THE UNIVERSITY COURIER.
5
ATHLETICS.
A Lively Interest in the Spring Exercises-That Interstate Tournament-The Field Day and Indoor Meet-Proposed Bicycle and Boxing Clubs-New Base Ball Rules...Notes.
THE INTERCOLLEGIATE TOURNAMENT
A J Foster, manager of the track athletics, was in Kansas City last week making arrangements for the proposed intercollegiate tournament to be held there sometime during May Representatives from Missouri and Nebraska were on hand. The matter was discussed at length, and it was decided that Iowa should be asked to take part thus completing the foot ball circuit.
Missouri has already reported favorably on the proposed tournament The college spirit of rivalry is high among these schools, and as the Fairmount Park management is anxious there is scarcely a doubt but that Nebraska and Iowa will willingly and heartily consent
A BOX'ING CLASS
Captain Armour, of the foot ball team, has been in communication with Mr. Purtell with a view to having him come here and organize a boxing class. Purtell has consented to do so if a class of ten, at least, or more of the students can be secured. The course will be twelve lessons, three afternoons a week, which will take just a month for the pupil to learn to whip his master. The terms are $10 in money and no initiation fee. The instructor, Purtell, is well known as a clever and scientific boxer His terms are certainly reasonable, and there is no reason why a large class should not be made up We would not encourage boxing as a business, or profession, and have little faith that many of our fellow students would choose this in preference to teaching or law. But it is one of the opportunities in life that should not be neglected. In the face of the tastes of our sport-loving fellows to see two brothers get in a ring and pound each other, there is scarcely a conservative man today who will not advise a young man to prepare himself in the "manly art of self defense." It is just as essential for a boy to be able to defend himself on land as he does in the water by learning to swim, and even more so, as the chances for a land defense
oftener present themselves. A good education and a ready tongue are among the highest accomplishments, but as we all know cases often arise when talking won't go then we'll be sorry we didn't take those lessons from Prof. Purtell. Incidently, it might be added that Yale teaches her foot ball players boxing lessons in connection with their training, which goes to show that even in kicking a ball, boxing lessons are not amiss. Any one wishing to join this club will hand his name to Capt. Armour as early as possible.
TO THE BICYCLISTS
President Maxwell, of the Athletic club, a few days ago received a letter from John E. Raisback, of Cincinnati, asking if there were any members of the University Bicycle club who would care to take a trip through England on bicycles next summer. This brings to light that K. U. has never had a bicycle club, nor has there been any steps taken toward the organization of one. There may be some reason for a lack of interest in this direction. It strikes us upon serious reflection that a few runs up Mount Oread might cool the ardor of any aspiring Johnson or Sangor. However there are miles of hard, level ground in the Kaw valley that cannot be excelled for wheeling. We are acquiring a wide reputation among the other colleges in the athletic field, and in order to sustain it we must be well equipped and organized in all the branches Just imagine twenty or more of the K. U. boys following the trail to Kansas City, filling the air with cries of "Rock Chalk," and a reception at the hands of the Kansas City Cycle club. The Athletic Association should put this plan on foot and awake more interest in this splendid sport.
THE NEW BASE BALL RULES.
At the meeting of the directors of the National Base Ball Association, at Chicago, Wednesday, a number of changes were made to the National rules. It was the unanimous opinion that what the people wish to see is free batting,and not so called pitcher's contest, hence the concessions to the pitchers' were few. This will not, however, encourage the managements to procure poor pitchers, and run the fielders to death, but as high a regard as ever will be held on the man who twirls the ball.
The umpire is given more authority, and