Athletic Committee Makes Lightweight Crew Major Sport; Higgenbottom's Marker Paces Crimson to Upset Win, 5-4

The Faculty Athletic Committee voted Monday to recognize lightweight crew as a major sport. The Committee's decision resulted from a recommendation by the Undergraduate Athletic Council.

Dale Junta '58, president of the Council, said that recognition was based on the number of people participating in the sport and on the strenuous training period which the crew undergoes.

Although lightweight crew does not meet the requirements for spectator attendance set up by the Council two years ago, Junta said that "all requirements set up by the Undergraduate Athletic Council are very flexible and are applied realistically to each sport."

The lightweight crew will maintain its present status in relation to varsity crew. It is not to become a separate major sport, but will now receive the same letter awarded to the varsity.

Light Crew Petitioned for Change

The Undergraduate Athletic Council made its recommendation after studying a petition submitted by the light crew, Viggo Bertelson, captain of the crew, explained, "We felt that we qualified under regulations established by the Athletic Council."

The 150-lb. crew won three races out of the five it entered last year. It placed second in the Eastern Massachusetts Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regatta, competing against nine other shells. The crew also came in second in the Goldthwaite Cup Race. Princeton won both of these contests.

Lightweight crew became the fourth sport within three years to gain major sport status. Wrestling was raised to a major sport in 1956, and tennis and squash were elevated last fall. Noting that this indicates a consistent trend, Junta stated that Yale has raised nearly every sport to the major sport level. Harvard promotes the sports only as they become deserving, he said. Junta predicted that "Sooner or later almost every sport will become a major sport."

Principal requirements include the number of people trying out for the team, the number able to compete in games and the degree to which the team represents the College.