Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-10-28
HIGH SCHOOL TO
ABOLISH FOOT
BALL NEXT YEAR?
Poor Patronage and Lack of
Interest Reason Assigned by
Manager Hill.
A. A. BADLY IN THE HOLE
Renewal Of Athletic Relations With
Davenport and Moline Correct
Solution.

From present indications football in
Rock Island high school will be abol-
ished at the end OF the 1913 season,
according to a statement made by
Manager A. G. Hill today. Lack of
interest and poor attendance is re-
sponsible for the drastic move.
The support given this years eleven
has been the poorest in the history
of the institution. The gridiron sport
this year has proved a losing prop
osiuon. Last Saturday after the re-
ceipts had been counted, It was learn.
ed that Rock Island was nearly $50
IN the hole. At the Macomb Normal
game the deficit was over $50. AS
regards the Princeton game. the early
start may have cut down the attend
ance considerably. The contest was
begun just one hour earlier than is the
custom, and the failure TO place the
starting time on the posters was re
sponsible IN a measure.
The early start excuse cannot be ad-
vanced for other contests, however,
and unless the Is an appreciable
increase in patronage, football in the
local institution will be doomed
There are just two more games at
home-Rockford high on Nov. 16, and
Peoria Manual on Turkey day
HILL EXPLAINS.
Manager Hill, in speaking OF the
matter. said: IT the paid attendance
at the remaining games does not take
a sharp increase. there will be no
home games scheduled for the high
school next year, and there is even a
possibility that football will be entire
ly eliminated. Last year the students
we're dissatisfied because OF The small
percentage OF home games This year
We accommodated them, and The result
IS heart breaking. There are too
many people who get into the games
Via the back fence route, while on
the other hand there are only a few
who pay actual admission and turn
out 10 support the team. Something
must be done. that is certain"
Manager Hill is entirely correct in
his statements as regards football in
the high school this year. but the
poor patronage and lack of interest
is not a new discovery The same
conditions have prevailed for several
years past and "ill probably continue
until the real remedy is applied.
No INCENTIVE.
Before football relations with No.
line and Davenport high schools we're
severed. there was never a lament as
10 poor attendance or lack of interest
The retrogression was begun when
Davenport withdrew from the field and
the climax came with the breach be-
tween the local and Moline institu.
tions
Take away the tri-city championship
race and the team has no incentive
and no gate receipts. The students
to not get out and try for the team
aud they do not support il by theil
presence at games In the old days
all expenses were cleared with a neat
surplus on the credit side of the ledger
from either the Moline or Davenport
contest Rock Island meets Moline
and Davenport on the track and or
the basket ball floor. Why not foot
ball?
BREACH ABSURD.
The unfortunate death OF a Daven
port young man following a football
contest between the Iowa and Illinois
institutions a number OF years agC
was extremely unfortunate. but the in
cident had no connection whateve
with the football game. Two Rocl
Island men we're driving homewar,
after the game. A Davenport youni
man. I'm no way connected with tn,
Davenport high school, attempted u
grab the red and gold colors of tn
whip stock. His leg was caught ii
the wheel and he was killed almos
instantly. None OF the principals wer
remotely connected with either higI
school.
AS regards the Moline controversy
IL is simply another case OF misundei
standing A certain Moline man.
member Of the board in the Plow CITY
attempted 20 go on the field when hi
son was injured in the game Tn
police put him OF. not knowing wh
he was. The incident Of Rock Islant
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