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Nr>vemlH»r 14, 19.'U
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COLLEGE SOIL IT
What is college spirit ?'I* it/elta, flung hysterically from a “well-oned’* throat,
smashini in a moment of exultation, or players cursed when they tackle our men? Is it
slant and soul-stirring speeches by the yell-leaders, inspiring music from the band, .or
even victory ?
hats
con-
is it
Is it five gallons of “hell-raising” done on a Corps Trip?
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We are sure that college spirit, in most institutions today, exists in one Or more of the
forms we’ve asked almut ai>ove and for that reasop, it appears, in nearly all instances, not as
a fine and shining love for Alma Mater (sentimentally immortalized in so many meaningless
college songs), but as a sottish and bedraggled excuse for personal over-indulgence. ,
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College spirit has become part of a chain of magic phrases, invented to coi\jure up in the
childish student mind a wonderful deit>! whose c<gfimand.4 are: “Speed, liquor, artd women.”
Too close for decency, linked to college spirit, there are the phrases: let’s celebrate, tell me her
phone number, and hand me ya bottle, kid.
Thi re should be a college spirit, all right .... an honest-to-goodness respect for one’s
school, and a desire tp make that school letter! What we are driving at is that, in the 1 ma-
\ \ jority of cases, this kind of spirit doesn’t exist, \
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If an unquenchable thirst, regulated to support the athletic teams to the. bitter end, is
the only form of school patriotism available on a campus, then the institution in question is,
indeed, in a sorry state.
Athletics are fine for a college. The color, pageantry, and suspense involved are, in them
selves, justification for the money and time expended. Also, the appearance of an athletic team
on any field is a great advertisement for a college.
Hut—it would l>e lamentable if this were the only type of college advertising. The success
of a football team is not an academic barometer. If Jones, a graduating high sch<x>l student
who intends to major in mathematics at college, decides to enter Blank College, he doesn’t
(if he is the desirable student—the only type who should Ih» in college) base his selection on
the number of touchdowns that Blank made the precceding fall, but on the reputation of
Blank’s mathematical department. Elementary? Sure but it is apparent that a foot
ball team receives far more publicity than a mathematics department.
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The end of college athletics should Ih» diversion. Rigorous physical training for the
players, and an outlet,of mental enthusiasm tor the student ImmIv as a whole. If it becomes
the object of major interest, overshadowing the academic, then it is a detriment, and a
severe one at that. And furthermore, if it becomes an excuse for “celebrations” then, adver
tisement or no advertisement, it should l>e abolished. .
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So, along with your study of the coach’s methods, the team’s capabilities, andi the con
ference outlook, mix in a little information about the academic side of your Colleg^. Dp you
know whether the library is a good one or not? Does the school of engineering compare faVor-^.
ably with those of other schools? Are your fellow students cultured in manner, or are tftey
coarse and crude? Is the overhanging spirit on the campus healtKyi or unhealthy, froai the
intellectual point of view.
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Let your “celebrations” l>e conducted on simple!- and more sensible lines—do your drink
ing in a coffee shop where you can discuss your football team with a clear head. Otherwise,
you probably will thwart your own purpose, because football, the reason for your “celebra
tion,” is likely to be forgotten as the tide of stimulation begias to rise. And thus, your whole
week-end is really w-asted!