Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - Banks of the Boneyard (Charles Kiler) [PAGE 11]

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Lawn tennis, though of recent date at the University, is very popular, and many students are becoming proficient in this new sport, among whom are Bouton '91, Gunn '92, Steinwedell '93, and Smith '93. Lawn tennis will never become as popular in Champaign as baseball or football. It can not awaken enthusiasm except among those playing the game, but it will be in favor among those not desiring violent exercise such as they would get in baseball and football. Like lawn tennis, football has been late in getting a place in athletics at Champaign and there seems to be no good reason why the boys have not before taken to it, for there has always been an abundance of good material from which to form an eleven. Within the past five years several unsuccessful attempts have been made to form a team, but there seemed to be no one to work it up properly until last fall, when Champaign's first football team was organized. To Scott Williams '94, is due the honor of forming, managing, and captaining the first team. While not a brilliant player in his position as quarterback, Williams deserves great credit for his persistent and successful efforts to bring football into favor at the University of Illinois. While the career of the team has been brief, it shows possibilities for the coming season. Football seemed to leap into popularity here, and the enthusiasts are already calculating the probabilities for the fall term. The rush line is heavy, averaging close to 185 pounds, and is followed by two speedy and nervy halfbacks in Pillsbury '92 and Slater '94, the latter as game a man in his position as any college man that wears the canvas in the west. Slater just exactly fills Edgar Allen Poe's dream of a perfect halfback. Huff '92, center rush, and Bowey '93, end rush, are also superior men in their positions. The team, losing but three men, Shattuck, E. Clarke, and F. Clarke '91, will go into active practice under the direction of a "coach" at the opening of the fall term and will be ready to meet all comers when the season opens.

BASEBALL AHEAD OF EVERYTHING

But the true American game of baseball reigns supreme at the University of Illinois. Enthusiasts hope they will not be considered vain in making a claim for the college championship of the state. However, as soon as the playing season opens, the team will be ready to convince any doubters as to its right to the championship. The present team has won every time it has played, taking games from Knox College of Galesburg, Dlinois College of Jacksonville, in the intercollegiate contest held at Bloomington. Early in the spring teams are organized and a schedule of games played for the class cup. The class of '92, since its advent in the University, has been too strong for the other teams. The class games are organized for bringing into practice, and thus into notice of the authorities, new talent for the main team