DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 177 



KEPORT OF THE DEPAKTMENT OF ATHLETICS AND 



PHYSICAL CULTURE. 



To the President. 



Dear Sir — I Iiave tlie honor to snbmit the following report of the De- 

 partment of Athletics and I'hysical Cnltnre for the year ending June 30, 

 1917. 



It has been the aim of this department to induce as large a number 

 of students as possible to participate in athletic events and training 

 and to take advantage of the classes in physical exercise and contests 

 as arranged by the department. With the idea of benefiting the whole 

 student body we have encouraged intermural games and have had about 

 500 students engaged in some sport at various times during the year. 



A regular gymnasium class was held during the winter months and 

 a number of the students took part in these exercises. We felt again 

 the need for a new Gymnasium as the Armory was entirely inadequate 

 to accommodate the students during the winter and it has been en- 

 couraging to realize that next year we will be installed in the building 

 and able to furnish instruction and room for all those who desire physical 

 work. 



Teams representing the College in the various competitive sports have 

 acquitted themselves with much credit and we believe the right step 

 was taken in our continuing intercollegiate competition. At the present 

 writing many of the large universities and colleges have decided to re- 

 sume athletics next fall as it has been shown that our system of 

 competitive athletics not only encoui'ages loyalty, gentlemanly conduct 

 and absolute fairness, but also equips the boys who participate to take 

 their place in times of war as well as in times of peace, for the defense 

 of their country or the normal pursuits of life. 



One of our most important athletic events was the Interscholastic 

 Track and Field Meet held liere on May 25th and 26th. Thirty high 

 schools from different sections of the state were represented by about 

 150 athletes and prospective college men. The meet was very success- 

 ful and we are confident a number of the participants will attend M. 

 A. C, in the near future. The meet has been of infinite value in getting 

 the high school boys of the state acquainted with the College. 



The Athletic Association for the past year has been entirely self-sup- 

 porting and has paid one-half the salary of the football coach, the salary 

 of the baseball coach and of assistant coaches during the football season 

 besides the all-fresh coach and the assistant director for the year. 



Athletic training has been given to a large number of students during 

 the past year, but we look forward with much confidence to the strength- 

 ening and betterment of this department under the leadership of Mr. 

 Brewer in the new Gymnasium and feel certain the results will amply 

 justify the ei^ection of the new building. 



Respectfully submitted, 



G. E. GAUTHIER, 



Assistant Director. 

 .. East Lansing, Midi., June 30, 1917. 

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