THE UNIVERSITY COURIER.
3
ATHLETICS.
College Athletics - News While the Snow Flies
Two Games With the Blues-Base Ball Practice Notes.
OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION.
An important meeting was announced to the Athletic Board to be held Tuesday noon. In accordance with the notice a quorum was present. The business in question was a financial one, and no one will deny that this comes under the head of important business. The Treasurer's report as published in this column a few weeks ago, showed that the amount of money available for miscellaneous purposes to be $53.18. This was not the total amount in the hands of the treasurer. There were besides two items, one, $40 a trophy won by the foot-ball team of 1892, and $150.25 the proceeds of an entertainment which was to be reserved for a building fund. It had been voted by the Association that these two amounts should not be molested.
At the meeting Tuesday a motion was made to add these amounts (150.25 and 40) to the contingent expense fund. This met with some opposition on the ground that these monies were reserved, and to disturb them was beyond the Constitutional power of the board. On the other hand it was held that $5218 is too small a sum to build up a good base-ball team, and provide the necessary materials for the spring tournament. The appropriation was made as a matter of expediency, and we have faith that it will prove a good business move by making a handsome return in receipts
It is important that every member of K. U. should know the exact condition of the Athletic treasury As is sometimes supposed, the Athletic Association is not "Coining money."
IS FOOT-BALL WAVERING?
There promises to be battle royal next foot ball season It may not be erroneous to say that the opposing forces have already come within reaching distance, and a few bombs have exploded in both ranks. This is no boys play, either, and unless the spirit of prophesy which seizes us at the pre ent writing is the same one that hovers around
the attics of weather observer Walker, and his unfortunate co-workers, we will suggest to fellow seekers of knowledge that you get under cover for something is going to drop.
For a long time there have been discordant mutterings and mild criticisms against the rough way in which foot-ball games are played. These have been general in tone and enlisted no particular attention or sympathy until within the last few months. When at the close of the foot ball season a reckoning was taken it was found that eleven lives had been sacrificed, to say nothing of the number of permanent injuries, and accidents of a less serious nature, people became justly alarmed. The press took up the matter, and a regular crusade was instituted. Public indignation was aroused. A number of the colleges suspended the game, but the foot ball season soon ended and with it the wounded feelings of the people.
A few weeks ago the faculty of Harvard college by a large vote decided to abolish inter-collegiate foot ball games. By a second oath it was decided to abolish the game entirely. This action is not decisive, however, and will be laid before the Athletic Committee. But it must be borne in mind that the faculty is all powerful This move has awakened the student body and people at large, and what the result will be, time alone must answer.
The University of Iowa has suspended its foot-ball, therefore breaking the circuit of which we are a part. This step was taken by the Athletic Association itself, because the faculty had suspended the Captain of the team who had "flunked out," and would not be reinstated by the faculty. This is probably only a suspension of operations, if reports may be relied on, with a view of intimidation
We do not put ourselves on record as opposing foot-ball. If kept within the bounds of common sense it is a healthy, vigorous, and excellent sport. It will continue popular so long as it is strictly a college game, and not polluted with professionalism. Our people enjoy rough and exciting contests, but not bull fights between men, and if the big eastern schools continue to work in blacksmiths and prize-fighters because, of their killing powers, foot-ball will die a quick and violent death.