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PHYSICAL CULTURE.
WILLIAM A. LAMBETH, M. D.,
Director of the Gymnasium.
The method of instruction pursued does not adhere
blindly to any system, so called. Proper recognition is
given to any method the whole or parts of which have been
useful or which indicate efficacy; for, however valuable
any system may be, it cannot be maintained in its entirety
without a consideration of hereditary tendencies, and of
individuality in physical possibilities, physical condition and
physical tastes. The plan of individual training is encouraged
in every case, and especially where an examination
discloses the student's inability to pursue general or concerted
exercises, either from threatened injury or inability
to profit by such work.
Students upon entering the University, are entitled,
without cost, to a thorough physical examination by the
Director. The examination includes an accurate measurement
of his physical proportions, a careful examination of
the condition and action of the heart and lungs and the
strength of the principal muscular groups; at the same time
information is solicited concerning his heredity. Upon the
basis of the information so gathered instruction will be
given as to particular exercises and the use of various
developing appliances, as indicated. The examinations are
repeated at intervals, the changes noted and new work suggested,
if desirable.
In addition to individual work, daily classes are given
in light gymnastics—marching, figure running, calisthenics,
dumb-bells, and clubs, adapted as nearly as possible to individuals
of all ages and physical conditions. The exercises
movement and proceeding to the more complicated and
arduous when the more rudimentary forms have been
mastered.
During the winter months gymnastics which require
great strength and agility are indulged in by those who are
fitted for these classes by previous training. This work, of
admitted spectacular character (yet having its usefulness),
is terminated by an annual gymnastic tournament, usually
in the first half of March.
The Faculty regulations on athletics require that members
of the University athletic teams shall give evidence of
satisfactory physical condition by making the following
strength tests, in addition to the regular physical examination:
Members of the football teams are required to make
a strength test of 1300 points; members of the baseball
team a test of 1100 points.
The points are reckoned as follows: The strength of
back in pounds, the strength of legs in pounds, strength of
chest in pounds, strength of forearms in pounds (pressure),
added to one-tenth of the weight (in pounds), multiplied by
the number of times the body is lifted by the upper arms.
The Fayerweather Gymnasium, the gift of Daniel
Fayerweather, of New York, is a handsome and commodious
structure on classical lines, situated on the eastern
slope of Carr's Hill, overlooking the Athletic Campus.
The first floor contains a spacious exercise hall, equipped
with the best and most approved developing appliances, as
well as apparatus for light and heavy gymnastics, a one-twentieth
mile concave-inclined running track, a visitors'
gallery, lavatory, trophy-room and the various offices. The
basement floor is concrete throughout, and contains the
baths—needle, shower, spray, tubs and plunge—supplied
with both hot and cold water; bowling alleys, ball-cage,
boiler-room, lockers, locker-room, dressing rooms and barber
shop. The building is heated by a hot water system,
ventilated by airshafts, registers and skylights, and lighted
by gas and electricity.
The Gymnasium is open from 7 a. m. to 7 p. m. every
day except Sunday. Attendance is voluntary and free of
cost to every regularly matriculated student. Classes are
arranged at such hours as not to conflict with other University
duties.
The campus adjacent to the Gymnasium and the Athletic
field on the southern side of the grounds, furnish
ample playground for football, baseball, tennis and track
athletics. The former contains a well-drained and ballasted
running track, four laps to the mile; on the latter, which
is enclosed, the exhibition games of football and baseball
are held.
ATHLETICS.
Games and sports of all kinds are under the special
direction of the General Athletic Association, a student
organization whose object is to promote this class of physical
exercises. The Faculty, by means of its committee on
athletics, exercises only a general advisory control, endeavoring
to foresee and avert dangerous tendencies or unwise
excess in physical exercises, while giving to the student as
far as possible entire liberty of management. But a strict
limit is placed upon the character of intercollegiate games
and the number played away from the University.
REGULATIONS CONCERNING ATHLETICS.
1. The Faculty Committee on Athletics is intrusted with the general
oversight of field and track athletics, and is authorized to forbid any features
in these exercises which endanger the health or the morals of the participants.
2. No one shall be a member of any University athletic team, or act
as such in any intercollegiate contest, who is not at the time of such contest
a regularly matriculated student or an instructor in the University.
3. No student will be permitted to play upon the University football
and baseball teams except after physical examination by the Director of the
Gymnasium, and with his approbation.
4. Leave of absence for the purpose of playing intercollegiate match
games may be allowed to the baseball and football teams, such leaves not to
exceed four days in the session in the case of either team.
5. No student under twenty-one years old will be permitted to play
with either team in games away from the University, either as a regular
his parent or guardian addressed to the Chairman of the Faculty.
6. Only students who act as regular or substitute members of the athletic
teams will be permitted to accompany them on trips away from the
University, except during vacations and holidays.
7. Special monthly reports will be made to the Faculty with respect to
the class standing and progress in study of each player on the athletic teams
during the football and baseball seasons, whether such player be a regular
or substitute member of either team or an applicant for either position.
8. Any member of an athletic team who is reported for neglect of his
studies or non-attendance on lectures may be required by the Faculty to
sever his connection with such team.
9. The athletic teams shall not have contests elsewhere than upon the
University grounds with any except teams from other institutions of learning.
10. Experts for purposes of instruction and professional teams for purposes
of practice may be employed on the University grounds, but only
with written permission from the Chairman of the Faculty.
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