Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 2, 1903)
B.fl., tjmmm. -mmmmmmmmmm i -. i fi Barrett J. A. 9 ZTbeBailv IFlebraehan 4 ' J&l VoLBL UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA, LINCOLN, THURSDAY, APRIL 2, J903. No. H9. fr WESTOVER OBJECTS.' Nebraska's Ex-Captain Says "No Professionalism." Lincoln. Neb.. April 1. 1903. To the Editor of the Daily Nebrnskan: Dear Sir In the issues of the Daily Nebraskan of the past two days there havo been editorials In regard to the Way in which athletics are governed In the 'University which I wish to take exception to. as the way In which the are worded is apt to give the general student body and the public a wrong idea of the Interpretation of some terms used. These editorials at least do no good unless there Is some plan or scheme laid out which will better athletics; and they are apt to give men who will become candidates for the different teams a wrong Impression as to the make-up of the teams: they wjll probably think that salaries are being paid, and that there Is no chance for the pure amateur to make a team. Ttyjy Will, leave the impression with thein that certain men are Imported to play and that no one could win ft place even if a better player. A "pro fcsslpnal" in athletics is generally a man who has used his athletic skill for money gain to himself. The athletic board does not, when they are looking up a man to see If he Is eligible for a team, hunt around to find out If he has ever received money for playing some game, but they go to the regis trar and "find out If he is a. bona fide student that is it he is carrying regu lar work in the Upiversity. Of course there are other regulations which apply to the work he has done In the past at the University. Looking at the case of Mr. Beltzer from a student's standpoint. If after considering the facts we find out that he only came to the University to play baseball for the season, and that he would never show up again, then he should not be allowed to register; but If he came seeking for knowledge, then he should be admitted. In one of the articles mentioned it was charged that, "our athletic board provoked a cynical smile by protesting a Knox man on account of professionalism." The board was clearly in the right by pro testing the man; he was not protested on account of professionalism, but on account of ineligibility that Is. he had nlayed more than six years on the team, having played two years as a preparatory student and four years whilo in college. As to our own team being "permeated with professional ism," I think that is entirely false, and I know nothing about it. It was ru mored and charged that a certain man was paid to come to school and try for the team, but in this case he did not make, th,e team and at least did no harm to any amateur that was trying for the team. No proofs were ever ottered in this case. Football Is on a better basis In Nebraska than in other schoolB. Our board does not pay trans portation for preliminary training, as la done in eastern institutions; it col lects the training table bills, which moat of the other boards forget about, and no free rooms are provided for In training quarters. So you may easily see that what a man gets here Is very small in comparison with the other schools. No one can complain If a newspaper or some benevolent person gives a man a Job where he can easily earn his expenses, keep up his studies and take part In athletics. Any one that (an work such a graft as this Hhould be complimented. The attack on Coach Gordon is also unjustifiable. He has no doubt de veloped some good pltcheis. as we will find out later In the Benson. If he helped himself while coaching, that Is his own lookout. The athletic board knew how long he could stay with them before they hired him. In regard to the picking of tho team. If we are going to follow the methods In vogue In the east and I think that It would be a good thing for athletics at Ne braska If we did we will let the whole responsibility fall on the captain; he then knows that he Is responsible to the University, and he must take the whole blame If a game Is lost by bad Judgment. In this way politics will beT left entirely out of the game. Coach Booth introduced this system here thcc yeais ago In football. He has acted merely as an adviser, and from the results obtained It was not a fail ure In that game. It would be a mighty good thing for the University If she could be successful enough to get a man that could coach all brandies of athletics, as Mr. Stagg does for of Chicago. Such men are scarce as athletes are specialists, the same as the professors are. JOHN WESTOVER. WILL MEET NORTHWESTERN Track Team Will Compete With Evanston Men. The Nebraska and Northwestern track teams will meet on Nebraska field this spring. This conclusion was reached yesterday, when Manager Wal ton received the following telegram from the Northwestern management: "Any dato except May 10 or 30." This was received In reply to n request for a meet. For Borne time the Ne braska manager has been negotiating with Minnesota In an endeavor to get a meet on the home grounds. Yester day a final communication wbb re ceived to the effect that the Minnesota authorities had turned down the propo sition of a meet with Nebraska. North western was wired at once with the above result. The meet will likely-be held on May 23. This news is certainly very gratify ing. Track men can now rest assured that there Is something more than usual to work for thlB yenr. A com ing meet with one strong football rhal of the east will certainly add great zest to track work. If good ma terial has anything to do with making a team, we ought to hae an aggre gation which will give the Northwest erners a surprise. Such a meet Is very much desired from a financial, point of view. The other two meets, with South Dakota and Kansas, are away from home. This big meet at home will certainly tend to place track ath letics on a paying basis. Campus Gleanings. University C'Alntnr. Saturday. April 4. Band Informal, armory. Tuesday, April 7. MrB. Southwlek Reading. Thursday, April 17. Senior Prom. L. S. Lcgro Is back In school after a two weeks' struggle with malaria. Bernard Berggren of Wahoo Is spending his vacation In the city as the guest of Professor and Mrs. Wallace. The Delta Delta Delta sorority has challenged the Kappa Kappa Gammas to basket ball, baseball, and bowling matches. A Good Practice. A fine practice was held yesterday. The warm weather seemed to put spirit Into the men and each one showed up In his best form. Captain Townsend said, "The men aie doing well, and a better showing than I expected has been made." The method of practice was as usual. A six-Inning game was played, resulting in a small score. Bender was not out, and Whitcomb filled the place behind tho bat. The men who are in today's line-up, to gether with five others, constitute the first squad. At the end of the week the first squad will be cut down to fifteen men,who will compete for the final squad of eleven who make the eastern and southern trip. The fact that no one will be permitted to play on tho baseball team unless he made twelve hours' credit In his last semes ter's work Is causing considerable com ment. One of the strongest men on the team is unable to meet with this requirement, and Is likely to be kept off of It on this account. He believes, however, that matter can be adjusted by his making up his work. It is seri ously hoped that this Is the case. To morrow's line-up will be as follows: Bender catcher, Morse and Longae necker pitchers, Wilson first, Town send second, Hood third, Steen and Johnson short. Burg and Cook center field, Shelmer left field, Gore and Sprague right field. It Is safe to say that never In the history of the Institution have so many track athletes appeared on the field as came out yesterday. Thirty-eight men repotted for practice and all did good work. Eleven of them were long distance runners. Track supplies have been ordered, and the men will soon be completely equipped. ThlB afternoon the 'arslty baseball team will meet the Lincoln high school nine In a practice game. This Is an annual event of considerable Interest and Is ordinarily attended by a good crowd, as no admission is charged. It is the intention of the high school lads to make a better showing this year than ever before. The team Is reported stronger than last year's. It Is composed partly of old men, and some fine new material has shown up. The game will be called at 3:30. It Is thought at present that a base ball game with Chicago University will not take place. The schedule Is a heavy one, and Just now It seems hard ly advisable to take on this game. Nevertheless, the admission fees which would be taken In at this game are quite an inducement, and the challenge may possibly be accepted yet. Eat at Don's Cafe. Oliver Theater Pharmacy. The large frame house on the south east corner of Twelfth and R streets seems to have been put to n new use. A new sign, "Frat Tap-a-keg-o-beer," Is painted In bold letters abovo the we3t door. Olen Chapman, who was obliged to leave the University last week on ac count of HI health, has been seriously 111 at his home In Aurora. Iito re ports, however. Indicate that his con dition Is Improving. .Martin Hlltner, who Is an old gradu ate of the University and who haB been doing assaying work at Lead, 8. D., for tho past year, will succeed to the vacancy made In the chemistry depart ment by tho resignation of his brother, R. S. Hlltner. He will remain In charge until the end of the year only, when the vacancy will bo permanently filled. Lynne Spafford has received an ap pointment to the U. 8. naval academy at Annapolis, through Congressman Stark, the representative from his dis trict. Mr. Spafford is a freshman In the University and Is to bo congratu lated upon the fine opportunity that has been opened to him. He will take IjIb physical examination at Grand Island during the latter part of this month, while his mental examination will take place In June at Annapolis. He will remain In the University until the close of the present school year. Let the Lincoln Transfer Co. haul your trunks. 'Phone 176. The work of preparing the tennis courts for this year's use wa begun yesterday and will be completed as rapidly as possible. Strips of about six feet are being cleared on the east side and south end. Both will be added to the playing area of the courts, mak ing three full doubles, and It Is hoped the south-side clearing will aid In draining and more rapidly drying the grounds after rain. Several low spots are being filled In, In an endeavor to .raise the courts to a uniform level. When completed, the improvements will add largely to the reliability and pleasure of the game for Uni players. , The young men are anxious to begin the season's playing, and are urging the completion of the improvements at the earliest possible moment. m Eat at Hendry's, 129 North Ele. . .i J i i A .$ i fj ' . ..'. M tab rtft v. "til . -, .v. JT f3 V - 1 i . L- L r& I'.-. V . ' -5 ' v Z, jt TH '!& T. - . ' ' j ..jjfcaLi ., V l " A. iLiMt Bass'; v 't. .