Evening star., 1928-02-17
u. s. OLYMPIC PROBLEM
is KEEPING ATHLETES FIT
So Declares Lawson Robertson, Head Mentor Of
Team, Who Says 1t Is Mistaken Idea That
Men Need Lot of Coaching.

tests These men know their stuff.
Most Of them are seasoned club stars or
college men we'll developed, champions
and record holders.
Cannot Change Styles.
"In the short time they are gathered
for the Olympic trip 1t would be ruinous
10 attempt to change their styles or
teach them new methods Of training.
Nearly every man has some individual
ideas about his conditioning or the way
ne should jump. run or hurdle. The
coaches Job is TO keep them in good
humor and at the same time exercise
sufficient discipline to keep them at top
form between the tryouts and the actual
Olympic competition.
Here's another angle: Many-in fact,
most-of the athletes are the big stars
Of their college. club or district They
have been used TO recognition as the
big shot at home. But in the au-s:ar
Olympic outfit they lose and perhaps
miss the individual attention TO which
they have been accustomed It's a
natural circumstance. II they get the
proper slant they are all right but often
this situation presents problem to-
The coach. who needs TO be an expert
in human psychology as well as .n
training and advising"
It is for the best interests Of team
morale as well as practical handling Of
the squad that Robertson is opposed 20
the suggestion that Lloyd Hahn. Hal
Osborn and others be sent to Arnster-
dam in advance OF the main body Of
athletes to get the benefit Of additional
training abroad.
The theory Of those supporting this
idea is that our athletes have suffered IN
the past from lack of sufficient time 20
get rid of their sea legs.
Harm rather than good might come Of
this. in the opinion OF Robertson. who
believes that the weeks interval be-
tween the time Of the teams arrival II
Amsterdam and the start OF the Olym-
pics will be sufficient 70 regain any
edge lost on the trip overseas
Bud Houser. a double champion a:
the last Olympics. may forego the de-
tense OF his shotput crown this year
and concentrate on the discus throw,
IN which he holds the worlds record as
we'll as the Olympic title.
That is the idea he has in mind now.
according TO Robertson. but the former
Southern California captain may be
drafted for the shotput anyway. espe-
cially since the two men who were his
AAAaNA aGf 6AS AOAL dGO.
of Princeton and Glenn Ha-tranf. OF
Stanford, have dropped out OF compe.!-
ton.
Outside OF Eouser the best shotpue
prospects are John Kuck. the Kansas
star. and Herb Scnwa-ze Of Wisconsin,
although Gerker ot California and BIZ
Hoffman OF Stanford also are II the top
flight.
Dartmouth has at least two candi-
dates for ail-Eastern basket ball hono-s
in Capt Heep. guard and Lsngceu.
rangy center. whose feet 3 inches O.
height give him q big Jump over mos:
rivals or the tip-of. These two per-
formers played big part n Dartmouth's
disputed victory over Pennsylvania last
night n as sensational court battle as
the Eastern intercollegiate league has
seen this season. Heeps guarding tied
up PeD1'S crack forward. Schaa.. while
Langdel!'S jumping helped keep Dart
mouth well n the lead as long rs ne
vas IN the game.