The Washington times., 1917-12-23
By SOL METZGER,
Coach W. and ]. Football Eleven.

C0ach w. ana j. r0Otoail EleNens
Now that we know this country
not only wants but needs sport dur
ing this war, because athletics pro-
vide relief and recreation, build up
moral and physical strength, and
may be made to produce patriotic
funds, it is but natural to wonder
Just what forms sport is to assume
as we become more and more deeply
engrossed in our fight for victory.
At this time it is impossible to tell
Just what definite forms sport is to
assume should the war continue for
some years. One may but guess.
Conditions and influences are so con-
stantly changing that it is most diff
ficult to put ones hands on some
thing tangible and permanent in or
der TO base even a conjecture.
Our larger institutions OF learning
have widely different views and have
practiced widely different forms OF
sport during this college year. With
some there is a crying need for inter
collegiate competition; with others
military training has not only an
swered this demand but filled Tar
higher purpose as we'll
Even our two service academies
may be said to have different views
relative to the immediate future Of
athletics. When 1 was at west Point
early in November the leenng was
that football with college elevens was
having its last days until peace came.
A month later the Naval Academy
was planning for another season.
Here the view is held that intercolle-
giate sport serves a needed local pur-
pose in keeping the middies busy
within bounds.
No Hope of n Game.
But at neither academy is there any
hope Of an Army-Navy game until
the war is over. The mere fact that
the coming together OF so many Off
GERS and future officers a. such a
spectacle offers too great an oppor.
tunity for disaster at the hands OF a
fanatic-in other words OF a German
is sufficient to prevent such a con
test being approved during this war
even il it were sought by the acade-
mics. -
III dLbN as 10 Nlldl
form college sport will assume as the
war continues one finds no aid from
either the financial or patriotic side
In the matter OF money about every
thing that was possible happened dur
ing the recent football season. Teams
went bankrupt, others reaped a gold
en- harvest, one the biggest year in
its history, and still others had an
average budget. Receipts, on the
whole. were away below normal
From a patriatic standpoint about
has happened also. Some
elevens created opportunities for
playing for patriotic funds, others &C
cepted offers to do so, still others
made no effort in this direction and
one class went so far as to refuse
even the chance. Too much cannot
be said in condemnation of the latter.
One can get nowhere in the matter |
OF what form sport, and more parti- |
cularly college sport, r. to follow, by !
the usual method OF procedure. An
analysis Of intercollegiate sport today |
proves beyond all doubt that this ma |
tion is considerably off its normal |
track. What then can we seize upon |
to aid in forming a conclusion as to |
what is to be done in college sport? |
Will Close Up shop.
The whole matter is held in abey-
ance until the country makes a deci-
sion about the draft. II the age limit |
is lowered TO eighteen or nineteen 1
years intercollegiate sport as we
have known il in the past and as il /
was followed this year. is both a 1
relic OF the past and a hope OF the 1
future II will close up shop. Indeed, |
most of the colleges will be forced TO |
20 likewise. Those which keep their
doors open under such a condition will /
be those supported almost entirely |
by endowment or by appropriation.
But the question OF continuing in
tercollegiate sport during war is not
all a question OF the minimum draft /
age. There is the patriotic note-the /
inability of alma mater or blood |
mother to prevent their sons under
draft age from doing their bit" as
the war increases in intensity. Young
men under draft age Of good red |
blood won't long keep out. And col
ege athletes hSye mighty good red
blood.
Then what kind of athletics are we
% have! What part can our college
athletic instructors play in the new
world which war has createdl .
Undoubtedly we will go ahead with
Dur school and club sports What
We do relative 10 professional sport.
rlore particularly baseball is not so
? Ital a matter. Professional sport.
! lstorically and as 1t now exists, has
'4rely been n factor in national ply
'iesl preparedness. While Il may at
o4d some recreation and relief from