The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-11
COLUMBIA FREED
FROM SHACKLES
Faculty Removes Restrictions
on FOotball-Plan to
Build Stadium.

All over the United States this morn
ing Columbia's football followers are re-
Joicing-not because the Blue and White
accomplished any wonderful feat re-
Gently on the gridiron, but because last
night the Morningside eleven was freed
from the shackles which have restricted
it's football career since its reentry into
the game in 1915, The announcement of
Columbla's deliyerance was made last
night by Frank d. Fackenthal, chair
man of the university committee on stu-
dent organizations, at meeting of
alumni in the Columbia University Club
West Forty-third street. ,,
Further reason for joy was caused
| when President Butler in closing his
letter of approval of football said: The
next step is to organize an. effective
movement to carry to speedy completion
our long delayed plans for the Hudson
| River Stadium"
The desire for this stadium will give
Columbia alumni a rally cry and win
bind them together nothing else
would. The effort that necessarily must
be exerted to realize this long cherished
ambition of a big stadium on the bank
of the Hudson will work wonders
toward reawakening a vital college spirit
| that has lain helplessly dormant ever
since Columbia withdrew from intercol-
| leSiate football competition in 1906.
May Play Big Teams.
| Columbia now will be able to play
| Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Pennsylvania
and Cornell should she go desire, and
will be able to play games away from
home and on any dates she may select.
| And coaches may be chosen elsewhere
| than from the universitys department
| OF physical education should 1t be de-
sired. All of these privileges were for
hidden fruit under the provisions of the
agreement with the committee on stu
dent organizations when Columbia re-
| stored the game five years ago.
In fact that agreement provided only
| for five year try out of football, with
nothing at all said of the future. A
strict Interpretation of 1t meant that Co.
| lumbia was to have no football when the
five year term of probation expired. No
| one was pessimistic enough to believe. OF
| course. that the faculty again would
| abolish the game. but grave fears were
entertained as to the future of the sport.
| Columbia alumni have been question:
Ing each other constantly about the
| matter. but no one was able to foretell
the future. Last nights meeting was
the elimination of this spirit OF anxiety.
| Columbia alumni wanted to know what
| to expect from their alma mater, and
they received last night all that even the
most optimistic anticipated and more.
College men everywhere will be graft.
fed to learn of Columbia's action. The
| Blue and White was a we'll liked ,om
petitor. and was welcomed everywhere
And every college man must appreciate
the relentless struggle which Columbia
men have waged to see the game re-
stored at their alma mater, and every
one OF them must be pleased that the
long fight has resulted favorably. t-.
Columbia's old grads now are dream
| ing of the DAVIS Harold WHalsaa nd
his triumph over Yale and Princeton,
and hoping that, maybe. II il not to-
much to expect their return.
Plans for Crew.
In addition to the football discussio,
at the meeting, y. lockwood. former
Columbia crew man, suggested that
Charles Halstead Mapes, Columbia's
representative OF the board of stewards
! OF the intercollegiate Rowing Associa-
ton. be requested to take steps to re-
store the Poughkeepsie regatta In 1929
Mr.. Mapes acquiesced and stated that
he was certain that crew competition
would be resumed generally next year
| Mr.. Mapes stated that the Ghilds cup
race would be rowed as usual next year
and every year thereafter. This race is
set for the third Saturday In May each ,
year. II was announced that Yale Har-
ward and the Navy are being considered
| Columbia.
In athletic competition, II is the IN
tention Of the alumni to foster a restora-
tlon Of the old Cornell Pennsylvania
Columbia triumvrate, in which such
great interest used to be taken befor1
Columbia dropped football.
Gustavius T. Kirby closed the meet
| ing with speech on the proposed
stadium. He said that the need OF such
a field at Columbia was urgent, not
alone to accommodate spectators at in
tercollegiate contests. but also to pro-
vide a place where Columbias under
graduates may obtain needed physical
exercise. He cited organizations of the
present South Field.
Mr.. Kirby believes, further, that a
I large athletic field would be n great
benefit as playground for children of
the city during the summer. A woman
unnamed by Mr. Kirby has offered him
| voluntarily the sum OF S1,25O,0OO TO be
placed in charge of the trustees of the
university for the erection and main
tenance Of large athletic plant to be
used Jointly by Columbia and children
| of the CITY.