Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-07-18
FRESHMAN RULE
SHOULD STICK
CLAIMS MURPHY
Coach Be
lieves Ban Should Not
be Lifted.

Chicago, July 18LThe proposal for
9repeal of the rule prohibiting fresh
men from playing on college football
$teams has brought ou an opponent
IN the person Of Coach Fred Murphy,
r Northwestern University, although
only five or Northwestern's twenty
two regulars are expected back this
fall.
Murphy thinks that one poor sea-
son might stimulate the game later.
Noticing considerable discussion
Favorable to- the abolition Of the
FRESHMAN rule in conference as spon-
ssored by Indiana, l wish to register
my protest, against action as being in
furious to the best interests Of ath-
2letics.
"The freshmen rule has proven it
self one of the best rules ever put on
the books, doing away with a great
many evils that were. running ath-
letlcs into disrepute. Let down the
bars and the coach who does not
tour the country PROSECUTING high
school athletics is going to be left
completely in the lurch when the sea-
son opens.
1--WE at Northwestern have lost as
large a percentage Of our regulars as
! any institution in. the conference, and
the loss of a good man is more seri-
GUS to US than to a state institution
because GU are SO much
more limited and the difference be-
tween our regulars and substitutes is
greater.
the coming season under the present
time, m granting that there will be
a dearth of the old stars, it means
that this season only will b~e<subcali-
bre for it is certain that if there are
not many good men available, then
surely there will be only a small loss
by graduation. next June. With the
hence, we will then be back to pretty
near normal again.
NOV what will be the result If we
aboragate the freshman rule? Those
war favor this action admit the rule
is a good one, and only advocate the
change for the present emergency
h result can only be continued good
football this season and a postpone
ment of the poor season to the time
when they put the rule back on the
books, and thus have to deprive
themselves Of one-fourth of their
strength. Under either system there
is bound to be one poor season.
But the principal objection lies in
another direction. The advocates OF
are willing to pay he price Of all
the evils that they are conscious the
freshman rule was aimed at.
IF the freshman rule should be
abolished for the sake Of good foot
ball" why not other rules, such as.
the rule regarding amateurs who not
with the best talent let down the
scholarship requirements, and make
this the banner year or good FOOT
ball. Il,
THE trouble seems to reside in that
failure to distinguish between what
Is good football" and what is good
in football,
zone of the other is going to suffer
this season. Can we not better sacri-
fee good football that the other
may yet live?
IT Is my opinion that the good in
football will be enhanced by some
sacrifice Of good football for I be
lieve 1t will put football on a more
informal basis and will bring out for
the teams a great many men who
otherwise would not come out, be-
u they did not think they had any
chance. -
1The good in football is often OBJ
scured by the bitterness of the COM
petition, and its dissemination is like
wise restricted to a few, because Of
their superior efficiency.
believe much good will arise
from the ashes of a season Of poor
football and I am sure that much.
harm would follow the abrogation Of
the freshman rule"