1905-06 Volume 30 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

I02 THE SCROLL.no more fatalities from heart disease than would be naturalin the same number of men anywhere. I positively believethat training of athletes, with the exception of a few overtrainedmen, has given us fine specimens of educated men,and that general hygienic and clean living has been promotedamong educated men as a result of the example of athletictraining. Only a few men have had their names becomefamous in connection with university teams and events, buthundreds are stimulated to exercise and right living."On the other hand. President Faunce of Brown said: Itis a fact that the average football man has no time nor strengthfor study during the football season, and sacrifices himselfintellectually to the success of his team. Rowing frequentlyleads to overstrain, but baseball, tennis, and track athleticsare immensely helpful in animating mental vigor both in collegeand in later life."President Stone of Purdue said: ' College men generallyare of the opinion that athletics as it is pursued now is antagonisticto good scholarship and it may be that this conditionfollows them through life. Unless he is a phenomenon, astudent seldom achieves greatness on the athletic field andhigh scholarship at the same time."President Plantz of Lawrence said: "l think that trainingis now being carried to excess, practically making professionalismof college athletics and impairing the intellectual workof many students to their detriment. It is desirable, asPresident James says, to have students more generally participatein athletic sports than is being done under the presentcondition."President Thompson of Ohio State said: "l think it isgenerally believed that rigid training is not conductive to longevity.I think colleges should be more strict in examiningstudents before permitting them to undertake the extremetraining."Prof. John H. Gray of Northwestern said: "it is notexpected of athletes that they lead their classes, and too muchshould not be expected of them. Instead of discontinuingathletic sports I think more attention should be paid to them.President James is right in pointing out the evil of allowingonly a few students to participate." Prof. Walter Dill Scottof Northwestern said: "Athletics are of great value in collegelife, and efforts should be made to make them of value toas many students as possible. Association football and tenniswould help to a great extent in doing this."