Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-23

N YEN AoRk. ,eCenoer -".--ii
the reported fact that Chick
VI Mcehan has signed contract
4 with New York University
which involves the sum of $50
600 for three years of coaching may
he read the significance of foot ball
prreStiGa to an institution which hith-
erto had not enjoyed ii.
II the salary which Meehan is to re-
CeiVe is correctly reported, he stands
as the all-AmeriCa coach with respect
to pay. Throughout the intercolegi-
ate world and outside there will be
lifting Of eyebrows over this relatively
enormous stipend. 1t will be regarded
as pointing to the tapping Of the
balance in favor of college athletics $
against the essential work of an edu-
cational institution.
Collt sc foot ball. what with the
Princeton Harvard row, followed by
the Army-Navy squahble. the ki-yiing
out in the Missouri Valley over
charges Of breaking non scouting
agreements. Harvards reaCtionary act
with respect to this reform, and the
West Point.SyraCuse trouble last year,
have all combined TO place foot ball in
= light which should arouse grave
fears for its future in the minds OF
those who love the game. Contracts
GAZING JOT S0N,uuU SdiIIlSS 10 COdEilSS
90 not ameliorate the situation.
1t may be. of course, that Meehan
will not receive anywhere near this
sum. and that the reports are nothing
more than exaggerated publicity.
But. considering the matter from the
New York University ansle-waiving
all questions of appearances and et-
fects upon the public mind-if Chick
really is 10 receive this sum for three
years Of coaching. it will be no more
than a fair return for his services.
Economically New York University
will be found TO have made a good
bargain, since under Meehans admin.
istration gate receipts have increased
ten-fold il not more. and may increase
cumulatively in years TO come.
Perhaps an impression of what Nee
han has done TO earn such salary as
New York University has already paid
him will be strengthened by glance
over the achievements of his elevens
at University Heights as compared to
years before he was called thither. OF
the higher grade elevens met this
year. the Violet downed Rutgers, Car
negie Tech and Fordham. and was tied
by Penn State and Colgate. The team
lost only TO Nebraska.
Last year the eleven lost only to the
Cornhuskers. beating. among others.
Carnegie Tech, Fordham, Rutgers and
Tulane. In 1925, Meehans first year,
the team tied Rutgers and Columbia,
and lost TO Fordham and Rutgers.
The year before Meehan arrived,
New York lost to Fordham. 81 TO 0,
and Columbia, 20 to o. In 1923 the
team was beaten by Columbia, 81 to 0.
and Rutgers, to 8. Rensselaer, Poly
held the Violet to 0-to-0 tie.
The picture will be complete without
further citations of scores. What has
happened is this-New York Univers.
ity has emerged from the position of a
minor foot ball institution into the sun
of gridiron fame. She now plays and
defeats-or ties-rivals she would not
have dared formerly 10 face. Attend
ance al games which in former times
hardly taxed the limited seating ac-
commodations of Ohio field, now has
grown so that the Yankee Stadium is
not too large for home games against
attractive eievens.
Alma mater songs come from thou.
sands Of threats with a lustiness never
before equaled. and the dignity of a
uniformed band OF some so pieces, has
been attained.s Alumni who used to
conceal the fact that New York Uni.
versity was their alma mater, now
boast loudly about il, and fiaunt its
colors unctuously.
Put all this TO the credit Of Meehan,
to his skill in coaching and to his sue
cess in ra1lyfng qualified prep school
material 10 university heights.