Evening star., 1918-01-06
|CAN DEVELOP PLAN
TO CONTINUE SPORT
Hope for intercollegiate Com
petition Rests in Localiz-
ing of Schedules.
COLLEGES MUST AGREE
BY II. C. BYRD.

section can carry out a broad
plan of athletic competition dur
ing the entire period OF the war.
This may seem to be a some
what extravagant statement at
this particular time, but never
theless it can be done, and with
very little expense. Conditions
in Maryland and Virginia are
particularly; good for the sur
vival of the great. majority of
sports; in fact, practically every
institution can carry. out its
usual program if it cares to.
Two things are an absolute neces-
sity for a constructive wartime poll
icy for this section. They are the
building up of closer relationship
not on speaking terms and the doing
away with the placing of SO much em-
phasis, on the winning of games. OF
course, several colleges and uniyersi-
ties probably would have to bend some.
what their dignified heads-it should be
remembered in this connection that
dignity sometimes merges into egoism
and those in charge of sports in some
of the institutions probably will stand
aghast at the mention of the with
drawal of the winning emphasis In
comnefftiya contests
1t is we'll understood that a position
of dignity well becomes an educational
institution. but 1t also is very well rec-
ogniZed that IT is easy to carry that
SO far that the word arrogant would
At better than dignity. Furthermore,
nothing is better than to instili into
players, men in all forms of sports. the
value of winning, because that means
the placing of great premium on
success. The men get the spirit OF
success instilled into them on the ath-
letic field and unquestionably that
gives them confidence which makes
them face the sterner trials of after
life with a great deal better chance OF
making good than otherwise. How.
ever. that can be carried too far.
Colleges Not on Good Terms.
Here is a situation that exists in the
south Atlantic section-a situation the
like of which can be found nowhere
else in Intercollegiate athletics: In
tions. one the State UNIVERSITY and the
other the Sta4e Agricultural and Me-
chanical College They do not meet ON
the athletic field. yet no doubt exists
that contest between them would be
the biggest affair of the kind in the
state. In Virginia there is the Uni-
versity of Virginia, Virginia Poly
technic Institute and Washington and
Lee University. but disagreements pre-
VS. ~ nm
Virginia will not play Georgetown.
either. Right here in WashinetoL are
Catholic University and Geosetown n.
the two big Catholic institutions Of ths
point. but they cannot get along fo-
gether when 1t comes to. meeting in
athletics. In Maryland conditions are
much better. as far as the colleges
within the state are concerned. There
are seven institutions of collegiate
rank within Maryland's boundary and
while there have been disputes and
descriptions of relationships in the past.
right now all is tranquil and every col
lege stands on an amicable footing
with the others.
What is wrong with Georgetown. Fir-
ginia, North Carolina State. Virginia
University and Washington and lsey
Certainly the men in charge of spcrts
in those institutions are level-hesded
enough not forever to allow past Ids
stand IN tne way " q
readjustment of their misunderstsad-
ings. Three fourth Of the trouble with
the breaking OF relationships between
two Institutions may be traced to tho
overdeveiopment Of the win spirit In
nearly all Instances of the breaking OF
1t is noticed that tho
team which has been whipped four
or 1--WE times consecutively decides that
its grievances are greater than II can
bear. Consequently 1t determines upon
ftHoo lr ha ia a r.
Ing generally upon the case without
specific instances. but the
writer forbears at this time TO reopen
old sores. Some time perhaps he VIII
write a story bearing directly on this
phase Of the athletic situation in the
south Atlantic section and give some OF
the inconsistencies in the actions taken
at various times by certain colleges
and universities.
Way to Arrange Schedules.
If the colleges in this section win
bury the hatchets they so long have
been holding in a striking position they
can arrange a series OF ,ames in foot
ball. basket ball ck that Will
be conducted W ~ title expense.
None of the in n this section
rely entirely o : ecipts for funds
to carry on u. ork and the ma
jority of the ar brunt of thel-
expenses fr, regl students and
alumni cont ms -
These fur as usually range between
thret and thousand dollars. That -
not eE ough money to develop extensive
a guarantee for a single game. with the
foot ball team is to be paid $4,000 as
schedules. in which one
chance of rain making the contest al
most a total failure financially. but it
is sufficient to work up schedules in all
sports II the colleges and universities
in distinct localities will get together
and arrange to play one another, for the
period of the war at least