The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-12-24
Fraternity for Athletes
To Be Founded at Indiana

Bloomington. Ind. Dec. 24.-1n-
diana university will have the honor
ard distinction of being the mother
chapter of a new honorary athletic
fraternity known as Sigma Delta Psi,
which probably will be instituted in a
great many universities and colleges
Throughout the United States within
tho next four months. George Fitch.
the noted humorist. of 'Siwash" fame;
President William Lowe Bryan and
Dr. G. p. Hutchins of the university
arc responsible for the origin of the
new fraternity. Its purpose is to
bring recognition to tho all-round uth-
lrs". n it may he commonly called
the Phi Beta Kappa OF athletics. The
members of the faculty of Indiana
university have unanimously agreed to
found Il chapter here at once. and it
vii, be known as the Indiana univcr-
sitv chapter.
In Mr.. l'itch's address to the Indi-
:Ia students last year he mentioned
having read i'm foreign correspondence
ti'at SwedDn had n system for encour
aSins a1Arround physical development
IF the 1oung men of that country. He
said II vas a very fine thing for Il
country like Sweden and believed it
could he made useful in America.
President. Byran and DIR. IIutchins
were much impressed with Mr.. Fitch's
ideas. and Immediately set to work to
devise II scheme that would be adapt
able to American college work. DR..
Bryan. through Secretary of State
Knox. obtained a copy of the regula-
tons of the system as 1t was being
carried out in Sweden. 1t was sent to
him in h Swedish language and was
later translated into English.
The Swedish plan proved to be a
country league. we'll adapted to the
1pa1S nf that s.nllv,try lint {v1, 49, NJ
cable here. From this suggestion.
however. Sigma Delta Psi had birth.
The general scheme of the application
of all-round physical proficiency to
american collegians Dr. IIutchins
promulgated. taking counsel with the
members Of the Society of Directors
Of Physical Education in colleges for
gest as Il proper standard in all the
events. This has taken six months.
The motto of the fraternity trans
lated from the Greek. means the
body. the servan of the mind" DIR.
Bryan has written to the presidents of
tho great universities concerning the
organization and DR.. IIutchins has
physical training for their views in
regard to 1t. In reply to these letters
six or eight universities have signiticd
their intention of taking hold at once
and a number of others arc strongly
in favor Of it. A copy OF the consti.
tuition is now In tho printers hands.
and will appear from tho press in Il
few days. AS Don as the constitution
can be printed copies will be sent IL
the various colleges and universities
asking II those who are willing to
found a chapter at once can meet in
indianapolis during tho Christmas
holidays to discuss 1t and perfect plans
for operation.
President Bryan in speaking Of the
new fraternity said: ~ nm heartily
in favor of 1t. as II Will give more n
enlargement to %all-round physical de-
vclopmcnt than has heretofore been
given. which I believe il one of tho
greatest steps toward physical cduca-
<inn."
lDr. Hutchins has worked zcalOusly
!8er the past three months i'm balancing
Si,c relation Of tho different events aud
~ perfcrting the constitution and by
laws. In speaking "f il he said: ~
have. had more sati*fartinn In WORK
AiE ont the i'r"blcm "f Stigma urlt,