Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-11-09
MORE ATHLETIC INTEREST
Burlington Lacking in Such Di-
version for Its Young People.
speakers mt Annual Banquet OF u u.
q. T.. Athletic Association Say Or
rapizntions should stimulate
Interest In This Respect.

The arousing Of more interest in Bur
linCton along the lines Of general athlctlc
diversions for the citNs young people anu
the purchase of an athletic field, were al
voceted by the speakers at the second an
nua banquet and dance of the Athletic
association Of the /. O. y. #, which was
held last evening at odd Fellows hall
on church street. The speeches which
were delivered by the Rev. j. s Brakcr
pastor of the First Baptist Church of this
city, Prof. c. +. Burns. chairman of the
athletic committee of the University OF
Vermont. and 4. A. Twiss, secretary OF
nc association and manager of the or
eanzations baseball team during the past
season. were preceded by a fine banquet
served by the ladies of Beatrice Rebekah
Lodge. No 60, and were followed by dane
ing for which music was furnished by the
club orchestra of seven pieces. &. s. cas-
nvant acted as toastmaster and to ban
uuCt committee consisted Of George +.
Palmer. Fred Brainerd and Clayton Will
cox.
pr. Rrakor referred feclinCly to tho days
when he sped down the cinder path and
about the tennis courts of BuCknell col
leee. light as thistledown. the doctor, not
the courts and also mentioned the fact
that he captained varsity team for two
successive years, although he didn't say
whether II was the football or the base
bail team. The appearance of Big Six
Chris'v Mathewson on tho diamond and
gridiron at Buckneu somewhat dimmcd
Or Rrakors athletic glory, hut did not
make him Jealous. for he spoke very
pleasantly uf "Mathewson" day a his
alma matcr and advocated Ray col
Inns" day at Vermont. Tho speaker also
dWelt at length upon the true spirit Of
athleticism and in wishing tho organize
ton the best of success paid a hearty
tribute to George +. Cole. CAPTAIN Of the
baseball team and a prominent member
| Of the association since its orSauizat ton.
Professor Burns said that despite spas
modic efforts to arouse interest. BurlnC-
| ton seemed very dead along athletic lines
and that II was the business Of such or
"a nizatons as the Odd Fellows Athletic
association to stimulate interest. Tho rea I
| value Of Athletics arose, he said. from it's
unifYing effect on the members Of any
| organization. and this spirit could not he
aroused in any other way. He recon-
! mended that the association secure its
own athletic field and mentioned some Of
/ the BENEFITS which might he derived from
such ownership and deplored the fact that
! the city provided no such recreation
ground for its young people.
! \. \. TwiSs, secretary Of tho assoCia o.
tion, reviewed its history since its orCani-
zation in 1913. The association now has
| approximately lG members and in add
ton to main aiming baseball team. holds
/ an annual field day and may place a has
! kethall team in the field this winter. Mr..
Twiss stated that tho association was
| heartily in favor Of purchasing an ath-
letic field. but tho plan presented many
difficulties, although all hoped that the
project would finally prove successful.