Evening star., 1924-12-31

In the National Collegiate Athletic
Association the old guard holds the
fort, and is so strongly intrenched
that 1t will take an attack to dis
lodge them beside which, in COM
parison. Picketts charge would be
an afternoons stroll.
Purely Educational.
The N. c. A A. is purely an edu-
cational organization and whatever
It does has no weight except for the
influence it exerts over It's members.
In other words, the association ac-
complishes something worth while
from a practical viewpoint by in
fuencing its members to do what is
considered to be the right thing, and
there is no doubt that the influence
welded in an educational way is
tremendous. 1t has accomplished
much that is good and should con-
tinue to do So Therefore, whatever
action 1t takes is of interest in the
colleges and universities, notwith-
standing that 1t controls not a single
activity in any institution.
The report of the committee which
investigated the use OF motion pic
lures and still photographs in foot
ball scouting did not find the wide
spread use of these that had been ex-
pected, but passed a resolution that
condemned such practice.
A committee was appointed to in
vestigate the Summer base ball Ques-
ton, and rules committees for next
year were appointed.
About the only rules committees for
which there are real aspirations and
on which positions are very much
desired is that of foot ball. The only
man on this committee who will not
serve during the coming year is Capt
J. J. McEwan of West Point. Nc
Evan will not be available for meet
ings, as he has been assigned to serv-
ice in Porto Rico.
Little in the nature of new bust
ness was attempted, practically all
sessions being taken up with reports
and addresses of a set nature. All the
old officers were reelected.
Interesting Paper Read.
If the writer had to pick just one
thing from the whole of the proceed
ings of the three sessions which were
held yesterday that really was worth
while he would take the paper read
by Prof. Kennedy of Princeton on
administration of College Athletics"
and send it to every man in the
United States who has anything to do
with sports. Much in that paper was
worth while. 1t was about the most
practicable and sensible discussion of
pTODIenlS related 10 COlleSe
that has been given in the National
Collegiate Athletic Association in
years.
Most Of the time spent by the foot
ball coaches in their meetings Mon
day was given over to a discussion of
changes they should recommend in
the foot ball rules. One or two per-
sons offered some rather radical ideas,
but practically the whole trend of the
meetings was conservative.
Two recommended changes which
seemed to arouse unanimous consent
were those that involved taking the
ball back to the 40-yard line for the
kickoff and eliminating the award
of a first down to the offensive team.
as well as five yards in distance when
q five-yard penalty is meted out
against the defensive eleven.
1t seems to be the feeling that
these are the only changes that have
O chance to get by the rules COM
mittee.
Bob Zuppke of Illinois, who was
elected president of the coaches as
sociation, after he had presided at the
q meetings, gets off a lot of dry humor
that sometimes closely approaches
sarcasm, and this probably will prevent
many people from appreciating him
at his true worth.