Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-03-31
CHECKING ATHLETIC ExcEssES

CHECKING ATHLETIC ExcEssEs
Plautus observed centuries ago that
'all things In excess bring trouble to
men," Men had brains in the days
of Piautus. President Stills Of Bow
dom says SO, and he has looked into
the matter. Indeed he went so far as
to say, at the recent meeting OF the
Eennebec Alumni, that brains were
sust AZ good in those days but
weren't taxed to the extent Of this
generations brains. Be that as 1t
may, Plautus undoubtedly had brains
ana what he said about excess fits
right into the athletic craze; applies
to our oral athletes who wear bleach
or splinters as badges OF prowess In
physical development, also to several
other phases of stadia psychology.
Clarity Of vision and courage are
REQUIRED for stemming the tide even
though one perceives 1t is sweeping
as out beyond our depth. 1t is easy
10 understand why the alumni, the old
and those Of recent vintage, yell
their heads off when alma mater
azores q touchdown. There's moth
ing essentially discreditable about
their doing so. unless 1t appears this
Is the only demonstration a college
may afford, which will arouse their
enthusiasm or inspire youth to seek
college education. Listening to sug-
Eestions. such as reason in all things,
scholastic advantages, and all that
isn't q popular diversion. neither IS
the one making the suggestion likely
to be popular, though we who love
the "rah, rah, rah!" also admire pluck
when we are capable Of comprehend
ing It.
We should learn right away to COM
prehend the wisdom Of imparting
physical culture In our schools i'm
partially; we should recognize the
obligation to give to each pupil his or
her share Of instruction in athletics,
proportionately to their respective
needs. In other words, proper develop
lnlent Of the body, suitable conserva-
ton Of health and building up Of
physical strength should keep pace
with development of the mind. 1t
should be a more pleasing sight to
zee the student body alive with
health, straight Of limb, erect, eyes
Alight and each individual radiating
the confidence and power Of health
than to see the battle-scarred group
that won the athletic championships,
as 1t means so much more to the lives
of that student body and to the
world they are to serve. Primarily
the schools are not for winning tro-
phies on the athletic fields, although
these are desirable II attained with
out too much cost at the expense of
those often unwittingly making the
sacrifice to secure them. or do not
cause neglect Of the great student
body.
John NJ. Gates, Bowdoin's director
Of athletics, has a clear vision of the
needs and purposes Of athletics in
colleges. Better still he has the
courage to declare It, to pay homage
to sincere work whether done by the
average student or by the SUPER
machined athlete. He Is not afraid
to speak his mind to the alumni, and
being alumni, supposed to be pos
sessed of trained ability to discrimin-
ate, they should listen and approve.
It Is too much to expect intelligent
discrimination. perception of all the
ine points OF sport, ability to
recognize the fact that any faithful
team deserves banquet, to expect
all this Of all who delight in athletic
sports. Not all those who applauded
the old Roman circuses and distribu-
lions of bread did so wisely. But this
Is not too much to expect-should not
be at least-of the alumni of our
schools, provided they received proper
instruction while at school.
II there has not been in all our
schools training of such discrimina-
ton it is but fair to hope there soon
Wal DC. LIiC iSdNCu ID we
were interested in a recent address
by f. c. Mitchell. principal of the
Lynn Classical High school at a con-
ference OF school principals. He ad-
mitted that athletic contests, "just
as any other extra curriculum activi-
ties. are, or should be a direct and
and lasting benefit to the school as
an institution. but If they exist for
any other primary reason than the
physical. mental and moral develop
ment Of the individual taking part,
then. claim, they have no place In
any public school"
Amen to that. How soon are we to
see other school principals with back
bone to stand firm on the fundamen-
tais, to refuse to overtax the youth
es we believe Is often being done in
tournaments. and to recognize that
'neir nrst consideration regarding
Atnietics Is attention to the needs Of
sacn ana every individual under their
charge and not to the winning of cups
flor, the school7- "-,,.