Last week a letter to the editor by Greg Munno proposed the elimination of the Oberlin College football squad. Granted, a viable idea, given the amount of resources poured into this sport. However, the major reasons for cutting the team were tragically misplaced.
The argument was essentially to "protect Oberlin's reputation for excellence," spewing statistics such as only two winning seasons since 1947. I was personally unaware that a losing football team was such a grave wound to our school. The historical philosophy of the sport is not to defeat Wittenberg or Earlham, but to play a pure, clean competition in which each individual pushes his limits a bit. Losing 2-0, 72-0, 720-0 (has that happened yet?) is not a failure as long as the players gain, in character and fun, from the experience. In the same vein, practices are to improve one's skills and HAVE FUN, not to battle and be denigrated by coaches. If Amnesty International has no luck releasing political prisoners, or the Film Society shows or produces consistently crappy films, should they be cut as well? The experience, the battle, is more important than any level of success.
Many people will tell you that the harshly competitive attitude is what stops them from joining teams at this school. Thus Greg's idea of using football funds for a better and larger intramural program is excellent. Stripping down or even eliminating the program and redistributing funds to more relaxed athletic fields (or even better to academic endeavors) is a wonderful idea. And if we continue to lose in other sports, so what?
In the often inglorious field of sport, a near utopia still resides with the men's and women's rugby teams. The teams meet and talk before a game, the crowd shares a keg as the players play intensely for 90 minutes and then, in the most important part of the experience, both teams congratulate each other and the referee after the game and generally the visiting team sticks around to party with the hosts. No grudges or animosity is maintained after the game, regardless of the outcome. This violates the inherent idea of beneficial competition. If I ever find myself competing with victory being a definition of success, it's time to quit.
I agree with Greg's suggestions that the goals of the athletic department must be reviewed. But we must keep in mind the general goals of attempting to promote a little fraternity and fun on and off the field.
Copyright © 1996, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 125, Number 5; October 4, 1996
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