University Will Reject Offer to Rent Stadium

The University is not considering renting Harvard Stadium to Boston's recently organized professional football team, a high Administration official said yesterday. The Corporation is expected to make an official decision at its Monday meeting.

William H. Sullivan, Jr., president of the team's syndicate, confirmed that at a meeting held here yesterday an official told him the University thinks using the Stadium for professional football would connect the Harvard name directly with professional sports, and would be "inconsistent with its philosophy of athletics."

The head of the ten-man group added, "I have the impression the door is not yet closed." Sullivan will wait until the Corporation's decision next week, but he admitted that he is now looking to his second choice, Fenway Park, for a playing field.

No Formal Offer

The University has not yet received any formal offer; all proposals to use the Stadium have come only indirectly through influential alumni and politicians, the University official said.

Sullivan stated that he discussed the issue last week with Thomas D. Bolles, director of Athletics, but admitted that several alumni not in the syndicate had approached the University informally.

According to Sullivan, however, "the syndicate has definite Harvard overtones." In the group are one alumnus and two members of prominent Harvard families.

Group Seeking Other Sites

The group wanted the Stadium because it has the largest capacity of any local playing field, its parking facilities are relatively good, and the Harvard name would be an asset. The owners had built many of their plans around the Stadium and now must seek one of four alternative sites in the area.

Although aware of the Fenway Park management's policy to forbid football in its ball park, home of the Boston Red Sox baseball team, Sullivan said, "That was six years ago; people change their minds."

Hopes for Fenway

Saying he was as optimistic about Fenway Park as about Harvard Stadium, Sullivan will seek the baseball park next, over Boston College's Alumni Field and Boston University Field. The Manning Bowl, a stadium in suburban Lynn that seats 22,000, has also been mentioned as an available playing site.

The new team needs a home for about two years until a proposed stadium is built in Norwood by a group that Sullivan also heads. The modern, all-weather field will be fit for baseball as well as football and has been mentioned as a future home for the Red Sox.