Evening star., 1926-03-30
Few Objections Raised to
Boost i'm Foot Ball Prices

Discussion of the increase in price
of foot ball tickets from SO to IS at
several colleges develops no evidence
OF serious protest from the sport
loving public. but, rather, some sat
isfaction has been expressed that this
ma jor sport will he able to contribute
to the expa nsion of some other col
lege activities which are less protita-
BILE. Yale, Princeton. Harvard and
Pennsylvania initiated the change,
under which the alumni must pay the
higher rate, while students and fac
ulty members will be charged only 81
1T is perhaps a little unfortunate
for the amateur spirit" SAYS the Co.
lumbus Ohio State Journal that
foot ball is such money maker that
the fina ncial side of the college game
is so much empha sized. 1t seems as
if it would be better if il were more
of q sport and less of business.
The athletic authorities of these col
leges take cogniza nee of this fact in
not raising the price of admission
to those who may he supposed TO
be most interested in the sport for
the sports sake-the students. They
are not trying TO wiring the last pos
sible dollar out of it, not charging
all the traffic apparently will bear.
We do not suppose the extra 81 per
ticket will keep any II the foot t-ball-
following alumni away from the
games. They seem To have plenty
OF money to spend for other things
on these hilarious occa asions.'
\ x
Looking upon both sides of the
question. the Dayton Daily News thus
presents them: There are many who
will see in the recent decision ONLY
what they feel is a continuation or
the movement toward professiona lism
and moneyed sport. growing out OF the
Ora nge episode They will he certain
it presages a gradual declire toward
the adulteration that has never pre-
viously threate the high amateur
plane on which college athletics haV"
been conducted. Those so mlnded
should permit themselves thorough
considera ton of the facts in the case.
The note at which supporters OF col
lege sport will take heart and rejoice
is contained in the announcement
which specifically provides that the
increase in annual revenue Shall ne
applied solely to maintenance and de
velopment of general athletic faciil-
ties. and not to increa sing the budgets
Of intercollegiate athletic teams.
I'm view of the prices charged Tor
ringside seats at so-called boxlnE
matches. which seldom provide such
thrills as a good foot ball game" in
the opinion of the Pittsburgh Chron-
icle Telegra ph, "$5 for ticket does
not seem excessive. There VIII he
the customary amount of 'deplorlng
the 'increa sing commercialtsm OF tooI
ball and the usual absence OF con
structive suggestions for solving the
problem more satisfac ctorily. Every
fan will admit that it's worth - 10
witness a championship contest on the
cridiron. The foot ball managers are
not charging all the traffic will bear.
That is a condition that has never
been tested"
Quoting a statement that the pur-
chasing power of the dollar has de-
creased, and that the need for educa-
tional endoWments lis so acute that
athletic funds can come only from
foot ball revenue" the st. Paul Pho
neer Press suggests that "the explana-
ton might be more comprehensive.
and continues: Colleges and uniVer-
stiles always need money. The dollar
never will buy enough. The f'g
Three authorities might have added
that they have scanned the foot bail
horizon, and have convictions as to
what the traffic will bear. They might
have expressed confidence that. though
the old grad may grumble, he will
fork over at the gate"
The Newark Evening News points
out Ahat "it is wholly a college family
affair: that tickets are not for sale
TO outsiders, who can get them only
in violation of the rules, and they
have no kick whatever the price may
be-" The News also remarks: Ihe
alumni prefer to preserve the college
atmosphere; to mingle with others OIL
| a common interest and spirit IL
makes a. foot ball game a better show