Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-10
BOWDOIN COLLEGE TO
HAVE COMPULSORY
ATHLETIC TRAINING


Brunswick, Me, Jan 9.-(Specian .-
The Bowdoin College Faculty Monday
night approved unanimously the new
plan for compulsory athletic training
at Bowdoin, and the system will so
into effect with the Freshman class
next fall At first one member Of the
iaculty alone opposed the plan as be-
ing possibly bit Teutonic in its COM
pulsory idea, but that member with
drew his objections when it was seen
that the rest of the Faculty was very
strongly in favor
The idea that Bowdoin should have
compulsory system Of athletic train
ing really originated in the student
body and although no name has thus
far been connected with the movement
1t is generally known that the man be-
mind the movement is Sherman n.
ShumWay ~ of Skowhegan, a member
OF the Student Council and captain of
last years football team. The plan
as proposed and approved is as fol-
lows l. All Freshmen shall be re-
CURED TO take some form of Physical
Training three hours a week. from the
second Monday of the collegiate year
until the Athletic Exhibition in March
,. All Freshmen shall be at liberty to
elect subject to the advice and an
prevail of the Department of Physical
Training. some form of athletic train
ing-track, baseball, football, tennis
or such sport as may be offered-and
shall pursue it from the second Mon
day of the Collegiate year until
Thanksgiving. If no one Of these
sports is elected, work in the gymna-
SUM shall be required. 3. All FRESH
men shall be required to take gym
nasium from Thanksgiving until
the Christmas vacation, unless per-
mission to pursue other sports is
granted the Department Of Ply
steal Training. A. All Freshmen
shall be at liberty to elect foot
ball, track baseball or such form of
sport as may be offered and shall
pursue it from Christmas vacation
until the Athletic Exhibition in March,
unless in the opinion of the Depart
ment of Physical Training further
work in the gymnasium is necessary
for their physical development
This plan as outlined is not as far
reaching as it might be or as it prob
ably will be after the system gets I'M
der way. The idea is to get started
IN such modest way that it could
not possibly fail. and then to expand
and have compulsory athletic training
for all the classes in college 1t is
felt, too that the equipment and the
funds available are not sufficient to
have the system extend beyond the
freshmen class. for the extra coach
ing and athletic equipment will make
the system expensive
BoWdoin expects great results from
the new system. The primary idea is
70 get more men engaged in athletic
ACTIVITIES. 1t has long been felt that
the plan OF hiring expensive coaches to
tram men who are already athletes
INTO better ones is a low ideal for the
athletic department of college. AS
desirable as winning Varsity teams
are, 1t goes without saying that the
big majority who sit in the bleachers
need the training most. and not the
men who are already athletes. II is
football toys that the new system is
AIMED, and II 1t ca. get the men out
and get them interested in sports it
will have served its purpose. The old
system of compulsory gymnasium has
long been a farce so far as physical
development is concerned. and already
most Of the leading colleges of the
country have discarded it. Again. the
new plan should bring out greater
variety OF men for the Varsity SQUADS.
and under this plan it is hoped TO
have at least three or four scrub
teams on the field to practice with the
Varsity. and develop the raw material.
The system is by no means a new
one. Amherst Wesleyan and Will
liams are strong adherents of it and
report the system to be doing wonders
for their athletics. Among the other
colleges that have the plan in oper-
alton are Colgate. Middlebury, the
| University of Pennsylvania. Cornell
and the University of Wisconsin.
These institutions are strong expon-
ents of the plan. In fact it is found
that at least 40 per cent of the COL
leges and universities in the Carnegie
Foundation have adopted this system
with satisfying measure of success
At Bowdoin it bids fair to have an
equal success. for not only have the
Faculty unanimously indorsed it. but
every club and fraternity in college
voted in favor Of the system. The
plan should cure a multitude OF ath-
letic evils.