New Gridiron Opponents To Have Spring Practice

Harvard's non-Ivy League opponents are not taking the de-emphasis of football too seriously. All four, Colgate, Springfield, Washington, and Davidson, plan to conduct some sort of spring practice devoted to teaching football fundamentals and developing material for the coming season.

When the Athletic Association moved to case the Crimson schedule by dropping such high-powered teams as Holy Cross and Cornell, and picking up somewhat weaker-teams, they did not consider the probability of dropping spring practice.

Springfield University announced that it would conduct spring football this year as it has in the past. In former years the practice session has been confined to only non-varsity players, who are given a chance to prove themselves to the coaching staff. Those showing enough promise will be invited back for early fall practice, to be held after September 1. As Springfield's physical education program teaches "Skills and Techniques in Football" during the spring term, their spring practice can be incorporated into class work.

Though freshmen were allowed to compete on varsity teams at Springfield last year, a recent decision has made them ineligible for varsity competition effective this fall.

Washington

Abiding by National Collegiate Athletic Association rules, Washington University of St. Louis scheduled for October 11, will hold practice for 30 days. Article III. Section VIII of the NCAA Constitution states, "organized post season practice in football shall be limited to 20 sessions in a period of 30 days."

Blair Gullion Athletic Director, states. "Since we offer no athletic scholarships or subsidies of any type to athletes or prospective athletes, we feel that it is very essential that we conduct football practice in order to provide instruction and practice in the essential safety skills of the game." He further remarked that players entering Washington are relatively inexperienced in high school football and need the spring time for instruction and practice.

The freshman eligibility question at Washington is in a fluid state, depending on the decision of the Faculty Committee on Athletics. Previous to last year freshman were not allowed to play on a varsity squad, but due to a manpower shortage and the general college action on freshman eligibility, Washington did make them eligible for the 1951-52 season.

Washington will not play post-season games, because of the faculty's belief that such contests are not for the best interest of intercollegiate athletics.

In closing, Gullion emphasized that "Washington is one of the few major educational institutions in the United States operating on a strictly amateur program...."

Two Opponents Without Coaches

Colgate University's plans were thrown into somewhat of a turmoil by the resignation of last year's coach. Paul O. Bixler, and as yet authorities have not definitely decided to hold spring practice. The general feeling, however, is that some sort of early practice should be held in order to give the new coach a chance to look over his material and decide who will return for fall practice. William A. Reld, Colgate Director of Athletics, reported that the matter will definitely be decided in the very near future.

Freshmen will be given a full schedule of athletics next year in a reversal of last year's policy. Post-season games will not be considered at Colgate this year.

Davidson College is also currently without a football coach. Paul K. Scott, Director of Athletics, said that they, along with other Southern Conference teams, will conduct spring practice in accordance with the NCAA rules. Spring sessions will take place unless a coach cannot be obtained in time.

Freshman eligibility is an open question at Davidson, awaiting the May meeting of the Southern Conference. Scott stated that Davidson will, of necessity, have to follow the Southern Conference regulation.