Page 186 - YB1899

In the spring of 1897 the athletic associations of Johns Hopkins University, St. john's, Gallaudet, Maryland Agricultural and Western Maryland Colleges sent delegates to Baltimore for the purpose of forming an intercollegiate associa- tion. These representatives drew up a constitution which was accepted by the associations of the five institutions mentioned. So in the fall of '97 the Intercol- legiate Association of Maryland and the District of Columbia was inaugurated. The organization of this League of Colleges resulted in an increase of interest in Athletics in all the Colleges of the State. EspeciaJly was this revival of interest noticeable in our own College. In every department the competition for positions on the teams became stronger, and the hopes of being pennant winners acted as an incentive to harder work and more efficient training. Consequently our teams have made a very creditable showing. On the gridiron, diamond, tennis court, track and field we have been able to hold our own with all contestants. In the fall of '97 we had a winning football team-the best that had ever rep- resented the College. We even entertained hopes of securing the pennant until we met defeat in Washington, Gallaudet being victorious. Though we scored only 14 points in the track and field events of the spring of '98 we won first place in the mile relay race. This entitled us to the silver cup, of which our Association is justly proud. Our baseball team of last year was not very successful, and we do not boast of its victories; yet we do say that it only lost four League games. Those played outside of the League we will not mention. Just prior to the baseball season of '99 Washington College, of Chestertown, was admitted to membership in the League. Again, in '98-'99, our teams have done creditable work, but of the part which they played in their respective branches we will speak in detail later. The future of Athletics in our College is bright. The students are more deeply interested in this work, and a larger per cent. have allied themselves with the Association for the furtherance of the interests of Athletics than ever before. Weare pleased also to note that the Faculty has taken a decided stand for all the manly sports. Our prospects for teams in the various departments are very encouraging. With the close of this year we will lose only a few athletes, and we feel confident that their places can be filled by the new students who may enter the school. We are fortunate in having a large number of promising athletes in the lower classes, and the experience which they are now acquiring will go far to make up for VV. M. C. winning teams in every department of Athletics. 176