The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-19
WASHBURN'S ILLS
Old Football Stars Discuss Grid
iron Situation.
Coaching System Is Not Blamed
for Poor Showing.


May contains special department de-
voted to football in which some of
the old Ichabod stars give their views
on athletic conditions and tell what
they think is the matter with their
alma mater. The department is call
ed a Football Clinic" and DIR. Glen
Millice, E. A. Burkhart. Geo. H White,
DR.. Robert Stewart, Osborne Larimer
and L. NJ. Jones are the operating sur
geons
Most of these loyal Washburn men
seem to think the trouble with the
Ichabod teams during the last few
years has been lack of material and
unjust regulations rather than ineffi-
cient coaching and a lack of interest
on the part of the students.
Glen Millice seems to think the old
Grads have rot done their duty in
sending in new material and suggests
that Washburn might improve condi-
tions by adopting the system used by
Nebraska to get football men.
George White who has kept in as
close touch with sports as any other
ex-Washburn athlete goes into the
ailments of the school in detail and
expounds the theory that the losing
habit has become chronic. He says
in part:
Whites Analysis.
roll at the college of bad football
reputation. 1t must be admitted that,
however stalwart or speedy, raw ma
terial can not be whipped into a con-
tending team in the class in which
Washburn has, or did have, ambition
experienced in the game and proven
of worth must be had. 1t is no more
reasonable to send raw recruits into
college football than to enroll litter
ates in college study courses. They're
not ready to go the pace.
'Washburn got to losing; had a los
ing year, and another.
THE boys of the preparatory
schools thruout Washburn's natural
tributary territory, with minds open
well aware of it. Their minds were
impressed with Washburn's losing
and at the same time with others
winning-and they were the boys who
prepared for college football as well
as college studies.
They wanted to go to a college or
university where, If they could make
the team, they would be winners, earn
the honor of playing on a victorious
team, have something to be proud OF
certainly legitimate ambition. They
would try for the best team they
thought they possibly could make.
'Washburn losing, losing could not
appeal to them as the place to cast
! their lot, and the more and longer
Washburn lost, the fewer PROMISING
football down-grade has an acceler-
ator in every lost game-and it is
likely to require as many won as lost
to get back to the top of the pile
DR.. Stewards Views.
DR.. Stewart who was medical sup
ervisor of the team last season and
who knows all the ms and outs of
conditions as they are today expressed
the utmost confidence in DIR. Ken
nedy's ability to turn out a winning
team if given the proper material and
says that the great handicap lies in
Along this line he says:
THE most important reason why
Washburn is hopelessly down and out
in football is the existence of the rule
excluding freshmen from intercol-
legiate games. The freshman rule was
needed a number of years ago in the
fight against professionalism in col
lege athletics, but the rule has outlivcd
its day of usefulness. 1t is a signifi-
cant fact that most all colleges in the
Kansas conference play their first year
men against Washburn. There is A
rule in this organization permitting
colleges with an enrolment under a
given number to play their freshmen
in all contests
Other Opinions.
"Oz" Larimer is of the opinion that
conditions would be better if there
were not so much social interference
and L. M. Jones thinks there should
be more cooperation from the organ
izations on the Hill" e. A. Burk-
hart, an old Ichabod halfback, says a
good, red blooded field secretary to
get out and stir Up football enthusiasm
for Washburn college, would be one of
the best paying propositions the school
could undertake, and there are many
who believe his suggestion is most
excellent one
1t is not expected that much can be
done while the war lasts. but the frank
opinions of the "Old Boys shows that
they realize conditions and the space
given to the subject in the bulletin
indicates at Doctor Kennedy will have
some real, honest-to-goodness CO.
operation when national conditions re-
turn to such a state that every one can
again devote his attention to affairs