Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-25
COACHES QUER|ED
ON CODE REVISION
Would Learn Sentiment OF
Foot Ball Men Toward
Changes in Game.
BY III. c. BYRD.

oh III. -. III MI.
Whatever may be the final form Of
the foot ball rules when they arc pub
lisfc6 for the 1928 season. If the atti-
tude Of Bill Roper. Princeton coach
and member of the rules committee. is
al example OF what other members OF
the committee intend to do. the rules
OF 1928 will be far more expressive OF
general opinion and widespread
thought than in any previous year.
Certainly the rules Will represent
something more than an expression of
opinion from the members OF the COM
rnittee. for Roper has definitely COM
ffiitted himself 10 a policy OF getting
the views OF all foot ball men III the
district he represents. so that he can
coordinate those views and present
them to the committee at its annual
meeting.
"a Recently letters were sent by Roper
tp all coaches IN New York. New Jer-
sey. Pennsylvania. Delaware. Maryland.
District of Columbia and Virginia. re-
oCesting that all coaches meet with
him al Philadelphia January 80 for an
afternoon session. have dinner with
him. then hold night session, so that
all phases of the rules could be dis
cuSse6 and a determination reached
that would represent as nearly as pos
sible the composite opinion of foot ball
men IN the entire section.
Roper requested that all coaches come
especially prepared 10 discuss in the
main four possible changes in the rules
relative 10 the shift. the fumbled punt
the backward or lateral pass and the
goal posts Opinions are sought on
these subjects. especially because they
are the subjects that have been most
in the public eye and have been talked
about considerably wherever foot ball
men have met
There is not much doubt that If a
sufficient sentiment develops in con-
nection with any of these for change,
then that sentiment will be strongly
presented TO the committee by Roper
as representing TIE best foot ball
thought IN one of the great foot ball
sections Of the country.
Filling of the membership of the foot
ball rules committee is differently
handed now. men being chosen TO
represent certain sections. And in all
probability it will not be long before
the committee viii be made up of
representatives of the same geographical
sections into which the National Col
legiate Athletic Association is divided.
rules viii be made. but il would not be
@ surprise II the goal posts are placed
back or the goal line. That is the one
change effected last year for which few
persons. players, coaches or spectators
have had favorable comment.
The rule against the shift may be |
made even more stringent.
The rule that prohibits man run |
ming with fumbled punt after he has |
picked IT up probably viii mot BE- |
changed. but 1t is likely that a clear |
differentiation viii be attempted be- |
tween a fumb,ed punt and a muffed |
punt. or else it will be made entirely |
clear that there is no difference
The rule on the lateral or backward |
pass probably VIII stay as it Is, because
the play probably is not going TO mean
q good deal one way or another. II was
predicted a. the beginning Of last sea- |
son that notwithstanding the attempt |
through the rules 70 popularize the lat |
eral pass. the play in all likelihood /
would not amount 10 a good deal be- |
cause coaches generally were aware of |
the fact that the play was easy TO stop
and therefore not particularly good i
offensive weapon.
Bill Roper Is TO be congratulated on /
his action in attempting to find the /
composite sentiment OF his section. and /
he certainly viii gain a good deal In |
the eyes Of coaches thereby. And prob
ably out OF the discussion at Philadei- |
pi1ia viii come deal OF good and some |
worthwhile suggestions.
University of MARYLAND is meeting St /
Johns College in basket ball al College .
PARK tonight The Old Liners have two /
games scheduled this week. the one to- /
night and one Friday night with Viz /
gar13a. Notwithstanding Il is examina-
tion week. 1t was decided 10 schedule |
tvo games 50 that the general blueness
Of the week might be somewhat tenn
pered At least that vas the opinion |
expressed last year by one OF the deans
In connection with scheduling OF con-
tests during examinations.
s.. Johns brings good team 10 l
Maryland. a quint that defeated GAL /
1au6et and which has played excellent |
basket ball In every start. The team Is /
coached by Todie Riggs. who was a
star in athletics a. College PARK from !
1915 70 1920. Riggs left Suffolk. Va.
High School, where ne had charge Of |
athletics, 10 take charge at ST. Johns |
last September.
In addition 10 their meet with Vir- |
RiDlz IN the tank at BEookland Sat-
Grcay. Catholic University swimmers
have scheduled three engagements, Ia
tzyette viii BE- met February 10. Wash
ington and Lee March 8, and Della
ware. March 10 Tentative meets also
have been arranged with Lehigh for
February II end Williams end Mary
for February IS Excepting The Wash
aEgtorg and lee competition all are
schecuIec tor the Erookiand pool
V.ncen, Gallagher. Bill Lefr.eld and
Robert Nicholson. are the veterans on
the Cardinal team which Is being
ooacnec by Marx Coles, former Brown
University swimming team captain.
Nike Eheehan ard Noon Mullen are
other pronllsaeDt g, y. nata,ors and
Co,doys. DeiAsey and Piannigan also
g.4 sSs- x2GA