities to
postpone the selection Of university
squads until November I and q sys-
tenn be inaugurated whereby intra-
university games be played In o.
tober. The members Of the varsity
team might be thus chosen from the
numerous teams brought into the field.
Mr.. Derby is Of the opinion that the
club system would tend to stimulate
popular interest in football among
undergraduates and that It would al
low many more persons to play the
game than 10 now permitted, once the
coaches choose their squads.
By permitting more men to engage
in the sport, MI. Derby thinks q high
er standard Of team work and more
vigorous players would be developed.
The interest Of the university squad
coaches would be diffused over these
clubs and the players would have the
stimulus Of club rivalry and the OPP
Iportunity Of playing on q team with
university players and deriving the
benefit Of university coaching. The
possibility Of being selected to repre-
sent this college in the crucial game,
says Mr.. Derby, would have a ten
ldency to create greater interest among
undergraduates.
Football Harmful ct Present.
The game Of football as 1t is played
In this country by American colleges,
is doing more harm to the college men
than good. according to Mr.. Derby's
ideas. Only a few derive the benefits
of It, and the rest sit in the grand
stand. he says. In a recent communi-
cation the former. football: player
points out his ideas and belief as to
how the game should be played 80
that the average college nan may de-
rive its intended benefits. He said:
81 attempted to point out that, al
played in America, football gives the
players a minimum Of actual playing,
fresh exercise and q minimum Of
preparation, blackboard lectures and
signal drills, that the whole process
jsavors Of the professional and spec
|tacular spirit, and that from a nation
al viewpoint football is developing far
more men strong in holding down
bleachers and putting pipes and CT
lgarettes than strong in sinew. wind
and limb.
"As a remedy I would suggest that
an agreement be made between three
or four leading American universities,
say. Harvard, Yale and Princeton, to
postpone the selection of university
football squads until November /;
that q system Of clubs be ~inaugurated
lat three universities similar In gen.
eral outline, among which a series
of Extraordinarily games will be
played throughout October; that, after
the completion Of this series the uni
versity squads be selected and the in
!ter-university be held in November
% usual.
Football Would Improve.
"The postponement Of the univer-
sity season and the Inauguration Of
club systems would tend to stimulate
popular interest In football among
the undergraduates. By shortening
the length Of the university season,
much of the high pressure that Is so
demoralizing to the university at
large would be reduced. and by pop
~ularising the game Of football, a high
Ter type Of game and a higher type
of player would be developed.
"By q higher type Of player I mean
one retaining all the vigorous quail
ties Of English rugby and perhaps
a somewhat higher standard Of team
play, but dispensing forever with sig
nal drills. dummies. charging and
blocking practice. blackboard talks.
complicated signals, rubbers, retain
ers. doctors and the present expense;
Iquires skill and ability to excel at,
pleasure and health to the players.
'1uo ul6ueeI lypo VI 6aAuo 10 Sno ono
that does the most good for the great
est number, not the one that can
only be played by q specially quail
fed few.
"But this change in the nature Of
the game is visionary. and. I merely
point it out as a possible result Of
p%opularizing American football and
taking the pleasure of the university
season. I realize, however, that the
'shouters of 'mollycoddleism' and hit
the-line-hardism will rise in wrath
over my suggestions.
sSand" Not Lacking.
II should like to say this about the
Is URINARY