Tine NEBRASKAN
17
small fraction that distinguishes the good
man from the indiiVcrent, or even from the
poor man. It is always this little bitot extra
ellort or excellence that tips the scales and
A LETTER FROM CO A CH CRA WFORD.
The are no individuals among the under
graduates of the University who deserve
more credit than the members of thu second tells the story.
eleven. These faithful men clothe them- If you have a coach, remember that your
selves in a mere parody of a football suit and rivals have a coach also ; if you have some
daily appear upon the lield to battle with men excellent men, bear in mind that they are
stronger and more skillful than themselves, equally fortunate ; if your team is better than
and nobody can know how unpleasant a task last year reflect that it is the same or ought
is theirs until he has actually lined up with to be with your opponents,
them. All thought leads directly to one result,
The work they are doing I call a task; to and that is this: If victory is worth a Htrug-
sccure the best results in foot ball it ought to gle, and it is, we must leave no stone un-
be made a duty, but it can only be such when turned. With Cato-like persistency I close
you accord to the second eleven some reward, this article. "A large attendance at the prac-
which must at least be your heartiest appre- tice games is earnestly solicited."
ciation. Frank Crawford.
When we think of it I am sure we are
grateful to the college side or second eleven, fTkVokr
but something more must be done. We must '
make their work more pleasant to themselves
and profitable to the 'Varsity, and this can A great deal is said, mostly in the west, by
readily be accomplished by a little more in- old women of both sexes about the "brutal-
terest and a more efficient organization. ty" r foot bal1- 1 shall not compile statis-
The second eleven ought to have a captain tics as to the relative number of injuries re-
and a manager. Games with the surround- ceived by participants in foot ball and other
ing schools and colleges can be easily ar- athletic games. Undoubtedly there is a
ranged upon Saturdays and a good deal of brutal element in everything into which mus-
sport and experience can be derived from cle outers. But what game is popular with
tjiem boy or man unless it involves risk of break-
Wilh some interesting game in view, 1 am ig "is neck? What athletic sport is so
sure that the second eleven would be much harmless that he will not play it violently and
more efficient and capable to give to the enjoy it in proportion? Perhaps the spirit
'Varsity that defensive practice of which it which caused the ancients to throng to glad
stands so much in need. iatorial shows is not entirely extinct in man,
This week some new men will appear for for certainly such games as foot ball are in-
the lirst time, and this will tend greatly to creasing in popularity.
strengthen the college side, and if the proper Yet it is a grave mistake to attribute the
interest is displayed I see no reason why the popularity of foot ball to any such spirit,
second eleven cannot beat any team in the People who understand the game and no
state except the' Varsity and perhaps Doane, others enjoy it go to see the marvellous re-
although she ought to be no exception in fut- suits of human patience, training and skill
ure years. which a well-trained foot ball team exhibit.
The 'Varsity team is rapidly improving and The struggling piles of human beings which
a strong team is confidently expected, but seem merely the work of chance and excite-
wheiher a winning team or not will depend ment are carefully calculated and are planned
largely upon whether you take extreme in- and led up to by prearranged and studied
ere st and make extreme efforts. It is a signs. Horse racing is a somewhat similar
