THE SPORTING SCENE

Over 40 Harvard students are playing hockey this spring in the Mayflower Hockey League.

Comprising 32 teams in three divisions, the league is dedicated to "keeping the sport alive all year round," according to its mentor, Dick Rowe. "We're trying to keep the boys in shape, and give them the benefit that this great sport has to offer--all the time, not just in winter."

Harvard men, including players from the freshman and varsity squads, are playing for half-a-dozen teams in the league's two divisions. The Arlington Rockets, which bids fair to take the Class A title, includes varsity captain-elect Norm Wood and defenseman Tony Patton, among others.

Also from Harvard are the 15 men on the Jaguars, which features varsity player Doug Manchester and Wink Childs, spark-plug of this year's freshman squad. Dunster House also sports a team, starring high-scoring freshman Bill Cleary and Intramural standout Henry Feldman at goal.

Started in 1948 by Dick Rowe's Olympic playing brother Paul, the league has players ranging from junior high school to post-college. "We start the boys here young," explains Rowe. "Many kids sever have a chance to play hockey in high school, and they get their only training here. A lot of these boys who first learned the game in the league have gone on to star in the nation's colleges. The league isn't confined only to the young ones," he adds. "Our entire A division is composed of college players, and I think the practice these boys get here is very helpful when they return to their college squads in the winter." As an example of this, Rowe points to the playing of Amory Hubbard and John Chase, who participated in the league three years ago.

With the Boston Skating Club's rink as home ice, the league has sponsored tournaments in both the fall and spring since its inception. Coaches Cooney Weiland and Myles Huntington do not allow their players to participate in the fall tournament, for fear they might disable themselves for the regular winter season. But both are more than willing for the boys to play once the season is over.

This year's spring tournament got under way last Monday, when Norm Wood's Arlington Rockets sent the Jaguars, composed mostly of College freshmen down to a 6 to 3 defeat. The Dunster House team will play its first game this coming Monday evening at 7 o'clock, while the Jaguars will meet the Arlington Youth Association in their second game, at 9:45 p.m.