South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-07-29
PLEA To BAN
FRESHMAN RULE
Notre Dame Writer Tells Why
Three Year Rule Should
Stand.
BY ALFRED ALEXANDER.

]
iron duty, the burning question OF
the day in intercollegiate circles is
whether the freshmen candidates
should De allowed TO participate in
varsity contests next fall
since the war has played havoc
with most OF the college athletic
teams and has depleted the football
squads considerably. football men
tors from some of the leading cas-
tern and western aggregations are
seriously CONSIDERING the adVisa-
bility Of suspending the three year
rule during the period of war.
Such action would consequently give
the newcomers an opportunity TO
show their ability on the gridiron
with the upperclassmen.
Persistent rumors are ahoat in
the circles of the western confer
ence. one OF the most influential
athletic organizations in the coun-
try. that the conference coaches
are also advocating such move
and will give it due consideration
when the athletic boards meet be
fore the next scholastic year which
begins next september The wes-
tern conference was instrumental
i'm adopting the three year rule by
which no freshman could participate
i'm any branch of athletics upon en-
tering college. This association has
strictly enforced this rule in a num-
her instances.
Would Lower Standard.
The plan to allow freshmen in
the varsity contests would lower
the standard of football. The ma
jority of schools Of recognized
standing are living up TO this rule
and its suspension would prove i'm
practicable and would muddle ath-
letic standings.
The football season is all tOseth-
CT too short TO teach the newcomers
the style of offensive and defensive
as used by he varsity squads Ii is
true that some OF the freshmen
would prove a valua Die asset 20 the
varsity in the fall contests. but this
would be an exception.
Good football coaches are scarce
today since a large number Of them
are acting I'm the capacity of ath-
letic instructors in the various army
cantonments throughout the country
and the head coaches will De too
busy with the regulars 10 devote any
time TO the rockies.
When the varsity men report for
gridiron duty they are in most in
stances acquainted with the style
of play TO be used against the OPP
ponents. while every freshman re
porting for duty clings 10 one style
of play. the method used in high
school games, and usually win four
years of high school experience IL
y a dificuIt thing for the rookie to
abandon the high school idea Of
play.
Practically every freshman play
en- comes TO college with a different
style of play and from past expert
ence the university coaches know
that il takes one season for the
fol1ies 10 acquaint themselves with
the varsity methods,
Freshman Schedule Advisable.
The only solution OF the problem
would be TO bring a schedule for the
freshmen who are not allowed TO
play during their first year OF col
lege but who are used only in scrim-
mage work against the varsity.
Schools not a:liated with the wes-
tern conference arrange a schedule
for their freshmen team each year
and the coach who usually Is the
former captain of the varsity squad
can teach the freshmen the varsity
methods. since out of town games
are arranged FOR the rockies and
since competition for regular berths
Is keen. there is tendency for the
freshmen 10 give a first class eX-
hibition and master all varsity
plays
realize the fact that varsity teams
will be weakened BY the loss OF good
men next fall Nevertheless they
viii surely lend their support by at
tending the contests. Football
makes good soldiers The came
makes each player concentrate his
faculties. especially the power Of
good Judgment OF the quarerback
who i'm a critical moment OF the
same must outwlt his opponents,
otherwise ne meets defeat
Football players become good
leaders of men A large number
OF college players have won COM
missions as ieutenants and today
are instructng the draft quotas al
the camps.
Football should be continued
even IL the teams are not as strong
a. in former years. but the fresh
man should not be allowed 20 PLAY
1890. ~. .-r.t .-aar- ~ -nLIa.n