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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
measurements 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 are
gradual and progressive, commencing with the simplest movements 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
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 member of the team or
as a substitute,except upon written permission from 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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