University of Massachusetts Amherst - Index Yearbook (Amherst, MA)

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XtJimddtL INDEX W( t Bebelopmcnt of tijleticg at ggie III 1869, when M. A. C. first opened her doors to the world, she also opened them to athletics. In those early days football, although an old sport in the mother country, had been practiced only to a limited extent by the New England colleges, and did not find favor at Aggie until a much later date. Rowing and baseball formed the popular pastimes of the first classes. Prior to 1870, the sport of rowing and shell racing was wholly confined to the classical colleges, such as Harvard, Yale, and Brown. Amherst College entered the field in 1869 and suggested the following year that M. A. C. take up the sport and participate in a regatta between the two institutions. . rowing association was organized with Arthur D. Norcross of ' 71 as President, and Wil- liam R. Peabody of ' 72 as Commodore. A regatta was arranged to be held on the Connecticut River at Hatfield, and a crew consisting of the following men was chosen: Geo. Leonard and Gideon Allen of ' 71, Edward Hardy of ' 72, Henry B. Simpson and Fred C. Eldred of ' 73, and George A. Duncan of ' 74. The course was three miles, with a turnstake one and one-half miles down-stream. The race resulted in a victory for M. A. C. Encouraged by this successful beginning, in 1871 the college joined a newly organized Rowing Association of American Colleges. The first regatta was to be held at Ingleside the following July 21st, over a course three miles straight-away. Old Aggie was represented by the following men: Leonard and Allen, ' 71; Simp- son and Eldred, ' 73; A. D. Norcross, ' 71, and F. M. Somers, ' 72. 13

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INDEX The college association reorganized, electing Geo. H. Snow, ' 72 President, and ting Peabody, ' 72 Commodore. The crew went into training at once, the work consisting of practice on rowing weights arranged on the first floor of the old laboratory building, and running on the roads in the vicinity of the college, the latter exercise taken at night just previous to retiring. The crew, while thus exercising, often enjoyed the company of numerous followers, who trailed after them either to encourage them in their work or for the fun of the thing. As soon as the weather would permit, practice was begun on the river in the old boat, once weekly at first, later twice, and finally three times a week. It was the custom to walk over to the river after dinner, have their practice in the boat for a couple of hours, and then take a run back to the college by way of North Amherst. In the meantime, the association purchased from Amherst College the boat in which her crew had rowed against M. A. C. in the previous race. This boat was much longer, narrower, and deeper than the old one, hence much better suited for the straight-away race which had been decided upon for the ' 71 regatta. Ten days prior to the race the crew repaired to the course at Ingleside and took up quarters at the Ingleside Hotel. They gave up their whole time to training under Josh Ward of the famous Ward Brothers. The great race drew an immense attendance and the excitement was at a white heat. College crowds thronged the banks and bridges. Harvard ' s friends being most numerous, although a tremendous delegation from Brown was a close second. Conditions were ideal. The river was as smooth as a mirror. Betting was free. Harvard being fully backed, with Brown third in the pools. At 7.04 o ' clock, the crews received the word and were off. M. A. C. seemed to catch the water first. Both Brown and Harvard caught together, and the race was on. Stroking 47 to the minute, the Aggies dashed ahead of both rivals and continued to gain, foot by foot, slowly but surely, while Harvard and Brown fought desperately for second place. As the race progressed, M. A. C. continued to gain on Harvard, while the latter gradually widened the distance between them and the floundering Brunonians. Speculation ran rife on the banks and bridges with the Harvard supporters ever confident of a win. As the crews came nearer and nearer on the home stretch it was plain that the men from Amherst were winning, and, amidst the wild yells of her jubilant cohorts, the Maroon and White crew passed the finishing line, winners over Harvard by four- teen lengths. It was our first great inter-collegiate victory, and the last boat race in which M. A. C. ever participated. Baseball now claimed the attention of the men of the early classes. This game was played in a more simplified and primitive manner than it is today. The game in those days was by no means as strenuous as the one we now see, and did not create any such degree of interest. It is interesting to note that the ball in those times was tossed to the batter instead of being pitched. The smoke 14