The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-01-04
SEES EVIL FROM
PRO- ATHLETICS
WALTER EckERsALL NOT IN FA.
VOR OF RESOLUTION PER.
MITTING SUMNER BASE
BALL PLAYING.

| Chicago. ILL.,, Jan. 4.-The resolution
now being considered by the athletic
boards of control at the western con-
ference colleges to PROFESSIONALISM ali
branches of sport when college is not
in session has aroused a lot of adverse
criticism from different alumni, who
assert amateur rules no longer will
be necessary for the control of cole
gate athletics.
Summer baseball resulted i'm the res
olution, and il college athletes arc al
lowed TO play baseball i'm summer it
will not be right for those who spe-
cialize in other branches to be deprived
Of opportunities to make money in
their chosen profession. To profess
sionalize one sport is sure to result In
the professionalization of other
branches. and II the resolution now be-
ing considered is passed. amatcurism
no longer will exist and professional
ism and muekerism win be the DOM
inant factors, declares Walter A. Eek
ersall, the well known football critic.
There are strong arguments in favor
Of summer baseball. and at present
there are athletic directors who en-
outrage their men to play baseball
They assert the experience acquired in
playing with and against men who
have played baseball for years enables
the college man To play much better
ball during the collegiate season. Some
directors claim that baseball is a mat
ter of business with some of the mon
who intend To keep on playing after
their college days end. These persons
assert playing baseball is no different
than studying law or medicine. or to
sell books upon his chosen profession
during the vacation periods.
Athletes who are allowed to run
races it which money is offered as
rrizes will forfeit their amateur stand |
ing with the bodies which control |
athletics outside of the coll
eges. and they also will forfeit their |
with organizations which |
control international competition. AS
! result, the athlete who wants to con
inue in the game after his collegiate
'areer will not take advantage of any
TO run in professional
aces.
There are many ways for track men
C make money Every year in some
tates races are run by fire teams of
he different small towns. The intense
ivalry which always exists at such af-
airs results in large sums OF money
icing spent TO secure the services of
he fastest runners. Large wagers al
Vays are made on such contests. which
re looked forward to every year with
lot of interest. Every small town
generally has a runner who is consid Is
red the superior of any man over GER
ain distances. The same thing exists I
= other towns. and quite "A number of !
ersons have been "jobbed" by the N
OF some crack runner. This a
ian is put TO work for a few days and a
race is framed up with the idol of q
ome nearly town. Money is bet and v
sually the imported athlete is the win Q
err
Since. its organization the western %
Inference or big Eight" composed G
Wisconsin. Minnesota, Chicago. III a
Iois. Indiana. Purdue, Iowa, and {
orthwestefA, las o,Ncys stcod for Il
lie highest ideals IN sport. is...o i've h
zen passed which have made the or
one of the strongest in the
'untry In the great majority of
ses the rules have been lived up to
ld the regulations which have been n.
lopted have been copied by other sim Of
lr organizations. Len
Although IL is not reasonable To be- n
we the boards of control viii sane !,
,n the movement there is a possible -,
Y Of the resolution being modified to ~
CHI an extent as TO PROFESSIONALISM
rtain branches OF the spot. such as :
seball. but to allow contestants in I'm
branches to use their athletic skill W
r gain during vacation time Is not lot
Getting with universal endorsement. IN