Northwestern University - Syllabus Yearbook (Evanston, IL)

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SNVELL 'VIVHLOOH SSVTD

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re yorthvvestern, ear Book as fs. .553 decided to bar intercollegiate football temporarily. They realized, also, that it was impossible, under the old system, to get out enough men to give the 'Varsity sufficient practice to harden them for the strain of a heavy season, that it was neither an advisable nor a sane state of affairs when a considerable number of the men had to leave their laboratory or class work down town to make the trip out to Evanston every afternoon for practice. Under such conditions, the chances of physical detriment were large, the effect upon the candidates' class work could hardly be otherwise than demoralizing. The new plan comprehended the employment of an eflicient man who should be at the head of the department of physical culture, and who should rank as a professor. The abolish- ment of football was, indeed, a severe blow to the students, to the majority of the alumni, and, perhaps, to a small minority of the faculty, but the most radical defenders of the old system have come to see the matter in its true light. They realize some at least of the evils claimed against the old order of things and every Northwestern student and Alumnus is co-operating in the move to get every available man in school out for either the class or department team. That time will hardly come during our college generation but when it comes-as it must come-under the athletic policy now in its first stage of development-then we shall have our 'Varsity team again. A 'Varsity team, too, that will have the physical support of a large number of strong class and department teams to try out against. Consistent with their announced policy at the time of the shake-up at the close of the football season last ear, the trustees in the s rin si ned a contract with Prof. Gillesb for three . . . P g 3 . . Y years, and included a provisional arrangement for an additional two years. The past season in football was unquestionably a success, as a starter. As opposed to two or three dozen men playing football in former years, there were in all I5I candidates out for the various teams, and for this, much credit is due to the untiring efforts of Prof. Gillesby. Nor was money spared: the new football field was in even better shape than it was last year, and suits were furnished by the university. Next year Prof. Gillesby hopes to secure the services of a prominent coach who shall give his entire attention to football. His own ability as a detector and developer of the basket ball instinct, as he calls it, has already proved but little short of marvelous. The class games, which served as a try-out for the 'Varsity squad, was the most encouraging series of games ever run off in the old gym, ' ' At the end of the series, a squad of ten men was picked, for he believes that the best work may only be secured from a man when he is never quite certain whether someone else has him beat out for the next game or not. A squad, where every man is practically a regular, and at the same time a reserve, is less dependent upon its stars, for every one must keep Working all the time. Immediately after the holidays, two leagues were organized, making upwards of twenty Liberal Arts teams, alone, in the field, during the late winter and early spring months. In this manner much good material was brought out that had not shown up during the inter-class series. During the fall he arranged a basket-ball schedule with some of the strongest teams lf? theiWest, declaring that if we won but one ofthe games he should be satisfied for this year- a rea we have won that game, and from the strong Evanston Y. M. C. A. team, last year's championships in the Western A. A. U. series. As to track and baseball, we prefer to remain a dark horse-for a while. 'One thing is nolw assured, the student body is determined to give the new plan a thorough trial and it is quite evident. that their 'interest will be centered largely, for a year or two, in the organization of strong inter-class, inter-department, and inter-fraternity schedules. In the end this will do the W? Potro 455 18

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gbi ortliwesternfar Book c same thing for these departments of athletics as is now being done for basket-ball and must eventually be accomplished for football. V After the partial test already given the experiment, those who are best able to judge are agreed that it has been a success. What is more, they feel confident that in the future North- western will be cited as the pioneer of the newer, saner, and more sportsmanlilce athletic system- a system which in time will very closely approximate the English systern,where every man in college takes an active part in some form of athletics, where intercollegiate sport will have its place, but where inter-class and 'inter-department contests will be closest to the hearts of the students-bringing all the classes and all the departments closer together and making for a deeper and more healthy type of college spirit. The Football Season of 1906 In the athletic annals for IQO6 football at Northwestern Hlls an unique page. Paradoxical as it may seem, there was more football, and, at the same time, less football than ever before. Inter-collegiate contests have gone, the training table and the professional coach are traditions and the purple 'varisty is no more. Enter the class teams with the nondescript uniforms and their lack of knowledge of the game as compared with those of former days with whom football was a business. But, on the other hand, if football is played for sport and exercise alone, the class games have furnished greater opportunities for the average student than were possible under the old regime. Faults are apparent in both systems, but the power of choice does not abide in the Syllabus. During the whole season four class teams fought for the Championship of the College. Two games were played each Saturday. On one gala day the department schools came out to spend the afternoon. The Dental team defeated the Medical School and the Law representatives fought a select team from the Liberal Arts to a tie. The class games were planned so that each class met all the others. Owing to the new rules, numerous ties resulted until the only contests left were the Seniors and the Freshmen. The final game Was stubbornly fought. When time was called for the last half neither team had scored. It was agreed by the captains to play another period and still another until darkness interfered or the game was decided. The Fresh- men were finally defeated but not while an ounce of strength was left. The Seniors won by sheer endurance, which by no means detracts from the glory of victory. The season was successful because a preconceived plan of work failed in no detail what- soever. Football was kept alive. The men who played learned to play for love of the game. Although we may regret the passing of the inter-collegiate contest, we would be slow to declare class football a failure at Northwestern. VV' Potro Wig 20