Nov. 26, 1917.

ATHLETICS IN WAR TIMES

by Chancellor Avery.

The sobering thoughts of war times again challenge the place of athletics in the college world. When the country was in the height of its prosperity and seemingly safe athletic activities were justified on the ground of recreations, of promoting college spirit, and of increasing the solidarity of the University community but now other considerations must also be weighed. Our first duty in war times must consist in our readiness to undergo any suffering or privation necessary for the successful prosecution of the war. To just what extent any particular activities should be abridged cannot be answered offhand. Business cannot be continued as usual with millions of men and billions of dollars devoted to the prosecution of a great war. Nevertheless we should unquestionably go on with most of our customary pursuits until the distinct call for service or sacrifice comes. Athletics have in the past contributed their part to the winning of victories. It may not be true that Waterloo was won on the English football fields before the war but that these football fields developed a type of physical prowess and manhood that were a potent factor in the struggle cannot be well denied. The record of our training camps shows that the athlete has a certain marked advatage over his comrade who has never had this physical training. The lists of the commissions awarded show that the army officers recognize in college athletes excellent future officers. The athlete's training has demonstrated its value in the efforts of the country to form a fighting machine able to cope with the Prussians. College athletics then will doubtless continue during the war. As the choicer athletes go into national service others will be trained to take their places. The time may come when it will be necessary to abandon all intercollegiate contests but that time is not yet in sight. The war will stimulate a feeling of sobriety in athletics the high finance which has prevailed in college circles will be reduced more and more to reasonable proportions; physical training will be emphasized and the more winning of victories take a subordinate place. The football man will become in popular estimation what he should be a future legionary training to defend civilization against the inroads of the Goths and Vandals and not a gladiator to amuse a careless and fickle populace.