Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-02-28
SCHOLARSHIP QUESTION UP
Shall Athlete in College Draw a
Scholarship or Not, Again
Before Authorities.
AND AGAIN THEY DISAGREE

NEW YORK, Feb 27.-For a number of
seasons there has been a debate waged
between graduates Of a number Of leading
universities which has never broken into
print 1t concerns the degree OF encour-
agement which may property be extended
by a university to young men who show
themselves competent in preparatory
school sport.
The two or three institutions, graduates
of which are inclined to debate the SUBJ
ject whenever they get together to talk
over last years foot bali games, are all
sufficiently assured in their position, 20
that no one of them questions the right
Of another to regulate its own affairs.
For this reason 1t does not seem likely
there will ever be any official disagree.
ment on the subject But the debate Is
interesting nevertheless.
Isn't 1t true that a number Of the
players who have been most prominent
on your teams in the last few years have
been in receipt OF an amount OF money
large enough to pay all their expenses?'
asks the opposition.
ut is true that some of the men who
have been prominent as athletes have
been in receipt OF scholarships" Is the
answer. But they have received this aid
not because they are athletes, but because
they conform in character and other
qualities to certain standards which have
been set down as eligibility requirements
for the particular scholarship funds from
which they receive income"
worthy of the Honor. -.-
THERE'S not much room for questioning
the fact that in the cases referred to the
students who have received scholarship
aid have been the type Of men who could
properly have been granted scholarships
regardless of their athletic ability. Never
theless It is far from certain that they
would have been granted scholarships had
they not been able to give an exception
ally good account OF themselves on the
athletic field.
Defenders OF the proposition maintain
that the propFiety of granting tho assist
ance which has been extended IL fully
covered in the original bequest OF the
FUNDS which are used for the purpose.
''For character. fair ability, influence
among the undergraduates community and
promise Of future usefulness" they say.
fully covers the case Of q prospective
freshman foot ball player who Ii capable
OF passing his examinations. but who
needs the assurance OF financial assist
anoe In order to make his prospects as
an undergraduate assured.
All Schools After Athletes.
In the particular cases OF such assist
ance which have been referred to. there
can be no question that the individuals
who have been helped have deserved the
aid which has been extended. They will
probably prove useful citizens in after
iifs, but It Is open to question whether
they would have found the obtaining Of a
degree so easy a matter had they not
been 50 proficient in athletics. Aud that
Is the danger OF the whole propaganda.
All college athletic authorities find IL con
venient to enlist new students who can
be counted upon to acquit themselves as
members of teams.
The supply OF youngsters who can be
counted upon from the dual viewpoint OF
character and athletic ability is limited.
After the supply OF charactered recruits
stops with the first few leaders among the
colleges, are the others going TO stop their
aid to athletes because the material is
not up to character requirementsf