Breaks of the Game

Fortunately, House football players have gone most of the season this year without serious injury. But because of the nature of the sport and because House athletes speed little time in training, there is always the danger of major accidents. Although admitting that chance for mishap is high, the athletic department still bolds that insurance for intramural football players is necessary.

The advantages in an insurance program, however, contradict the department's stand. Insuring the players would guarantee that all medical expanses would be paid. Under current HAA policy, accidents must be paid for by parents, or if the student cannot afford treatment, by a special University fund. It is not only difficult, but unfair, to separate those who can afford medical treatment from those who cannot. Every man who plays football for his House deserves the benefits of an insurance plan.

Not only is the present system unsound in theory, it has also proven faulty in practice. Many students who could little afford the extra expense, have had to pay for their own hospitalization. House members, in one instance, were called upon to take up collections for a seriously injured player.

On such occasions, the HAA officials admit that insurance would be desirable. But they claim that the policy premiums, too high for the HAA to underwrite, would have to be added to students' term bills. There is a more equitable solution than this.

Group insurance programs, purchased by many high schools and colleges, cost much less than individual policies. Since a football team could be insured for an estimated $10 to $15 per player under group programs, the House Committees could bear the cost of premiums. Insurance for House teams is more important than new pool tables or more lavish smokers. An insurance plan underwritten by each House would protect all intramural football players, sparing injured athletes uncertainty and unjust expense.