T HE HESPERIAN
0
ATHLETICS.
Tito Cane llroiik.
The story begins at I a. m., Thursday, when one lone
sophomore saw two freshmen with a bundle of canes. Here
all traces of that bundle, destined to produce so many bumps
and scratches, are lost. On Thursday nit lit a gang of sophs
was elated at seeing a crowd of juniors u'tli a large box sup
posed to contain canes, headed for the un vcrsity. The sophs
held their breath until the box was depoi ted at the south cel
lar steps, where after the departure or the juniora they found
an empty tomato box. Hut the fieshies managed to hide the
canes in the closet on the second floor, ; nd to distribute them
Friday just before chapel exercises. The chancellor, proba
bly, was not in the secret for the chapel was open for the
regular exercises. The sound ( f sophc more hisses told the
breathless, expectant audience that the grinning faces of
freshics were entering chapel. One hundred twenty-five strong
they marched in with canes some canes, some clubs
decorated with ribbons of their class eolers, salmon and sap
phire. Chancellor Canfield dismissed the students with the
instructions to go out on the campus and remain until cooled
off. The "freshie" girls with flushed cheeks and fluttering
hearts marched tp the west steps and the freshman bnuiuU of
broom stick soldiers led by their plumed club-bearer, Flippin,
and his band of gladiators all marching in the steady and meas
ured tread of the historic Tenth legion, approached. As they
marched on the field thirsting for bleed, they needed no brass
buttons or glistening shields to send a thrill of pride through
the souls of the dear ones whom they left behind on the west
steps to mourn their loss and rejoice in their bravery. The
sixty sophs 'n fighting array surged to the north, while on on
ccmes that fierce, scowling brigade. With teeth set in dogged
detciminatir.n and muscles contracted, the little band of sophs
meet the advance guard. A seething, writhing mass of
humanity. Here moans of despair from wounds and defeat, as
the annul knight of '96 sees his weapon in splinters at his
feet. There, disrobed and dirty, frantically clawing dirt from
r.n overfilled mouth, lies a fallen hero of the band of '95; and
across his noble carcas lies a bleeding gladiator of the '96th
lcgi( n fondly holding his fevered brow close agajnst his heav
ing bosom. Julius Ceascr Flippin, the standard-bearer, flour
ishes in defiance his telegraph pole high above the turbulent
mass and withdraws to the rear where the club is hidden, and
again joins the forces. For twenty minutes the breaking con
tinued until the last cane which was brought upon the field
was broken. Two beams carried by Flippin and Yont of '96
came out whole. An attempt was made later to break them
with a pile driver but without success.
After the battle some blushing buds of irinocence encoun
tered some female cane breakers of the '95th legion, resulting
in the loss of three dozen hairpins which the bottle holders for
the combatants and the referee wear as watch charms, the
formation of thirty-six well developed bumps, the fracture of
one dress, and some new and original points in wrestling.
Here the curtain falls upon the scene for the observer here
withdraws from the throne of observation.
Since its foundation the University of Nebraska has been
almost destitute of sports and games which go so far to make
college life a pleasure aside from studies. Nothing enlivens a
college so much as u body of sport-loving students. Our uni
versity, like many other western colleges, has stood back and
watched with envious eyes the progress of sports in the east
ern schools, and not until last year did the students see an
athletic spirit entering with any decision, upon our campus.
Then was seen the resultof the efforts of the university ath
letic assoeiati jii to intioducc collage sports and athletics into
our university. We will not review the many good qualities
of our last year's foot ball and base ball teams, suffice it to
say, the university was proud of them and their work. While
it is true they did not always bring victory home, yet they en
countered old and well trained clubs, while themselves in their
infancy. Hut a splendid foundation was laid for solid teams
this year. We Inst seven foot ball and one base ball man by
graduation, and fine players they were, too, but their places
will be filled by new men without difficulty. Last year, it
will be remembered, two of our foot ball players were mere
"preps," s0 we nmv expect to find some good material among
the freshics. Every student and especially freshmen with any
inclination toward sports, ga'nes, or gymnasium work should
join the athletic association on entering school, for if they
have any abilities as an athlete they will soon be discovered.
Nothing makes a student of average abilities so popular among
the student body as to show a lively interest in college
sports.
Oliver, our old left hall back will probably play full back
for the team this year. Some good rush line men are badly
needed, however. It seems strange that foot ball men will
not get out and practice as they should when we will probably
play the Illinois university team in less than three weeks on
our home ground. On the 29th of November the team goes
to Denver to play an athlete association team which has a
great reputation, and soon after games will be played with
Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas universities. On all of the trips
the expenses of the players arc paid, so that these trips should
be some inducement for .proper and regular training. The
team will not be selected for several weeks yet, so that new
players will have a good opportunity to obtain places on the
first team, which has but six old players in school.
Andy Anderson, our old reliable center rush, has been and
will be unable to attend school this year. He has sent in his
resignation as captain of the foot ball eleven and has extended
his best wishes for its success. It will be difficult to find a
man that will fill the position of center rush as faultlessly as
did Andy, and the team will miss his steady reliable work.
Officers for the athletic association have been elected as
follows: President, Chas. Stroman, '93: vice-president, Jim
Canfield, '95; secretary, Fred Barnes, '96; treasurer, Ike Pace,
'95. Board of directors: Chas. Stroman, president, C. E.
Tefft, C. A. Elliott, Jim Johnston, Geo. Flippin.
Considerable difficulty has been experienced in obtaining
a. coach for the eleven. Telegrams and letters of inquiry
have been sent to a dozen leading coachers but with little suc
cess. Hut at present it seems that an Omaha man will be
secured.
Judging from the awkward manner in which some of the
new students make use of the gymnasium apparatus, Professor
Bowen will have some good subjects to work on in the classes
of physical training.
Most of the old base ball players have returned to school
this year and several new men of the correct style for players
have entered. A good team may be expected in the spring.
Lockers have been assigned to the foot ball players and
the bath rooms opened for their use. Jack Best has charge of
the bath rooms and administers to the wants of the bathers.
Jim Johnaton who filled the position of right half back and
captain of the foot.ball team so satisfactorily last season, has
been elected captain of the team for the coming season.
Fifteen new foot ball suits have been purchased for the
players so that with those already on hand there are plenty
for the second as well as the first team.
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