Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1942 [PAGE 385]

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BOARD OF T R U S T E E S

[July 15

Your Committee feels that in submitting this report and recommendations on the athletic situation at the University of Illinois it would be helpful to the members of the Board of Trustees if it first submitted a brief summary of the background, history, and underlying reasons, as seen by the Committee, for the present controversy. T h e Committee has examined and reviewed the By-Laws of the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, as revised in 1941, and the regulations and agreements governing the conduct of athletics of the Intercollegiate Conference of faculty representatives commonly known as " T h e Western Conference," "Big 10," or "Intercollegiate Conference," and received at its request an opinion from Judge Sveinbjorn Johnson, Counsel for the University, his written opinion under the date of June 19th, covering the administrative machinery for the control of intercollegiate athletics at the University, including the relationship and powers of the Athletic Association, the Faculty, the President, and the Board of Trustees. There appears to be no question that the Trustees may take definite action on the present matter without infringing upon the rights of any of the individuals or bodies involved in the administration of athletics or impairing the athletic standing of the University of Illinois in the "Big 10 Conference." From the statements reaching the Committee through the public press, interested parties, students, and alumni it would appear that there is a general and mistaken feeling that the present situation arises solely because of the differences in opinion between the present Athletic Director and the Football Coach on such questions as amateur athletic policy, proselyting or subsidizing of athletes, or the mere fact that Mr. Zuppke as Coach has not produced winning teams in recent years and has lost his ability as a coach and strategist. W e have never heard anyone in authority advance any of these arguments, and we wish to put such rumors at rest by stating at this time that it is our opinion and recommendation that the present high standard of athletic amateur policy, as established by the University under the leadership of the late George Huff, as Director of Athletics, and subsequently maintained by Mr. Wendell Wilson, as Athletic Director, and Mr. Zuppke as Football Coach, as well as other officials and Trustees of the University, be maintained. W e believe that the underlying difficulty is deeper than a mere conflict between individuals and has grown to such proportions that personalities must be disregarded and definite action taken by the Trustees without prejudice or malice in such a manner as may be for the best interest of the University. W e have the highest regard for both Mr. Wilson and Mr. Zuppke as to their character, motives, and sincerity. W e feel that the underlying difficulty, which gave rise to the present controversy, goes back to the action taken in 1936 with the death of Mr. George Huff. Prior to that time Mr. Huff had acted as Athletic Director and H e a d of the School of Physical Education which had been organized by him, and under his leadership became one of the outstanding schools in the United States. There was no question about the ability and authority of Mr. Huff. T h e football coaches as well as other coaches and professors in the School of Physical Education recognized his authority, his ability, judgment, and tact, and cooperated fully with him at all times. W e are told that Mr. Huff had intended recommending Mr. Carl Lundgren, then Baseball Coach, as his successor upon his retirement. Unfortunately Mr. Lundgren predeceased Mr. Huff. Mr. Huff then sought a suitable successor, although then suffering from a lingering and fatal illness. H e was unable to induce the two men whom he considered best qualified for the position to accept the appointment, and he therefore recommended that the duties and responsibilities of his office be divided, and recommended Professor Staley as Head of the School of Physical Education and Mr. Wendell Wilson as Athletic Director. Mr. Huff died on October 1, 1936, and the President and the Board of Trustees followed Mr. Huff's recommendations. T h e responsibility was divided. Mr. Staley was named Director of the School of Physical Education and Mr. Wilson appointed Athletic Director on February 27, 1937. W e believe that Mr. Wilson, as Director of Athletics, and the Board of Directors of the Athletic Association entered upon their duties with enthusiasm, honesty, and sincerity. W e also feel that necessarily certain confusion developed