58
The University Courier.
ATHLETICS.
Eastern crews are rowing out of doors whenever the weather permits.
Critics report that the Yale crew's most serious fault lies in her miserable time.
Yale has thirty-eight men training for the long distant runs in the coming field day.
J. W. Cooper, secretary of Missouri State University Athletic Association reports athletics to be in a flourishing condition in that college. In foot-ball they have been quite strong the past year, while last year's base-ball team won eighty per cent of the games played. Field day is observed with great interest and with much success. Some of the best all around athletes, among whom are known to K.U. men Shawhan, Young, Brace, Hodge and Anderson. Much interest is taken in athletics at Washington University at St. Louis, while Fleet's Military school is rapidly pushing itself to the fore.
Walter Camp, in his article on "Undergraduate Limitation in College Sports," in Harper's Weekly, February 11, 1893, says: "The immediate cause of the action was probably a thorough discussion of the increasing professional tendency in college sports, and the discussion was carried on by several New York gentlemen most actively interested in the general welfare of athletics. After many plans had been suggested and been rejected as unwise or impracticable these gentlemen reached the conclusion that limitation to undergraduates was the most simple and plausible. In track athletics and foot-ball only are these bodies arranged to make rules and limitations, hence the foot-ball association was made to bear the brunt of the battle which was almost certain to follow legislation of any kind." Mr. Camp seems to think that no matter what action is taken the rules will be modified after a year's trial, but nevertheless will be of radical benefit.
The results of the recent meeting of the athletic board seems to have given athletes an incentive for hard work. Everyone seems elated over the fact that a running track is to be placed in order at once and that the rink has been secured for baseball practice. About fifty applicants for positions on the team have handed their names to Manager Adams and daily practice is going on. No less than three hours practice a week is required of each candidate, with the privilege of as much additional practice as he wishes. In addition to base-ball, hand-ball has been started in the rink and is rapidly pushing itself into prominence. For the past few days base-ball has been the theme for discussion throughout the halls, well showing the interest which is being taken in spring athletics. Competition for positions on the coming team will be rife, and "He who would honor have must win it."
The triangular field day meet promises to be a day of unusual interest in Kansas. Washburn, Baker and Kansas University, with possible representatives from other colleges, will compete in the following contests: one hundred yards, two hundred twenty yards, one-half mile, one mile running races, one hundred yard and two hundred twenty yards hurdle races, putting the shot, throwing the hammer, broad and high jump, pole vault, mile walk, and bicycle race. This meet will be the initiatory step of a custom which in future years will enable Kansas college men to compete with one another in the various field day sports. Not only this, but with enthusiasm at its highest, competition will not stop in the state but our state winners will wish to compete with eastern colleges. There is no reason why Kansas should not send representative men to the Inter-State Field Day meets held at Mott Haven, New York, to which all colleges in the United States are eligible. Of course we appreciate the fact that eastern college men have advantages the entire year which are far superior to ours and that college enthusiasm in the east is always kept at a greater tension, but it is only a matter of time until our western colleges will be able to compete with their eastern sisters.
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