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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 can not 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 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
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 visitor's 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, exercise 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 and 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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