The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-01-08
VIR G|NIA ASKED
TO join MEETING
No Truth in Statement That Old
Doninion's Leading School
Was Sighted.
BOYCOTT IDEA is EXPLODED
Danvillc Conference Held to
Adopt Standard Eligibility
Rules.
BOYCOTT IDEA is EXPLODED


athletic relations with the Virginia
Polytechnic Institute was the fact that
meeting had been held at Danville
last year at which an attempt was
made by the Blacksburg School to
boycott Virginia. on the fact OF tho
statement 1t appeared that had such
been the case Virginia would have been
perfectly justified in refusing to con-
slider renewal of athletic relations.
In order TO ascertain just what was
done at the DanvilIe meeting, a letter
was addressed to Professor A. H. Pat
terson. Of the University of North
carolina, VINO was chairman or the
meeting. His letter. which follows.
states clearly the reason for tho meets
ins and what Ut was hoped to accom-
plish II VIII he noted from the letter
that the idea OF the meeting was to
formulate set OF rules which would
be equally fair TO each OF the colleges
represehted. regarding eligibility of
candidates for the several athletic
teams composing college athletics.
virginia was invited to attend this
meeting For reasons which were
probably justifiable and sufficient tho
university would not become affiliated
with the other colleges In Virginia and
North Carolina. and so whatever is
finally done toward arriving at a Just
and equitable conclusion as TO what
rules should govern accepting men.who
dcsire to play football or baseball, win
be done without the consent of the
university. or rather without the ap-
proval OF Virginia.
Professor Pnttcrson,s Letter.
Here Is what Professor Patterson
has TO say:
Gus Malbcrt,, Sporting Editor, The
Times Dispatch. Richmond:
Sir,--On returning home last night
from q vacation trip to New York,
found your letter of the 2Sth awaiting
me. am sorry TO be late In replying.
In reply to your inquiry concerning
the association which is forming
among Virginia and North Carolina
colleges. would say that you are
equally misinformed In being told TINT
the idea Is to boycott rho University
OF virginia or TO force her to join the
association The simple facts are as
Follows: We have some seventeen or
eighteen colleges in the two States
which have intercollegiate athletics
These colleges have widely yarying
eligibility rules, and some OF them are
out with others, and do not PLAY with
them.
Now. why should this be tho caseo
Why should Virgininns be at outs iust
because they arc at different colleges.
and refuse to meet each other In
friendly rivalry? Why should North
Carolina colleges be the same way?
We thought that probably ii was he
cause they did not know each Other
well enough. or get together in friend
~ discussion about differences. Consc-
auently we saw no reason why the
plan which has worked SO we'll In other
paris OF the country should not work
here in our two States. and we issued
call, or rather invitation, to about
nineteen colleges to send delegates to
conference in Danville on October
Z last.
About three fourths OF these colleges
responded favorably to the scheme.
either by letter or In person. ind n
committee was appointed to set GER
tain information about eligibility rules
ETC., at the colleges. and then to draft
proposed constitution, to be- sub
mitted to the various colleges. Tho
call was cent TO the University OF Vfr-
ginia just as 1t was sent to the others.
ana her acceptance or nonacceptance
VIII not AFFECT the matter ono way or
other, except that OF course we should
prefer that tho leading institution In
virginia should work with us in doing
what we consider q good work than
that she should remain lukewarm or
hostile. L can't see however, how any
one could question Yirsinia's right to
do exactly as sho pleases In the matter.
or how any one could consider the
question OF boycottieg her or forcing
her TO do anything she doesn't want to
DO. SO far as l know. there Is no such
end In view sent under separate
cover copy Of tho Tar Heel" giving
an account of the Danville conferences.
and | should be glad to give you any
further information can.
Very truly yours,
A. II: PATTERSON.
Real Demand for Game.
UP to the present time nothing has
been heard from Charlottesville rela-
tive to tho proposed meeting of the
Faculty Athletic Committee or OF the
student Committee. though 1t is posi-
tive that such meetings will be held
shortly. 1t had been hoped that finnl
disposition of the question would have
been accomplished during the past
week. But nothing has been done.
Blacksburg Is ready and willing. nay.
anxious, to meet Virginia next year.
NOW Is the time when the two scnoois
are completing their schedules for tho
coming year in football. It would be
well to do something definite SO that
at the last moment, should favorable
action be taken at tho university, n
hitch VIII not occur because OF no date
being open.
There is a. real demand for the game.
Everybody is interested and anxious
for the game to be played. V.3P. 7.
now has an option on tho local park
for October 81 and 2S. presumably for
the purpose of playing Virginia. In
the interest of sport and In the In
terest OF tho people who arc waiting
something should be done and be done