Students Support Fitness Campaign

Upperclassmen responded to the nation's call for physical fitness with whole-hearted cooperation, Athletic Director William J. Bingham '16 announced following the first day of the new compulsory athletics.

The general spirit on the board of coaches conducting the conditioning course is one of satisfaction over the beginning of a program which bids fair to rouse upperclassmen from the depths of physical lethargy.

Over 1000 Sophomores and Juniors reported to the calisthenics and marching classes during Monday morning and afternoon, Bingham reported. The first half of the scheduled hour was devoted to a military drilling, supervised by members of advanced R.O.T.C. courses. Following the marching, the limbered students spent another half-hour shadow-boxing, in preparation for next week's boxing sessions.

Minimum of Complaints

The expected reports of groans and creaking bones were conspicuously absent, it was noticed at the Indoor Athletic Gymnasium during an active session, Monday afternoon. In general, the men were conscious of the purpose of the training, fitness for military service, and even more conscious of the necessity for rounding into shape before the government issues its call.

The liberal features of the Athletic plan, allowances for participation in spring sports such as tennis, baseball and others, could not be observed Monday and Tuesday, because of the inclement weather and the poor condition of both courts and diamonds. But coaches and authorities alike expect to see a great number of the physical-conscious members of '43 and '44 taking advantage of opportunities to play a set or nine innings as part of the conditioning plan. Tennis, normally the most popular spring sport, will probably attract a great part of the upperclassmen, while others will complete in ball games or crew.