New-York tribune., 1911-01-09
Aomobhng Running Soccer Racek Shooting Other
In the sprints, and perhaps better II he
would conflne himself to track work.

| In the sprints, and perhaps better II he
would conflne himself to track work
| Speaking of Keene Fitzpatrick brings 70
mind a query which neglected to answer
in this column last week. One OF my cor
respondents wants 10 know what trainer,
In my opinion, ranks at the top. I am
frank 10 confess that have no opinion on
such delicate question. especially when
it comes TO picking and choosing among
such men as Mike Murphy. OF Pennsylva-
mia; Johnny Mack, of Yale; Keene Fitz-
patrick, Of Princeton: Jack Moakley OF
Cornell; "Pooch" Donovan, of Harvard,
and Mike Sweeney. of Hill School VINO
cannot be lured away from the attractive
environments at Pottstown, Penn. TO ac-
cept the position where he could bring
more fame to his name. AS trainers OF
men and boys the ones mentioned practical
ly are in a class by themselves. There
are plenty OF other capable trainers. Har-
~ Hillman, who has done so much Tor
Dartmouth in a single year. is quite likely
to fight his way to the top, while Lawson
Robertson, Al COPELAND and Bernie Weters
are men OF proved skill
At the recent meeting OF the National
Collegiate Athletic Association. In this
city, IL was the opinion Of many OF the
educators present that the coaching OF all
college teams should be limited 10 faculty
representatives or 10 alumni who had the
time and means TO help without pay |
am a firm believer in clean amateur sport,
and recognize that commercialism. so
called, is one of the greatest evils Of the
present day I'm the conduct OF athletics at
various colleges, but am not In sympathy
with those who, to reach more or less
ideal condition would abolish the profes-
sional coach or trainer. The professional
has quite as much place in sports as the
amateur. It is the semi-professionaj or
the out-and-out professional who covers
himself with the cloak of an amateur that
makes for harm and brings about condl-
tions that should not be tolerated. Ihose
who make a study OF athletics In the Varl-
Gus branches ere better qualifled 10 IN
struct and direct than those who gain only
a smatterirg and then put themselves IN
the position Of the blind leading the blind
If Greek and mathematics are worth
teaching they are worth teaching well; II
baseball, football and other sports are
worth teaching, they aIso arc worth teach
ing well.
"The Yale Alumni Weekly takes a stand
editorially in it's current issue against pro-
ressional nicholson the baseball field
such as pIaying the game from the bench
and unnecessary talking from the coaching
lines for the purpose Of distracting or rat
fling" the opposing players, particularly
the pitcher. To this all fair sportsmen
must subscribe, but this unhappy condi-
ton cannot be placed necessarily at the
doors Of The professional coach. The fault
lies with the players, who are quick 10 ape
the ways of professionals 10 cover seeming
grcenness and ineXperience The fauit'
also. lies with the faculty, the upper Grass
men and the alumni who neglect 70 en-
courage If not 70 demand the spirit OF true
workmanship. The condition whlch Inc
vale Alumni Weekly" deplores obtains at
colleges where lack Of funds precludes the
employment Of a professional coach II
IS absurd to presume. then, that the IN
fuence Of a professional baseball coach is
of more potent force In directing the eth'cS
If snort than the influence OF the captain
the president, the faculty and the Alumni
who take an active interest Ihe trouple
lies I'm the fact that the influence or the
latter group is not properly directed. In
most cases the only interest Of faculty
members I'm athletic activities lies In
,,roaobinp, for the unatte nable and then
.,oiro, bacI, 20 their Greek and Latin with
Tho ealf-centred feeling that their full duty
&c done The professional coach Us needed
ror what he can teach; his influence out
sido Of that can make for good or evil
aocording 10 the interest or lack OF inter-
est in bis work. The professional coach Ut
trainer who abuses his privileges ana per-
r,,its cxcesses for the sake OF winning no
matter what the cost, can be oiscoNereu
without much searching and SHOULD oe
,,.esdad ont in double quick time. Once
roore II may he emphasized: Professional
coaching and training need regula'loh alo
not stamping out. In this way the question
can be solved. ...
Co far the wrestlers have not been tun-
hing over each other to challenge HouSef
Mabmout for the heavyweight title so
easily acquired as a gift from FRANK Iolc1, 30
ant Waiti There IS sure TO be pienIs -,
toiI, ~ nothing else, even though 'hdck
declares he will ignore the Iurk'
Soma suorting critics question the rlght
of Gotch to sell or hand over the u'e as
u II were box of cigars. but so Tar as
can see no other way was open 70 ofing
bacl, properly inro competition. If the
championship had been cast openly on tne
market three men at least-Mahmout' Hack
enscbmidt and Zbyszko-wouid have lald
claim TO it, That over, they would nave
shouted defiance, while carefuily aVoluiis
each other lust so long as the deiudeu pup
H. would pay for so-called championship
bctts here. there and everywhere with sec
ond raters Under Gotch's plan the SUI.
yiyal of the flttest' can more quickly DC
accomplished.
Personally I do not think Gotch mace
wise selection in spite of the confidence ne
shows in his own judgment by Offering TO
hack Mahmout for $4,000. Zbyszko defeat
cd Mahmout in two straight falls last
March 20. and IL strikes me that HacKen-
schmidt Is a better man than the foie'
In denouncing the American college game
of football in the current issue of The
Medical Record" DR.. Morris Joseph cur
man says:
II 10 a strange yet significant fact that Of
III tbs collage Sports, including DaSeDalI,