MAKE THE ECHOES RING!
AN ARTICLE in this issue describes the job that the football coaches have on their hands in Hanover. The Gildobian picture is not one to encourage optimism in the ranks of Green supporters. One is led to melancholy at the thought of the unhappy lot that falls to the good Dartmouth men who are toiling under the many handicaps that cramp a coach's style. But the author, Coach Pat Holbrook '20, predicts the return of old-fashioned enthusiasm for the game of football and the team. He says:
"There is a new surge of the Dartmouth Spirit in the air." This is good news! The present size and diversity of interests of the undergraduate body have made it difficult to ever, or hardly ever, assemble the College at one time in one place. Fall rallies that quicken the pulse and bring out some husky, full-hearted singing and yelling, used to make Dartmouth see and feel itself to be an entity, a solid unit. Rallies under the direction of Palaeopitus and Green Key would be a welcome addition to the fall program of the College.
We'd all like to be there when Craven Laycock pulls the heart strings that only Craven can pull. Sophisticated young men, the strong, the weak, and the smooth, will bite their lips to keep the tears back only to jump to their feet and cheer the Dean to the echo as he sends them from the hall fighting mad, ready to "do or die," ready to follow the team on foot or on bicycles. Well, why not? Aren't we proud of those tense, heart-burning moments that revealed the bond of tradition and loyalty between the student mob and Prexy, the Dean, or the Coach? "Sentimental twaddle"? "Bunkum and tommyrot"? Piffle, say we, piffle! The more the better—we need it!
And as for a limit on optimism about the season ahead—may we recall a statement made by L. K. Neidlinger '23, then president of the Athletic Council, in these pages last year:
"We are rapidly approaching a schedule composed entirely of games with colleges of our ownkind, size, and purpose; with mutual interests andequal standards of athletic integrity. Under normalconditions these colleges will produce athletic teamsequal in ability to our best and only the exceptionalDartmouth team will be repeatedly outstanding.Our coaches accept this possibility in a sportingspirit. Our alumni must accept it—for the advantages are worth the gamble."
In his statistics proving that Dartmouth's record of football victories over a period of years could stand the test of comparison with the records of her major opponents, Mr. Neidlinger said:
"It seems apparent from a study of these figuresthat for an eastern college team developed underconditions which prevail at these eight institutions,(Dartmouth, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Cornell,Pennsylvania, Brown, Columbia) playing through aschedule largely filled with games against equals,NORMAL EXPECTANCY must be to lose 50 per cent ofits major games. Some seasons may be better, othersmay return less than normal success, but over a seriesof years to sustain an average better than 50 per centwill be very unusual."
Optimists are asked to study these statements of fact. Armed with the proper perspective we may then go the Big Games, make a joyful noise, and have a good time. Perhaps this year we will enjoy one of those "better than average" seasons—youcan't hate a guy for hopin'!
