Evening star., 1924-12-17

ct believe that foot ball is on a
higher plane in the South Atlantic
section than in any other section of
the oeuatry," he continued. THE
teams are we'll coached and the play
ers are splendid sportsmen. and about
She only particular in which, 1t seems
70 me, that teams in this section
kali down in comparison with teams
of some other sections is in the
quality OF material that enters fresh
man GLASSES. The high schools of
Shia part Of the country do not fur
nish the universities and colleges
with as mature or as well developed
men az do high schools of some
kther sections. Given the same kind
0H material, I believe that South
Atlantic foot bail would hold it's own
knywhere. ...
Fine Spirit on Field.
''1e has been my fortune during
khe past season to come in contact
with every coach in the section and
n have observed with pleasure the
fine influences which they exert on
Aheir teams That has been reflected
an the attitude of the men on the
Aeld ana In no small measure is re-
Rponsible FOR tho excellent spirit dis
played between teams. even when
playing under high tension"
The formation of the Southern
Conference a few years ago has done
much 20 foster the excellent spirit
which now prevails among South
Atlantic colleges. All are trying to
help one another. To show the fine
spirit of cooperation that exists two
instances which took place at the
recent Southern Conference meeting
in New Orleans may be cited.
A representative Of one college said
To the representative of another col
aege: DO you know that you have
a man who played professional base
ball under an assumed name last
Summer? The reply came: yes,
and we are going to bar him from
all athletics" The other instance:
Said one representative to another,
Il understand that you have an
alumni group that contributes regu-
schools; how about it?" Quick as
flash the reply: I'VE have nothing
OF the kind. We did have one scholar
ship maintained by an alumnus but
even that has been discontinued"
Fine" was the word which de-
scrtoed the agreement on all sides.
Five years ago there would have
been suspicion and distrust in such
cases as these, but now there is
prevents bad feeling among sensible
people and happily most of those
engaged in handling college athletics
are sensible.
Better Schedules Now.
A comparison of the schedules now
being played by the teams in the
Southern Conference with those
played three years ago is a good
answer to a question about the
condition of athletics in the South
Atlantic section. Take the University
of Virginia, for instance. The only
institutions 1t played were Virginia
Military Institute and the University
of North Carolina, and it was only
by the barest of margins that ath-
letic relationships were not broken
between them.
Now Virginia has two-year con-
tracts with North Carolina Virginia
Polytechnic institute, Washington
and Lee, Virginia, Military Institute
and Maryland. Besides the teams il
already Is playing, North Carolina
IS trying to arrange games with
Washington and Lee and V. P.I In
fact, there now is more general com
petition among South Atlantic col
leges than at any previous period.
IT Is this general good feeling, this
Willingness to discuss openly and
frankly with one another the prob-
lens Of athletics that develop close
relationships, keep away the atmos-
pnere OF suspicion and distrust and
are In large measure reflected in the
good sportsmanship of the players
on and OF the field.