Slants on Sports

The co-eds on the University of Wisconsin’s intramural crews have mutinied. The want to form a varsity eight to represent the university at the Poughkeepsie Regatta along with the sweep swingers from the other colleges who will vie for the intercollegiate shell supremacy of the country on June 16.

We saw the picture “Eight Girls in a Boat,” sometime ago and all we remember of it. Besides, “This little piggie went to market” has the beautiful photographic shots of the girl crews as they swept down the river.

For the sceptics who do not believe that women actually go out for crew, we are running the picture of the Wisconsin oarswomen alongside these columns. A concensus of opinion taken by our mid-western representative reveals the fact that most women try to make the crew because they want to feel certain of at least one ride from which they won’t have to walk back.

ROWING A GOOD SPORT FOR WOMEN PARTICIPANTS

The question has arisen time and again as to which sport is best for women athletes. Coaches throughout the country are quick in taking the cue and each replies that the particular sport he happens to be coaching is the most beneficial for women. However, one thing is certain; rowing is one of the most beneficial sports for the so-called weaker sex.

Grace, precision and form are part and parcel of many sports. The thrill a spectator derives from watching the form of a champion diver in a plunge from the high-board may be equaled by watching the pole vaulters soar through the air and clear the bar as gracefully as birds. The knee and leg action of a mile runner is a fascinating thing to look at during a race. The thrust and ripost of the fencers on the strips make for balance, poise and beauty. But, the swing and power, the rhythm and grace behind the sweep of the blades when eight men or women cleave the water in a slender shell far surpasses, in our estimation, all these other sports.

AN AUTHORITY SPEAKS OUT FOR THE GAME’S SAKE

Jim Rice, coach of the famous Columbia crews of the past and more recently teacher of rowing at the Detroit Boat Club, has his own ideas on t he subject. Lawrence Perry speaking in the Sun’s “For the Game’s Sake,” sometime ago, said that inasmuch as Rice once coached the crews at Wellesley College his views on the subject of rowing for women are valuable as well as they are interesting.

“Properly conducted,” says Rice, “I know of no better sport than rowing for girls. Care, of course, should be taken to avoid strains, and this is best accomplished by regulating rowing distances.

“In their quickness to grasp the mechanical theories of sweep swinging they have it all over the men. But naturally they lack the power and drive as compared to men’s crews. So far as beneficial results go, I am all for women’s rowing. I do not think I have ever seen any healthier or happier groups of girls than the rowing girls I used to teach at Wellesley.”

WHAT NEXT, LITTLE LASSIE? STROKE, YOU HUSKIES

The lassies on the Wisconsin crew are, to all appearances quite happy-and at that quite buxom too. But imagine any man saying to these ladies and getting away with it, “Stroke You huskies…or get a move on Jennie. Come on, Mabel, swing those hips a little faster and you’ll get more push over the water.”

Well, we thought a sports writer’s job was pretty good until now, however, we’ll trade posts with the coach of girl’s crew any time including Sundays. What say me hearties?

A HIGH SCHOOL FLASH; ABOUT MARTY GLICKMAN

The performance of Marty Glickman, youthful high school track ace, has amazed scholastic coaches throughout the metropolitan district. Glickman is one of the many James Madison speedsters who have held P. S. A. L. championships. Early in the spring he did 0.10 1-5 for the century and for so early mark. It equaled a record which was first created in 1901 and first tied in 1915.

Glickman presents a contradiction to the theory held by the large majority of track and field coaches. The mentors believe that football impairs trackmen. Glickman, on the other hand explains that the grid game, which he played for the first time last fall, changed him from a mediocre sprinter into a top-notcher and a champion.

“Playing football strengthened my muscles and hardened me physically,” says Glickman. “I now have that extra drive which I lacked last year.”

Your sports commentator helped coach the James Madison eleven last fall and recalls the splendid football ability revealed by Glickman in cracking a line or snaring a forward pass. He is an expert tackler and blocker as well. But it is in the open field or in running back punts that Glickman excels and where, he claims, he got the drive for the sprints and the dash events.

THE JEWISH CHAMP FROM POLAND CLAIMS GOOD RECORD

About two months ago the Polish boxing championship changed hands when the Jewish boxer, Shapsele Rotholz, defeated the Polish champion Czortek.

However this young flyweight refused to box against the Nazi fighters in Posnan. He had drawn Spanagel, one to the wildcats of the Rhine district, whom he had to defeat in order to gain a place on the international boxing team now in America. As story goes he wanted nothing in the form of a Nazi opponent. Not as a result of fear mind you, but rather because he just didn’t wish to have anything to do with Hitler proponents. On the threat of a life suspension by the Polish boxing union he fought Spanagel and administered a devastating lacing.

Only the other day at the international boxing tournament in Chicago, he once again took the measure of foreign opponent. He gave Patsy Orso, a top-notch fly weight of Detroit, a sound beating and earned the amateur flyweight championship for himself.

These contests were held by the Chicago Tribune and were the International Golden Glove matches.

Shapsele Rotholz is a printer by vocation and a boxer through desire. He is the son of orthodox parents and lives in Warsaw. As we understand the situation, as explained by our Yiddish editor, Rotholz will have to join the Polish army for two-year period immediately upon his return home. At any rate, if we were his top sergeant, we wouldn’t get too rough with new champion.