The Alaska daily empire., 1919-01-16
SPORTS

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 16.-Foot- ball critics practically are unanimous n picking the team of the University # California as the most formidable of the college organization on the Pacific Coast. Of the Army and Navy Service teams, the Marines of Mare Island are accorded first place.
 That the University of California should be ranked first on the coast is taken as an indication that the Blue and Gold once more has come into it's own in the matter of Ameri- can football after having taken up the British Rugby game for a dozen years. That the Bears will have to be reckoned with at all times in the future practically is conceded. They have forgotten their Rugby and they nave learned the American brand of play again.
 While football in 1918 was not a financial success, as far as the cof- fers of the various college athletic treasurers were concerned, it was a big improvement over 1917 from the point of view of play Notwithstand- jng the fact that the majority of the
 cams began their training late in he season. and, for a while it looked dubious whether or not there would ne any regular schedule of games,
 he season resulted in number Of excellent contests.
 Not the least important feature If the coast season was the return of Stanford University to the Amer icon fold and the resumption of the 0ld.tire gridiron rivalry with it's notural and geographical opponent,
 he Tn vcrsity of California. While Stanford made but sorry showing IS far as her knowledge of the game was concerned, her players were game to the last and as long as they have the fighting spirit, the follow CTS of the Cardinal do not fear that they will not quickly pick up the game. Experience has shown that not only must the American game be earned but the Rugby game must De uniearned.
 Teams of the Northwest, which, for a dozen years, have been turning ut formidable teams, did not main
 ain their standard during last fall. such football mentors as Hugh Be- iek, Lonestar Dietz, and Hilmeur Dobie. whose metohds have had much
 o do with bringing Northwestern cams to the fore. were missing and the result has been that only medl- core teams were turned out. Added 10 this must be taken into considera- ion the fact that many players were not available as they were serving
 Il the great war
 Followers of football are enthusias- tic over the indications for next Fall 9nd many are predicting that the Pacific coast is destined at that time enjoy the most active and sue .essful season in it's history. With he return to the college from the Army and Navy of scores of good players who were missing from the 1918 lineups it is not unreasonable to presume that there is considerable ground for the hope expressed. With Stanford giving up Rugby as ! major sport, the' various prepara- tory schools also are dropping the English game one by one, so that he material entering both California md Stanford in the future will have , good basic knowledge of American football. This has not been the case
 n the past for the reason that while some schools played the home brand of football. others devoted their en tire attention to the development Of Rugby fiftcens.
 While the service teams of the flu 1 turc will be made up of the regulars of the Army and Nacvy. it is be lievcd that the influx of collegiate players during the war has taugh them as much about the game ant the soldiers and sailors are expected to put up a better brand of plal than they did before tho United
 States entered into the war