The log cabin Democrat., 1916-11-02
HENDRIX POSITION
 IN ATHLETIC FIELD PROF. RUSSELL WRITES
Explains Why Association Rules Would Debar Game With State
 Normal School.

Editor Log Cabin Democrat:
 l read with interest the column in last Tuesdays daily concerning the proposed game of football between Hendrix College and the Arkansas State Normal. 1 have no desire to enter into any discussion in regard to this game, but l think it is due the public, the State Athletic Asso- clatlon and the two institutions con- cerned that some statements be made.
 The Arkansas Athletic Association Ewas organized II years ago with six schools as members, three of these being colleges. Its first president was from Henderson College and the sec ond was o. D. Longstreth of the State Normal, who held this posi- tion until he retired from teaching
 The association has steadily grown until its present membership con sists of 54 of the strongest high schools in the state, three agricul- tural schools and five colleges. This association was organized for the purpose of fostering clean, whole some, amateur athletics among the schools and colleges. It adopted as It's standard for an amateur athlete that given by the American Athletic Union, one of the strongest athletic organizations in the world. An amateur, according to this union, is one who takes part in athletic con- tests solely for the exercise and the love of the sport and when he re- ceives any remuneration or reward for his athletic services he ceases to be an amateur and is barred from amateur contests. This has come to be the standard of almost all athletic associations composed of schools and colleges in America. Those who are familiar with conditions in our state at the time the association was or ganized fully appreciate the good that has been accomplished by it.
 Hendrix College was one of the first members of the Arkansas Ath- letic Association. Her presidents and faculty have believed in the high standard the association set and have encouraged the athletic committee and the students in supporting it. So far as 1 know, every high school in the association believes in this standard and is gladly living up to it. Hendrix College feels that she would violate the ethics imposed upon her by her position as an in- stitution of higher education engaged in training men and women to fill responsible positions in the state, if she should set up a lower standard on any question that pertains to school work than that maintained by the high schools from which she draws her students and for which she prepares teachers.
 As l have said, the colleges help to organize our association. They have always had a fair representa- tion on it's executive committee and have furnished many of the officers. They have been given perfect free and ;n settling all questions that per tain strictly to the colleges. The on- ly general demand made has been that all members live up to the am ateur requirement. Some of the colleges of the state have desired a and have become dissatisfied with the association and have withdrawn from it. This has brought about the situation that caused President Allen to make his ruling published in Tuesdays Log Cabin Democrat con- corning games between members of the association and non-members. No college that is member, so far as l can learn, has been given permls- sion this year to play one that IS not member of some athletic associa- tion of recognized standing; but l do know that some have failed to get permission and on that account have cancelled games that were already scheduled.
 Which is the more reasonable course to expect, that Hendrix Col lege go before the executive commit tee ana dSh tiitI lS bc pSi " play a game when there are no ex- tenuating circumstances whatever, such as a previous contract, on which to base this request, and when this request, if granted, would have to be granted contrary to the rules of the president made to guide him in administering the law of the associa- tion and based on the rules of the association, or to ask that the State Normal join some athletic association of good standing and strict amateur rules and thereby place it's influence on the side of clean amateur sport will undertake to say that the game this year will be played, if the Normal joins such an association.
 A school without being a member