New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-24

the Blue and White. It was the open
ing contest OF the season, and while
certain faults were apparent they were
not grievous.
Defeating the Poly team and winning
prominence in the intercollegiate Bas-
ketball League are, however. two sepa-
rate and distinct things. Hence the
next few games will be watched by Co
lumbia men with keen interest.
Leonard Clever Player
Leonard, who is holding forth at
centre a. present. is a clever player
He is fast and aggressive, an indefati
gable worker and accurate in the ex.
treme in his basket shooting. He lacks
weight, however, and may find the
going pretty rough when he meets some
Of the bigger teams. Leonard jumps
we'll, covers a vast lot of territory in a
game and is generally around when
needed TO do something worth while.
La Tour and Roberts are the for
wards who have shown TO best advan-
tage in practice Both men are vet
Grams Of the 1915 squad and are on
their game. Their combination work is
all that could be asked. Ferer. for
mer New York University player, IL
one Of the first string guards. Farrell,
a husky, capable individual, holds the
other guard position.
Katz and Beagher are the second
string forwards, while Newman, Baxter
ard Gordon are fighting it out for a
berth. Alexander, a brother OF Arthur
Alexander, who was quite a basketball
, player some years ago, is second
choice at centre.
The varsity team has had little
trouble in defeating the second team in
the practice games, but whether this is
due to the strength of the varsity or
the weakness of the scrub has not yet
been determined. The squad a S whole
IS accurate in shooting baskets. and
Leonard is little short of deadly in his
accuracy at caging goals from the foul
mark.
The first string men are pretty light
but Coach Merner believes that this
disadvantage can be overcome by speed
and team work.
Merner, who succeeded Harry Fisher
when the latter resigned last fall, il
capable instructor Of wide experience
He was graduated from Iowa State
Normal School and from the Spring
field Y. VI. c. A. College. lie was coach
at Kansas State College in baseball
| track, football and basketball, and de-
veloped some fast teams.
! Guy S. Lowman, of the department
! Of physical education at Indiana Uni
versity, stands sponsor for Merner. In
4 l.. l.
81 have known and followed the work
/ of Mr.. Merner since the time he was q
student al Iowa State Normal School
In that institution he made a record In
/ track, football and basketball, holding
/ the quarter-mile record in track. Also
he was picked for all-Iows halfback in
/ 1909.
"He was captain Of the basketball
team there in his last year and made a
record in that sport later at Spring
field, Mass, in the School of Physical
Education. He received honorable men
ton in New England both as basket
ball and football player.
"Mr. Merner WAS my chief assistant
at the Kansas State Agricultural Col.
lege for three years. He was varsity
coach in track, freshman football coach
and, the last two years. had full charge
OF the varsity basketball team, al.
though | acted in the capacity of head
coach in all sports. Mr.. Merner's work
was satisfactory in every way.
Last winter his team was considered
10 be the best in the Missouri Valley,
winning fifteen out OF eighteen games
I and showing perfect team work. There
IS no question concerning his ability
In basketball"