Evening star., 1963-01-20
APPOINT Plan
Acceptedb by
Both Factions
Macarthur Acts
AS Peucemuker in
Long Sports War

Long Sports War
NEW YORK, Jan. 10 (AP).-
Gen. Douglas Macarthur an
nounced settlement tonight Of
the long and bitter AAU-NCAA
power struggle in track and
field. The two groups imme-
diately announced they were
lifting the suspensions Of ath-
letes and the boycotts of meets.
The settlement was based on
a four-point plan offered by
the general at the start of the
negotiations yesterday.
The points are:
/. An immediate amnesty for
all athletes who have been dis
qualified by either group in
the dispute.
2. A lifting of the ban on
use of athletic facilities by
either group.
3. A board be formed of
three AAU and three NCAA
representatives of the NCAA-
backed U. S. Track and Field
Federation to pass on eligibil-
ity for the 1864 Olympic team,
with any disagreement passed
to Macarthur as final arbitra-
tor.
4.A recommendation to Pres
ident Kennedy that he call an
athletic congress after the 1864
Olympics of leading men in all
sports organizations to work
out a plan under which all
groups would pool their re-
sources for a united effort in
sports.
Sole u. S. Agent
The AAU had feared that the
last two poitns might cut down
on their authority. The Us
year-old organization has been
the sole sanctioning agent in
this country for the Inter-
national Track and Field Fed
Grafton, governing body of this
sport throughout the world for
the last so years.
The third point in the settle
ment gives the colleges equal
voice in passing on the eligi-
bility of athletes for inter-
national competition.
The sports congress called for
in the fourth point could lead
TO increased power for the
colleges and other groups in
fields where the AAU has long
held sway.
In a joint statement, the
NCAA and AAu said they be-
lieved the settlement would
assure the United States of the
greatest Olympic team in his
tory"
The suspensions and boy
colts will be lifted as soon as
"the authorities can be notified
and take the necessary action"
the statement said.
Most colleges had been re-
fusing to allow their athletes
to compete in the big AAU-
sanctioned indoor meets, and
the AAU had ruled some other
collegians ineligible.
The announcement Of the
settlement came after two days
Of hard bargaining between the
two warning groups. including
marathon nine-hour session to-
day.
Macarthur acted as arbitra-
tor at the direction Of Presi-
dent Kennedy. who had feared
the power struggle would ruin
the United States Olympic
team.
Under the agreement Mac
Arthur will remain as the man
who will settle disputes that
arise. at least until the 1864
Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Both Give a Little
In the settlement, both sides
had to give a little, although 1t
appeared on the surface the
AAU had surrendered a little
more.
The AAU had to recognize
the NCAA-backed u. S. Track
and Field Federation as the
agent responsible for high
school and undergraduate ath-
letes
The NCAA had to recognize
the AAU as the international
agent. It had sought to wrest
this position from the older
body, through the U. S. Track
and Field Federation.
This was spelled out in an
implementing agreement.
The groups used Gen. Mac
Arthur's opening statement as
the basis for their agreement,
with only a few changes.
One of the changes was that
the sports congress planned for
after the 1864 Olympics would
be called II desired. This APP
parently meant that the ma
tional meeting might not be
necessary If the agreement
works out properly.
The 82-year-old general re-
portedly did some head-knock-
ing In the sessions TO bring the
bitter rivals in line. He never
let them up, even TO go to
luIlCn, curing ttle long session
today.
He let them get hungry"
an observer said, and he
showed them he really meant
business.
And at the age Of 50. he
stood up better under the
grind than they did"
In a statement after the
agreement was announced.
Macarthur praised the good
will, patriotism and sound
common sense" OF both groups.