Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-01-07
WILCE REPLIES
TOCHARGES OF
BADGER COACH
Ohio State Mentor, Here for
Banquet, Says Wisconsin
Claims PrepOsterouS.
EXPLAINS COAST DEFEAT

Il am sorry to think that such a
thing as this had to come up in the
Big Ten Conference, from Conference
coach, not only because it is an at
tempted slam at Ohio State University,
hut because it tends to throw a bad
light on a great organization and mis-
inform the general public in regard to
the high, clean spirit OF craftsmanship
that exists among the universities, ath-
letic directors, coaches and players in
the Western Conference and in western
collegiate football This was the state
ment of Coach Jack Wilce Of the Ohio
State football team when questioned in
regard to the hot shot fired at his
methods and team by Coach John Rich
ards of Wisconsin University yesterday.
Coach Wilce, Professor French, presi-
dent Of the Ohio State Athletic Board
and Capt. lola Hoffman Of the Ohio team,
returning from the California game, were
guests OF honor at a banquet given by
the Indiana ohio state Association at the
Hotel Lincoln last night.
INJURED PRIDE THE
CAUSE, SAYS WILCE.
ANY broad-mindcd American inter
ested in football can easily see that con-
ditions as Coach Richards attempts to
picture them are utterly impossible in
collegiate football" said Wilce. 1t IS
simply the wall of a high-tempered
coach a coach who had his mind set
on the 1920 Conference title, who had
a wonderful team of athletes with which
to reach his goal, and whose chances
were wrecked when he suffered a last
minute defeat at the hands of the fight
ing Ohio state athletes"
Coach Wilce stated that he could not
imag CINE what Richards was driving at
in his statement as to the poor treatment
ia Hrw~ 10
State and he refused TO comment on
these remarks, which He termed as ut
terly impossible and absurd
In regard to Richards statement as
to "broyybeaten and instructed officials, -
Coach Wilce had little more to say, ex-
cept in protection of Referee Joe Magtd-
s0hn Of Michigan, Umpire Gardner OF
Illinois, and Head Linesman Gardner or
Cornell, who rate as three of the best Of
ficials in the Conference. Wilce explained
that before the WiscOnsin-OhiO game last
fall he and Richards entered into DIS
cussiOn regarding the rights of a player
catching or blocking a forward pass, and
the three officials of the contest were
called in TO settle the question neIore
the game started, the consultation being
held in front Of the main grand stand.
RICAHRDS DISAGREED
WITH OFFICIALS.
Richards. it is said. maintained that
the player catching a forward pass could
shove any player intending to block the
pass out Of the play before catching the
ball. or vice versa. The officials. accord
ing to Wilce, instructed Richards that
the rules state emphatically that neither
the receiver nor the blocker OF pass
shall be interfered with in any way, and
that any action by his players contrary
TO the rules would be followed by pen
atty. Richards, according to Wilce, was
greatly agitated by this decision and at
that time passed remarks in regard TO
"OhiO holding control of all officials when
they come to Columbus.
Wilce also stated that Richards be-
came further incensed toward Ohio State,
without cause, when things did not go
as he expected they would at the sched-
ule meeting in Chicago recently. Rich
ards, IL seemed. intended for Ohio State
to play at Madison this year, but Wiice
asserts that he was already contracted
to play more than the desired number
of games away from home and could
not consider the Wisconsin offer.
Wilee stated last night that there is,
as far as he knows, no bitter feeling
between Ohio and Wisconsin Universities
and between himself and Wisconsin Uni
versity, the entire case growing out OF
the wounded pride Of an individual
CAPTAIN Huffman and Coach Wtce
were alike in their explanation OF Ohio
defeat by California New Years day.
1.-The spirit was there and willing, but
the flesh was dead. 1t was more heat
they fought their best to overcome then
great handicap until the last ditch was
reached" This was the statement of
both football men. Coach Wilce denied
reports that his men lost weight before
the game. He said that they probably
were in better condition for that contest
than for any other all season, but the
summer heat was more than they could
stand up under.
Coach Wilce said the thermometer on
the hotel vera1da registered So degrees
before noon, New Years, and it was
even hotter than this when the teams
went On the field. For the first ten min
utes, according to the coach, his men
played great football. but from then on
they could hardly move around the field
so great was the heat. Pete StinchcOmb,
Ohio's All-American half back, sprained
an ankle in the third play of this game,
but did not inform the coach of his
accident until after the contest closed
it was stated. Wilce gives this As an
example of how willing, yet helpless, his
men were.
Professor French, father of the Ohio
stadium idea, announced at the banquet,
which is to be an annual affair with Ohio
State alumni in Indiana, that the success
Of the project is now assured and that
ground will be broken for the big ath-
letic plant next spring. Officers of the
Indiana Ohio State Association stated
that alumni members in Indianapolis have
subscribed $1,000 to the cause.