Few Athletes Decide to Protest; Harvard Has Cancelled No Games

Some athletes at Harvard are exercising their right not to participate in sports because they favor political action, but. with the exception of the lacrosse team, it is now very unlikely that any squads will decide to cancel their remaining contests.

Harvard coaches met yesterday morning to discuss guidelines for handling those who wished to strike, but they did not attempt to make a statement of any sort. They may reach a decision on what to do after seeing how the Faculty handles the academic situation.

After a game Wednesday against the Boston Lacrosse Club. the lacrosse team voted not to practice Thursday and Friday, and to have a meeting Monday to determine whether or not to play its final two games of the season on May 13 and 16.

The question of whether or not to participate is most crucial for the crews and the track squad. Though one or two individuals in both varsity boats would rather not row the EARC Sprints Saturday, they have decided to compete partially because of the difficulty of restructuring a crew.

Instead, lightweights who feel strongly about the issues will protest with armbands and other symbols.

Heavyweight coach Harry Parker does not want to send a boat to the Sprints unless all nine members agree to go, and those hesitant about compeling are doing so because they feel their greatest commitment is to the crew. They plan no headbands or other formalized protests.

Pottetti in Washington

Most members of the track team are likely to compete in the Heptagonals at Yale. but at least one outstanding runner will not. Dave Pottetti, the winner of the Heps two-mile in the winter, is now in Washington and will not be running Saturday. A few others have not yet reached a decision, but are expected to participate.

The team is considering several possible actions of protest at the Heps, which are to be held at Yale. but plans haven't been finalized.

Erik Roth, a senior distance runner, gave a statement to the CRIMSON criticizing its urging that all sports stop. "... I am compelled by conscience to defend human rights and dignity. and so I refuse to be drafted into any mass movement which denies individual freedom and expression." the statement read in part.

Chris Nielsen is the only tennis player among the top six who would rather not finish the schedule. but he said last night that he would play against Dartmouth and Yale if the matches were not canceled because he feels an obligation to doubles partner Bill Washaner.

This weekend's New England Tennis Championships at Wesleyan have been canceled.

The golf and baseball teams are apparently unanimously in favor of continuing their seasons. Pitcher Tom Dashiell was considering not playing in today's game against Holy Cross, but said that he will probably participate.

At the moment. Princeton's teams seem to be most sympathetic to the strike. Probably only 12 of 45 track team members will go to the Heps, and the tennis team has canceled its remaining matches.

Lacrosse star Bobby Bordley put a half-page ad in Wednesday's Princetonian urging students to strike.