New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-19
CREW CAPTAIN
DEFENDS RICE
Bratton Takes Exception
to Editorial Criticism Of
Columbia Coach.
By BRIGGS

Captain Norman Bratton, Of the CO.
lumbia varsity crew, came to the front
yesterday with a vigorous defence Of
Jim Rice and his methods of selecting
men for his crew, following an editorial
criticism OF the rowing coach and his
work in "The Spectator" last week.
"The Spectators" criticism was based
on letter written by n. o. lockwood.
graduate treasurer OF the crew, late in
the summer, in which he fayed the un-
dergraduates for their apathy and lack
OF enthusiasm.
Bratton substantiates the lockwood
statements that the undergraduate
sentiment is "let the other fellow do it,"
LET him who doubts" writes Brat
ton. Canvass a freshman class and de-
termine the number who are favor
able to crew. Oh, yes, practically all.
Are they willing to turn ont for the
crew? Assuerdly so. Then the call
comes for candidates. A large turn
out appears What they thought was
easy-merely pulling an oar througl
the water-they find is hard work, re
curing the severess kind of self-denial,
a combination of head work with physi-
cal work, and, in the first stages, sweat
ing blood and painting air faster than
they thought possible. What is the
consequence Very few are of the
sterling quality TO stand the test. Sud-
denly they find a class that interferes,
parental objections, they didn't get a
chance, they can't report regularly, and
other excuses that are perfectly ridicu-
Iona IN cOuar thar MI 70 fba-
The Spectators editorial version is
that the system is at fault Why? Be
cause unless a man shows exceptional
qualifications and ability in a short
while he is given absolutely no incen-
tive TO report or continue practice, and
is, in many cases, ridiculed and dis
couraged until the time ne is cut from
the squad. An illustration of the way
the system has worked out is found in
the fact that at least two men who
rowed on last years varsity crew were
in the freshman year discouraged from
rowing at all.
How many men show exceptional
qualifications in short while? One
out of hundred. IL takes four years
to develop an oarsman. The coaching
system TO develop this oarsman points
out his faults and how TO correct them.
II this constitutes 'ridicule and dis
enlargement surely the system should
be abandoned. No incentive is given
TO report and continue practice except
his own will, and its was the strength
of will and determination of those two
varsity men discouraged from rowing
at ALI that made them stick through
thick and thin, indoors and outdoors.
day after day for three long years I'M
I'll they made good. If this is discour-
agement let US hope that every man
that turns out for crew is discouraged.
OF the seventy freshmen who reported
last fall how many were physically
capable? Not per cent.
"Coach Rice Is master moulder of
physique and stamina. He builds up
crews from material that would be abb
solutely rejected at any other uni
versity. He instills in them the spirit
of fight. Every varsity man swears by
him. Every alumnus honors him. His
system produces these results. Shall
we abolish il? No, Let US take off
our hats to the Grand Old Man of the
rowing game!"