Evening star., 1952-01-15
Everybodys Taking q Kick at Football
By Brian Bell, Jr.

1.1O~
By Brian Bell, Jr.
EOR better or for worse. regulation Of
i college sports has moved out Of the
exclusive preserves Of the athletic d.
rectors and coaches toward the hands Of
the university presidents.
For years most colleges have left
alumni and the sports enthusiasts while
the presidents kept within their ivy
covered walls. ..s
Now the educators are moving IN.
The Southern Conference, Influenced by
its presidents. slapped q penalty on
Maryland and Clemson last month for not
needing their recommendation against
post-season bowl games. It ruled the
two schools could not play conference
opponents in football this fall. Last
week the special committee Of university
presidents informal but powerful
body-cane forth with far-reaching pro-
posals. 4
The big question now is whether the
demands put forth by the special COM
mittee are practical, can be enforced and
and will accepted by the National Col
legiate Athletic Association.
Except by few Of the most rabid Of
those connected with college athletics,
it is admitted that In view Of last years
football and basketball scandals, some
thing must be wrong with the general
setup. Just what is at fault and what
is the remedy?
The special committee Of university
presidents thinks it has the answer. The
group advocates that athletic scholar
ships be forbidden; that sports be
played only in their seasons; that schol-
arships be awarded only on the basis Of
educational ability and need and be con-
fined to tuition. fees, books, room and
board; that aid must come from the
university only and that coaches should
be given academic status.
To back up these rules and put teeth
in the plan, the committee would have
schools which didn't comply answer to
its accrediting association.
The NCAA few years ago passed the
so-called SANITY code," which struck at
football scholarships but could not be
enforced. Under the presidents pro-
posals, If q school violated the rules it
could have its academic standing taken
away-a crippling blow to university.
Adding more weight to the commit
tees proposals is the fact that its chair
man, DR.. John Hannah, is president of
Michigan State College, one Of the
strongest athletic powers in the Midwest
at this time.
Although the presidents say they will
not compromise. 1t seems that a COM
promise Is in order. Some of the COM
mittee's proposals are excellent, others
appear to go too far, and some look to be
unworkable.
Athletic scholarships have been long a
discussion. Some feel that football
players-to whom the majority Of the
aid goes-deserve help for spending two
to three hours day in hard work, which
results in a Saturday afternoon that
may be worth thousands Of dollars to
the school. Others think 1t unfair to
give boy a scholarship just because he
is proficient in athletics.
Such opposite viewpoints might be rec
onciled by giving football or basketball
player help. if he cannot attend college
without it, and If he maintains the
scholastic average expected of other
students. Some universities allow ath-
letes to take snap courses and arrange
that they pass their difficult subjects
even if their work does not deserve a
satisfactory grade. This. Of course,
should be stopped.
A laudable proposal. but difficult to
enforce. is to keep the aid within the
university. Overenthusiastic alumni and
worse-team supporters who didn't
attend the college. but "just like to see the
school have good team"-should be
curbed. They are the ones who in many
cases put up large sums Of money to
lure boys far from home. In too many
cases. these boys come for cash, not the
educational advantages Of the inSti-
tuition.
Frequently alumni and pseudo alumni
has losing year and their influence in
the hiring and firing of coaches is en-
tirely too pronounced.
No fault can be found with the pro-
posal that aid be held to room, board.
tuition and fees. More than this in the
form Of spending money. an automobile,
a better job for dad-offers that seldom
receive publicity, but often are made
lead athletes to believe they are on a
gravy train, not in an educational insti-
tuition.
Many claim these extras cause boys to
consider themselves more pros than
amateurs and put them in mood to ac-
cept bribes, as in the basketball scandals.
Conf1ning sports to their seasons will
be a major stumbling block. The
coaches will fight elimination Of spring
practice and bowl games. Many feel
that post-season contests are an over
emphasis Of athletics with the funds
derived used to get better players. the
boys deprived Of needed study time and
the athletes exploited for cash. But a
better case can be made for bowl games
than for off-season practice
In the spring "a young mans fancy
does not turn to football, but he is
forced to endure six weeks or of
bruising work. During the regular sea-
son, the players studies necessarily
suffer. When he has chance to catch
up in the spring term and have the nor
NAL fun a college boy enjoys during.
those months. be rs put back on the
football treadmill.
It Is true that much Of the money
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