Evening star., 1917-05-24
PLANS FOR ATHLETICS
MAY Be FORMED HERE
Meeting Of Executive Committee Of
N. G. A. A. Suggested to Get
Uniform Action.
BY H. C. BYRD.

Plans for concerted action on the part
of the colleges of the United States in
regard to athletics during the period
of the war may be made here some
time during August. Maj. Palmer E.
Pierce. president of the National Col
legtate Athletic Association, has ad-
dressed communication to each mem
Der of the association asking the ad-
uttve committee at Washington to ar
rive at some conclusion which will en-
able the colleges to adopt a uniform
policy.
The letter sent out by Maj. Pierce
is self-explanatory: "On the outbreak
followed various plans with reference
to intercollegiate athletics. Some sus-
pended all schedules others announced
that no changes would be made. All
have been confronted with great dim-
culties. financial and otherwise, and the
need of conference is apparent. 1t is
too late to make plans for this college
year. but if, as appears probable. the
situation as regards college athletics
will be even worse at the beginning of
the next year, it is suggested that some
thought be given to the problem this
summer, SO that the colleges of the
country may adopt a uniform policy.
Various proposals have been made look
ing to the preservation of intercolle-
giate athletics. so far as they do not
interfere with the needs of the country.
but aiming at economy of time and
money, and possibly the offer of GER
tain percentage of the profits to the
Red Cross or other national or patriotic
organizations.
"The most natural body to formulate
such plans for the whole country is the
National Collegiate Athletic Associa-
tion. The object of this letter is to as
certain the views of the colleges re-
garding such a conference. Speciflcal-
w. If Ia nrnnnSad that tho
committee. representing all parts of
the country, hold meeting in WASH
ington in August, inviting number of
individuals prominent in college ath-
adopted to be submitted to the colleges
as suggestive, not authoritative. For
tunately the funds of the association
are in such condition that the expenses
of the meeting can easily be met. You
are invited to express an opinion on
this suggestion and to send also a list
Of topics which you would like to have
discussed If the replies to this letter
seem to favor the conference. AS the
president of the association is very
busy with military matters, answers
may be sent to the secretary"
Such letter is a step in the right
direction on the part of responsible
authorities. There is need of co-ordi-
nation between colleges if athletics are
to continue on a sound, broad basis
executive committee of the National
COLLEGIATE A. A, as contemplated by
Mai Pierce. is one of the best move
ments yet suggested. That 1t should
be carried through with the support of
every institution in the United States
Is needless to say. 1t probably is just
as needless to state that every college
will give whatever action the commit
tee may take unqualified and absolute
support.
Schools and small colleges in Virginia
ana North Carolina are figuring pretty
strong on the foot ball season next fall,
II the report of a man who has just re-
turned from trip in that section is to
be accepted in full. Cy Mcdonald, who
represents big concern dealing in ath-
letic goods, has been taking a trip
through Virginia and North Carolina
each spring about this time to sign up
orders for foot ball goods for the fol-
lowing fall. Yesterday he returned
from a three-week Journey. during
collegiate institution of prominence,
and here is what he says:
There may not be much foot ball
next fall. but certainly the attitude of
All appear to be making plans for the
game just as If there were no war. and
that is true from near every stand
point. I have placed orders for more
foot ball stun than IN any previous
spring. Practically every school is
buying with the expectation of having
bigger and better squads than usual"
A meeting of many athletic officials
in the colleges of the east and west
is to be held at the Hotel Biltmore
in New York Saturday afternoon, and
following that on Saturday night will
come a gathering of the central board
of foot ball officials. The various col
leges are said to be contemplating sew
eral changes in their codes to fit con-
ditions, one of which is the allowing
of freshmen to compete as members
of regular varsity. teams. The ques-
tion of foot ball will be discussed and
a decision made as to what will be
done In regard to it. The recent letter
of President Wilson urging that ath-
letics in the colleges be continued un-
doubtedly gives a decided boost to
plans for sports for the next year.
The Truytona won from the Vast