Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-28
ATHLETICS AT NAVAL ACADEMY
HELP DEVELOP GOOD OFFICERS
Conditions Encountered in intercollegiate
Competition Do Much to Foster the Es-
sential Attributes of Naval Character.

!
to their country. The valuable at
tributes to be acquired through parti-
cipation in athletics are especially en-
phasized in order that the men may
more readily gain the essentials of
naval character, which are nothing
more nor less than those qualities
WHICH determine control of ones self,
subordination of self to plan, immola-
ton of the individual in the upbuilding
of the whole, the ability to direct, lead
and control others. and withal retain
the admiration and respect of the
ranks.
Foster Competition Between Ships.
Not only do those that participate in
athletics at the academy find as much
worth the essential principles of all
athletics as applied TO later life, but
there is direct application of their
knowledge. Competition between ships
is fostered by the Navy Department as
one of the best methods Of keeping up
battle efficiency. Every effort is made
to stimulate the loyalty and enthusiasm
or the men. Each ship in the fleet main
tains uniformed foot ball. base ball,
basket ball, track, swimming, rifle, box
ing and wrestling teams. The uniform
and equipment are provided by the
Navy Department. There are thirty
three perpetual challenge trophies in
the fleet, for which there is constant
a
excellence trophy is awarded the ship
with the best athletic record Thus
there is much opportunity for the grad
uate OF the Naval Academy to continue
ms participation in athletics and to give
his knowledge to the development of
successful teams to represent his ship.
In this connection 1t might be well to
state that very frequently the high
standard attained by ship in athletics
is coincident with the standing In ba
inc lot
by coordinate records in gunnery and
engineering competitions. The impor-
lance of athletics in the fleet may be
made known by stating that the ath-
direction of the fleet athletic officer.
who is a member of the staff of the
communicating chief, and whose status
Is the same as that of the fleet gunnery
officer or the fleet engineer.
The standard of athletics at the Naval
Academy and the aims and principles
embodied in their development were
well explained by the following reply
OF naval officer. when he was asked
directly concerning the attitude of the
officers and faculty at the academy
| toward the development of competitive
sports:
1--WE consider that there are particu-
lar essentials of the naval character
pest developed by participation in COM
petitive or intercollegiate. sports.
These are loyalty and subordination to
the plan. both of which are necessary
to teamwork in the fleet as on the ath-
letic field; iniative and decision both
essential to the successful officer; the
ability to handle men. self-control, de-
termination, persistency, dependability,
self sacrifice, quickness of perception
and the ability to think clearly and act
effectively under stress of conditions.
We have found these qualities are de-
veloped in Intercollegiate athletics as
nowhere else. and athletics occupy an
important place in our curriculum for
that reason.
There also are important secondary
effects of intercollegiate competition.
The midshipmen are inspired with 10y
atty to the team and to the academy,
and thus find a vent for enthusiasm
which might otherwise be misdirected
Another feature of considerable i'm
portance is that successful teams bring
the academy before the public and at
tract there an exceedingly desirable
class of young men. We consider the
value of particular sport and the ex-
tent to which it merits encoura cement
| by the degree in which it develops the
character Of the men. produces a last
| ing condition of bodily health. brings
| out a great number of midshipmen. and
/ stimulates the enthusiasm of the regi-
ment as a whole. I honestly believe
athletics to be the most important in
dividual department of the institu-
ton"
With such spirit of leadership there
| is no wonder that the mfdshipmen show
| the fine sportsmanship evident in all
l'their intercollegiate competition. At
| the Navay Academy visiting teams find
every possible courtesy. are rendered
| the hospitality of the regiment. and, in
short, are made to feel that they are
honored guest of the occasion. One
who knows conditions at the Naval
Academy is cognizant of the traditions
and fine spirit of the men. is familiar
with disadvantages met and overcome,
| cannot help but hold a feeling
| of respect and admiration for the men
| themselves and for the officers under
whose direction they go through their
daily routine.