The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-11-14
PITTSBURGH MENTOR
SAYS LEAGUE TEAMS
LACK PROPER SPIRIT
Admits, However, That Profes.
SIGNALS Are Superior as
individuals
EXPERIENCE is VALUABLE
Declares Collegiate Game Has
Much Finer Atmosphere
Throughout
BY JOCK SUTHERLAND
Coach. University Of Pittsburgh

Coach, university OF f'lttSDufSn
Pittsburgh Nov. 14.-In every foot
ball coach's life there comes q time
when he feels like comparing collegi-
ate football with professional football.
And despite the overwhelming critic
ism which such a comparison is sure
to awaken, that's exactly what pro-
pose to do.
In the first place, the professional
player has certain advantages which
insure him greater skill than the col
lege player. He is generally three to
six years older, and those years have
unquestionably brought wealth OF
football experience that the college
player cannot hope to combat.
X X \
In the second place, the profession
al is able and more likely to concen-
trate upon the sport more intensely
than does the collegian. To him, foot
ball is his means of livelihood, and for
four months out Of the year he thinks
OF nothing else. His fear Of being
fined forces him to train, and know
ING that the only way he can remain
in the lucrative profession Is by con-
slant practice, he directs all his ener-
pies toward improvement and Elf
cheney.
The college player. on the other
hand, is forced to assume other du-
ties. He must carry weekly sched-
ule of approximately Is hours Of class
room work. He is expected to spend
at least 80 hours weekly, outside q
class. studying: and unless he does
he is frequently declared ineligible.
,, Besides, the average athlete Is en-.
gagged in one or two fraternity OF
campus activities that demand time
The result is that he finds himself
unable to concentrate upon football
He applies himself when on the prac'
tice field, but after spending two OF
three hours in football toys, he mus
hurriedly return to his room ane
tackle books ON philosophy or politl'
cal science.
| Granting. then, that professions
football should he superior to college
football, now feel obliged to explain
why I believe that in reality 1t some
times is not. If you take the out
standing college team OF the country
whose players are all big and heav.
and experienced, and in addition I'm.
bued with the typical college splri.
(Which no professional team has
believe that by virtue Of its spirit ane
enthusiasm, it will be able to Oppose
professional team successfully.
All of us know cases where deter.
mination and spirit have overcome
superior ability. I for one still be.
lieve in that old Roosevelt slogan, II
YOU won't be licked, you can't y
licked"
TAKE the instance Of Reb Russell
the great fullback Of the New YorI
Giants. A few weeks ago saw hin
tear the line of the Pittsburgh Pro.
fessionals to shreds. Yet In 1871
when He was playing for Nebraska, 9!
inspired University OF PittsburgI
team held Nebraska scoreless ane
without q first down for the entlrt
game, and there were no Pitt suosti
buttons. In 1880 saw this same Rus
sell, then playing for Northwestern
held on the two-yard line tor fou'
successive downs by q Notre Dam
team.
In professional football, the emo
tional appeal of the sport ceases Will
the final whistle Of the game. IN col
leciate footballs the jubilation Of VIC
tory and the pathos Of defeat exten'
into the very hearts Of the players. =
ore group the game Is a produce
of revenue. To the other It Is grea
sport. To one it is something to 3
endured. To the other 1t IS some
thing for which to live.
TO say that 1t is unfair to com
mare professional football with col
liegiate football, purely on q basis 9
lexcellence Of play, is to summarize "a
obvious. Good sportsmanship, FRIEND
ship. love Of the game unadulterate
|by monetary motives, are only re-
Of the factors that must bepconsideree
I sincerely believe that collegiat
football because Of the things q