New-York tribune., 1918-12-16
May Modify
Sport Policy
AT Columbia

Modification Of the restrictions and
conditions upon which Columbia Uni
versity restored football in 1915 may
be asked for before plans for the foot
ball season of 1919 are definitely
made. These conditions have still
another year to run. but there is
feeling among the alumni that some
changes should be permitted now, mas
much as this is virtually a transition
stage IN intercollegiate athletics. If
the conditions are not changed this
year serious difficulties might be en-
countered in making changes in 1920,
or football on Morningside Heights
might be so hampered in its develop
ment next fall that Columbia would be
unable to take its normal position
among the college teams in 1920.
Chief Of the restrictions which are
causing concern among those interest,"
cd in the Development of the sport
is that preventing games between Co.
lumbia and Yale, Harvard, Princeton,
Pennsylvania and Cornell. There is
desire that this condition be so modi-
fed as to permit of games by Colum-
bia with Pennsylvania and Cornell, and
there has even been some talk of
wiping out this restriction altogether.
making now, and it is believed that it
would be highly advantageous if Co.
lumbia could work in game with
either Cornell or Pennsylvania, both of
which were Columbias keenest rivals
in the golden days of football on Morn
ingside Heights in 1906 and before.
Bound up with this restriction
against playing with Cornell and the
others is one prohibiting Columbia
from playing games on other than col
lege grounds. There has been no ban
against playing games away from New
York, as the schedules of the last four
has been impossible for Columbia to
arrange to play any of it's games at the
Polo Grounds or any of the other parks
in New York City.
1t IS conceded that if Columbia were
to play New York game with either
Cornell or Pennsylvania it would be
manifestly impossible to seat the crowd
that might be expected to attend such
contest at South Field, which, with
every bit OF standing room occupied,
could not accommodate more than
5000 persons. Therefore, there is the
feeling that this restriction should be
removed
And even if the ban against Cornell,
not be lifted it is believed that the
restrictions against using the Polo
Grounds should be removed for
the reason that it would initiate
against games with such teams as
Syracuse or Dartmouth, either of which
may be on Columbia's list next season.
1t is regarded that game with Dart
mouth would almost certainly be PLAYED
IN New York To try to have this game
staged on South Field would be the
height of folly unless there was O. de-
sire on the part of the athletic as
sociation not to reap the financial
profits which would normally accom-
pany such a contest
Another restriction which is cause
Tor speculation among alumni is that
against the playing of students other
than those regularly enrolled in Co.
lunbia College for the academic
course. This bars the playing of stu
dents in the engineering schools or in |
the other professional schools. There
are students in Teachers College, the
School of Architecture and the School
OF journalism who cannot be consd-
cred graduate students, but none the
less they are barred from playing
football. This is a subject that has |
been discussed pro and con on Morn |
ingside Heights ever since 1915, but |
there is chance now that some def
mite action will be taken upon it this |
year. There is no disposition to mod
iffy the rule limiting competition to
three years or to permit freshmen to
play.
1t is understood that Columbia will
act in line with the policy set down
by the Western Conference in ruling
that the records of men who played on
the S. A. r. c: eleven this fall be dis
regarded by the university officials in
determining. eligibility. This will /
mean that the season of 1918 will not
count at all in the, athletic records of
any student and that a football man
like Tower, the big freshman tackle.
who: although not a student in the
S. A. T. c., played on the varsity
eleven will be eligible for three Years
more of varsity football Such a rul-
ing is regarded as entirely consistent,
inasmuch as it will put all PLAYERS on
a parity next fall