New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-01
DUTY OF COLLEGE
TO ITS ATHLETES
DR.. Young, of Cornell,
Points Out Engrossing
Interest in Sports.
PUTS ALL STUDENTS
ON COMMON FOOTING
Insists That Care Must Be Exer-
ciSed in Selecting Coaches
for Various Teams.

The Society Of the Directors OF Physical
Education held it's annual meeting in the
Faculty Club Of Columbia University yes
terday. There were three sessions. morn
ing. afternoon and evening, and practical
ly every topic imaginable concerning ath-
ietic sports and physical education in the
colleges was discussed.
DR.. Charles V. p. YMng director OF
physical education at Cornell created
great deal OF interest with a paper on
The Duty OF the University 10 Its Ath-
letes."
1t seems TO me-" said Professor Young.
that in the face Of the tremendous de-
velopment OF the movement and the
entrance OF athletics into the very warp
and woof Of college life, an attitude OF
indifference can no longer be maintained
nor can responsibility for their conduct
and for the character OF the training 10
which large number Of students are
subjected be disclsimed.
"Decry the fact as we will, 1t cannot DC
denied that athletics are the most en-
crossing interest OF the undergraduate
body and furnish the one topic OF dis
cussion in which, broadly speaking, all
students meet upon a common footing II
is upon or from the athletic field that the
students get many Of their ideas Of honor
and fair play so that probably no one VIII
question the statement that 1t is the atm
letic field more than any other one innu-
ence which constitutes the college or UNI
versity laboratory for the development OF
character.
IF. as has been asserted again ana
again, the acquisition Of knowledge is
secondary aim in education TO the devei-
opnoent Of a "sure and keen sense OF
honor" then how important 1t is that
the coach or athletic instructor should be
selected. or his selection passed upon, by
those whom the parents rightfully hold
responsible for the training and develop
ment Of their boys! And yet, as a matter
Of fact. this particular function is in
large number OF cases delegated TO the
students themselves, or placed In the
hands of a body of irresponsible alumni
THE psychologist tells us that at about
the college age we pass rapidly Cor not
&c the case may be,) through phases OF
DEVELOPMENT that our semi-civilized ana
barbarous ancestors emerged from slowly
md laboriously after generations ana
centuries of upward struggle. Whether
that is a potent factor or not, 1t is not
unnatural that in his play. segregated as
he is under the conditions peculiar to
school and college life, the American
youth should be headstrong and SELF
sufficient: that he should be eager TO dis
tinguish himself by Seats Of strength and
endurance and, for the time being, should
be animated by narrow and distorted
views.
in his zeal for victory, the great end OF
all things as he sees II, what wonder II
al times doubtful and discredited methods
should seem admissible. and foul mean
fair, The exaggerated importance OF ath-
letic supremacy TO the student mind and
It's effect upon student ideals is still fur
Their aggravated by the hysteria of an UNI
thinking public, and by the undue promi-
hence accorded the contests and the In
dividual contestants by an injudicious
press
"These considerations do not in any
way lessen the difficulty Of the problem
TO be faced by educators. but they GER
tainly do, TO my mind. emphasize the
strategic importance Of intercollegiate
athletics as a means of training young
men I'm those qualities of manhood and
citizenship which constitute the very
sbre OF nations greatness.
81 for one do not believe that the abo-
htion OF intercollegiate contests at this
time would be wise or expedient even II
practicable, but do believe that the only
justification for their continuance Is to
be found in the fact that, by creating
widespread interest in athletic forms Of
exercise and by instilling into the boys
and young men high standards of honor
and fair play, they contribute directly and
profoundly to their all-around develop
ment
III is a question therefore whether in
tercollegiate athletics have justified them
selves I'D 10 this time, except in so far as
they have served as an outlet for youth
ful exuberance and animal spirits.
stud. ,nts must be made 10 realize that
intercollegiate athletics are not an end
in themselves but are merely incidental
IN the general system Of physical train
ing: that a team Is selected from laree
number OF students who are engaged IN
that particular form OF sport. and is given
special care and attention by the IN
structor. with the assistance, II may be-
~ volunteer coaches and assistants. as
representing the institution and the sys-
tenn OF training employed. and not as rep
resen,ing the ability Of coach or pro-
fessional athletic trainer TO develop and
mould into a winning aggregation few
athletes who have been corralled from va
rious preparatory schools.
Or W. G. Anderson, physical director
al Yale spoke on breathing and Re
breathing Lung Air. Which Is Supplied
with Pure Oxygen" and showed his fell
low directors by charts and tables that a
man can continue 20 rebreathe the air
which has been discharged from his lungs
for not more than minute and half,
after which he begins to faint or aXphyx-
iation ensucs
This. he said. illustrated the necessity OF
proper ventilation, especially Of gymna-
Sums where the carbon dioXide and
moisture discharged from the body were
very great
Professor r. r. Carpenter explained the
Use TO which the new Hitchcock Field al
Amherst College Is being put. Gymna-
stun classes work three times a week on
the field iE rain or shine. said DIR. Car
penter. ir all except the most inclement