New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-07
Demand Investigation
of Rooney's Standing

tions on public Fairgrounds had been
declared professionals.
"If Rooney draws a salary from
corporation or from individuals as an
athletic instructor, or coach. or d.
rector Of athletics, he Is a professional
and the duty OF the National Associs-
ton of Amateur Oarsmen is clear In
the matter" said Pilkington. HE will
have 70 be ruled out OF amateur com
petition.
"Rooney's actual duties will decide
his standing with us. II he is just
guardian Of the park, % course he Is
no more of a professional than the
policemen who guard the peace and
dignity of our communities. IL, on
the other hand, he acts as a coach OF
the boys who play in his park, and is
classified by the Park Department A.
an instructor, we have only one course
open.
There was a similar case brought
10 our attention" continued Pilkington,
"and the man in question was declared
a professional He admitted that ne
acted as track coach and football
coach and received his salary for
doing so.
Pilkington Will Do Duty
ri never knew bow Rooney occupied
MIS- time in the on season. / know him
only as know hundreds OF other young
men who are rowing throughout the
country. The only time | ever met him
was after he had won the single soul
ling championship at the last national
regatta. | think he is a fine young
fellow, quiet, modest and retiring. He
is a Gacker-jack osrsman, too. and |
would regret being forced 10 take any
action that would shorten his career as
an amateur athlete. However, as presl-
dent of an association formed 20 foster
the best interests of rowing, | would
blind myself 20 all personalities and
work for the general good"
Another man who for years has been
closely identified with amateur rowing
said that the case of Rooney would be
investigated at once. He expressed his
surprise that the Ravenswood Boat
Club would harbor a man and certify
his entry il he were even remotely
suspected Of professionalism
THE case of Rooney is regrettsble,
more especially because of his promi-
nence in the rowing world" said this
man. But, prominent or obscure, II IL
can be proved that Rooney is a profes-
sional he will walk the plank. IL Is
not the first time that the National As
ISOLATION of Amateur Oarsmen has been
forced TO bar men from competing in
its regattas, and it PROBABLY will not be
the last tins. The temptation for
man 10 capitalize his athletic ability is
strong, but nevertheless we must rule
our sport with an iron hand, strike
firmly for clean amateurism, or perish
"lf Rooney is employed as a gymns-
SUM instructor or athletic coach Of
any kind he is a professional, and moth
ing will save him. II, however, he IL
employed by the Park Department ss
an attendant, and his work is not con-
| nected with the various athletic sctiv-
ties of the recreation centres, why, ht
has the same right to compete as az
amateur as any one else.
The Ravenswood Boat Club shouls
protect itself from any such occurrence
as this The officers Of that club mus
know the nature Of Rooney's work
They certify when making an entry 10
any of the regattas held under the d.
rection of the National Association OF
Amateur Oarsmen, that the entrant IL
an amateur under our rules.
IF we cannot take the word of the
officers of the clubs affiliated with our
association, then il is time that We
blasted those clubs and officials out, or
else reorganized our governing body.
May Lead TO Complications
This affair may leaa 20 many COM
plications Rooney has been in the ser
vice of the Park Department for some
little time. All the prizes that he won
during the time ne was accepting sal
airy for this work II il be established
that his work makes him a profes-
sional, were wrongfully won. They viii
have 10 be awarded 10 the second man
His championship title, won at Duluth
last summer, was wrongfully won. and
may be awarded 10 Jack Kelly, OF the
Vespers, who finished second. All this
is conditional upon the findings Of the
investigation committee.
"As it may be with the championship
prizes, IL will be with the others. The
men whom Rooney defeated All adj
vance. Now, suppose that some Of them
won races in the same class in which
he beat them. They would move up
and the men who finished second would
be declared winner So IL would 90.
and there would be a wholesale read
justment and shifting of medals and
prizes