The New York herald., 1921-01-08
ATHLETIC DENIAL
FROM WEST POINT
Authorities Say There Is No
PROSECUTING to Obtain Crack
Football Players.


at West Point came out with a state
ment yesterday which speaks for itself
That the Army authorities want lads of
athletic ability at the academy they do
not deny. but that there is any prose-
lyting to bring crack football PLAYERS.
such as have earned a reputation else
where. they 10 deny and vigorously.
II q football player Of repute can get
an appointment to the Military Acad-
emy and stands high morally and men,
tally ms we'll rs physically. he Is well
come to the Point, for the Army posi-
ton Is that such types are the kind pest
suited for the work which Is the CHIEF
object OF West Points existence, the
making OF good officers. But no foot
ball player, no matter how expert can
remain at West Point unless he Keeps
up to all requirements, scholastic, milf
tary and otherwise.
In the appended statement from West
Point is some strong language. such as
fraud" and lie" regarding intirna-
tions that certain CRITICISM and prcpa-
ganda" Is entirely without basis:
Recent articles in the press have
contained insnuations that systematic
efforts were beins made by the military
authorities to induce by hlegtimate
means members of football teams OF
other colleges to desert those teams and
10 come to West Point for athletic pur-
poses.
mo attention would be given such
charges had ehey not attained more
or less authentic character by appearing
under Annapolis headlines.
"A rigid investigation has faiieo 10
reveal the slightest basis for such re-
ports. Athletic types are desired ior tne
Army. but no unsportsmanlike metnoos
have been used to obtain them Inc
military authorities, therefore. wish 10
make n most sweeping denial or such
allegations
"It is not the practice Of the Military
Academy TO attempt to rebut crlticish,
or propaganda through the columns OF
the press, and 1t does so In TINS uhi4ue
instance. not to brand the fraud anu 10
stop the lie, but for the sole purpose p,t y,
rea ssuring it's own followers throughou'
the world" ao+a
Also comes "A statement OF recent GATE
from Commander D. l.. Howard ath-
letic officer at the Naval Academy, ana
authorized by the superintendent OF ehe
academy. nointing out certain require
ments at that institution as well as It's
ideas o, athletic policy. 1t says. among
other things. that nobody may enter the
Naval Academy after his tWehtieln
birthday and that the navy therefore
n,ust develop its own athletes. The last
parngra ph Is especially interesting the
statement says:
'In response to many inquiries from
va rious sources bearing on athletics at
the national academies. the following is
the policy of the United states NaVai
Academy:
physical training 1T Annapolis Is
compulsory and an important factor OF
the curriculum and extends throughout
1 ~ fTttv-
f,ciencies In this department OF mid
shipman's work are treated IN manner
similar to deficiencies in studies.
"Included In this physical training Is
! qualification in all forms OF athietic
sports In which the Naval Academy en-
gnges. Those midshipmen who excel IN
one branch or another compose the attn
letlc squads and teams which compete
| in either interciass or intercollegiate
| contests. That Is. they are the repre-
sentatives Of their respective classes or
| the represntatives Of the Naval Acad-
emy In competition with outside teams
The number of rnidshipmen in this status
at present exceeds seventeen hundred In
all the branches of organized athletic
sports
The development Of all the men who
come to Annapolis. therefore. Ia essen
tiaI to the Naval Academy system OF
| training. which has for It's OBJECTIVE the
physical well being and efficiency OF the
/ future officers of the navy. As no one
nav enter Annapolis after his twentieth
birthday. II Is apparent that the Naval
Academy must develop practically all
Of its own athletes.
THE chief stimulus 10 such system
of athletics must be contests with rep
/ resentative universities and colleges and
the results OF such contests form also
the index Of it's success.
ITO this end the United States Naval
Academy welcomes and promotes ath-
letlc relations with other Institutions,
and In order that these relations may be
sustained on an unquestioned basis OF
equity and fair play. the Naval Academr
Is desirous OF observing all the require
ments OF eligibility which are essential
to good sportsmanship and which are
recognized BY the representative educa-
| tional institutions of the country"