Rowing and Track Athletics (extract)

Track Athletics in the Colleges 281 spirit and enthusiasm needed for creditable rep– resentation could not be awakened in the col– lege, and the result has been in the past that the intercollegiate contests neither promoted athletic industry in the college nor added to its reputation. To achieve success in anything, rivalry in some form must be present to actuate the participants to put forth their best endeavors in its behalf. We now belong to an association in which we have an even chance for gaining a position,which will make Amherst prominent in athletic circles. Several of the colleges represented are, without doubt, equal to Amherst in athletic ability, and it will be sure to follow-that to the one which works the hardest will be awarded the honors." The colleges and schoo1s of "up-state " New York naturally took their athletic inspiration from that haven of husky youth, Cornell. As early as r 873 Cornell had her athletic association, and at the first intercollegiates she won a first in the mile and a second in the hundred. Cope won the mile in 4 minutes 58 second , and Potter fin– i ·bed second to Nevin of Yale in the hundred in IOf second . The first field day was held at Cor– nell in I 873; and in I 878 winter indoor meets were started at Ithaca. The smaller colleges and schools in the central part of the state gradually fell into line, and in 1885 the New York State In– tercollegiate Athletic Association was organized.