Hopeful Harriers

Cross country coach Bill McCurdy was not satisfied just to have Miss Radcliffe present a trophy when his varsity harriers outran Yale and Princeton this fall. He even borrowed three walkie-talkies from Fort Devens so that WHRB could broadcast a "running" account of the meet. These publicity attempts show the interest with which the cross country team awaits the Undergraduate Athletic Council's vote on its status next week.

Because the team went undefeated this season, all letter winners will receive major awards. Unless the Council elevates cross country permanently, however, next fall's team, if not a championship one, will once again receive the customary minor letter. This "reward" policy illustrates the regrettable arbitrariness of the Athletic Association's major-minor letter system. Whether or not a player receives a major letter now hinges either upon his team's spectator appeal or its success. By disregarding the amount of time, ability, and hard work a sport demands, this policy contradicts the College's tradition of sponsoring athletics because of their participant value, not their spectator popularity.

In line with this approach the Council last week voted soccer a major sport, after the team had raised its letter requirements and had finished a triumphant season. At its next meeting, the Council will pass on cross country. To gain consideration, however, the cross country team should not have to rely merely on publicity via walkie-talkie. Cross country demands just a much athletic effort as any major sport, yet remains minor by official edict. Since cross country's standards for letter awards are already high, the Council should end this inconsistency and raise it to major status.