South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-02-20
BILLY EVANS
Says

| ~
Evidently there arc some colleges
who place scholarship ahead Of pro-
fciency I'm athletics. Likewise there
are some athletes who place loyalty
before filthy lucre.
I am in receipt OF the following
very interesting letter from one who 4
has evidently taken much interest \
in the present tangle that a num-
Der OF the leading colleges find .
themselves In. Here is the letter
which is written in behalf OF Haver-
ford college.
While We are hearing so much .
about scandal IN college and uni .
versity athletics. 81 is refreshing 10 .
ind a conspicuous example OF the
nth degree OF purity. I have refer .
ence TO Haverford.
'Haverford is small quaker col /
lege near Philadelphia For years
it's rigid adherence 20 the amateur
regulations held the institution 20
the graduate coach system. Finally
a paid coach was approved
"Over-zealous alumni who desired
70 boost the caliber or the football
team were Immediately frowned into
silent disgrace.
Years ago there was a split in
branches becarle known az the Or
thodox and the Hixite Quakers.
"Haverford was established by the
conservative Orthodox element
while the Xix followers built up the
rival institution, SwarthmOre.
at was only natural that these
two schools should be the bitterest
Of athletic rivals.
"SWarthmore grew i'm size and
prominence Haverford was content
TO remain small enough that each
student could have the personal
contact with the professors.
"Colleg spirit was made the big
thing at Haverford Fraternities
were practically eliminated by fac
ulty ruling because they detracted
from the oneness of college spirit.
"Swarthmore usually won the big
football game because it obtained
some grid stars OF national promi-
hence. They point TO ties with and
victories over Pennsylvania with
much pride.
After repeated defeats, Haverford
finally cancelled the Swarthmore
booking. They could not beat the
larger institution without resorting
10 unsportsmanlike tactics. This
they would not do.
Several years later relations were
resumed. but Swarthmore usually
wins by heavy scores.
"Haverford has gone into games
with their rivals outweighed 20
pounds to the man and knowing that
defeat was certain. This happened
year after year. but college spirit
strengthened by a determined fac
ulty. gave the student body honor
through those defeats.
Amateur rules are in effect at
Haverford Every student reflects
the sternly conscientious attitude Of
the faculty and takes greater pride
in being from a college of unques-
toned integrity than he could find
i'm any number OF athletic victories"
Newton G. Gillian. an attorney
from Kansas City. No. has suggest
ed TO Judge Lands, baseball com
missioner, that the batsman be given
the right TO steal first base il ne
elects TO do so.
Gillian contends that such a right
would tend TO speed up the game.
Would add an additional element of
uncertainty that is now lacking, and
would tend to make the players keep
their heads up.
The idea Is not a new one. Three
or four years ago Gillian wrote me
letter explaining his suggestion.
and asking me TO use It as the basis
for one Of my baseball stories.
did so. and in detail offered reasons
why such change would not be
advisable.
I agree with Gillian that the fans
| like and want more base running.
I That feature Of the game has suf-
/ fered a great deal in the last three
or four years. due largely 10 the in
creased hitting that has crept into
I the sport.
/ However. ! cannot agree with Gil
lam that il would be advisable 10
! increase base running through the
medium OF permitting the batter TO
steal first base
7 fear that such change would
tend TO upset the basic principles Of
+ the game The .inhelders would sure
+ Is be topsy-turvy. realizing that al
+ any time during the progress Of
1 some play on the base lines, the bat
I ter might dash madly for first base.
Ii would indeed be difficult 10 en-
act any legislation that would salts