From the beginning of our Alma Mater the physical health of its student population was advocated to enable each to reach his or her highest potential, though by its inception and name was intended as an institution of technology rather than a college of social activity. While at first it was exercise that was stressed and best provided by military drill under the influence of the Civil War there was a more potential advantage by compliance with the Morrill or Land Grant College Act whereby financial receipts from the sale of western lands accrued to those institutions that participated in the military training provisions of that legislation.
The Institute having been started in rented rooms in the North End of Boston and in the business section of the city while a new campus was under construction on Boylston Street in the newly filled in Back Bay, there was no place to carry out organized physical activity. Soon after consolidation of classes a drill hall was erected in which to conduct military exercises rather than on the dirt pavement of Boylston Street itself, also to be used for general exercise of all students not enrolled in the military corps.
Through the early Boylston Street years the value of exercise was stressed, distinct from athletics which was recognized as having values for its disciplines in some situations, yet with the understanding of the students of "Boston Tech" that it was "place for men to work, and not for boys to play". There was, never-the-less, pride by both faculty and students of the accomplishments of teams and individuals in competition with other institutions, with the ever mindful necessity of keeping play subordinate to study. But any expense and all control was in the hands of the individual or teams. There were successes, mainly in football which reached championship status, which paved the way to problems incompatible with the goals of the faculty and alumni.
By the 1890's athletics had reached an undesirable state through unwise funding of teams and activities which reflected adversely back on the Institute. A group of alumni aware of the worsening condition, undertook corrective measures by forming a council to advise and assist in the financing of athletic activities before there was a breakdown or scandal. As the first need was a rational source of funds rather than borrowing, plans were developed for an Institute Show. With the assistance of team members and parents a production was staged at the Hollis Theater in Boston, the forerunner of annual Tech Show dedicated to the support of athletic activities through the Technology Athletic Association.
The Alumni group, organized as the Alumni Advisory Council on Athletics, has continued in conjunction with the Technology Athletic Association in direct control and operation of all sports at M.I.T. This leaves athletics completely free of control or influence by the Faculty or Administration making M.I.T. quite unique in the field of higher education, tested by almost a century of practice, of which we can be justly proud.
Rowing was not yet a part of the athletic activities of Tech although there were undergraduates, graduate students and faculty who had interest or experience which was in no way in conflict with the separation of sports from the administration of M.I.T. President Maclaurin had been indoctrinated to rowing in England and expressed a hope that someday there would be Tech crews rowing on the Charles. Prof. Robert Richards had been stroke on Union Boat Club crews and donated the Richards Cup for Class crews in honor of his brother who had been an oarsmen at ----- in England. Through the years there have been many professors or instructors who served as coaches without compromising the policy of non-involvement.
The Alumni Advisory Council for athletics was organized with the purpose of serving as advisor to the various athletic teams at M.I.T.. Its function was to be involved in matters of legitimizing records in those sports and the awarding of insignia to this qualifying, all in conjunction with a close relationship to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Athletic Association (M.I.T.A.A.). Its constitution was uncomplicated, leaving plenty of room for development of procedures best suited to the needs of the sports supervised.
The membership, while alumni in name, was made up of both graduates and undergraduates in order to provide a close tie to their interests, five alumni and three undergraduates. The alumni members elect their own membership on a rotating schedule to provide continuity, further emphasized by having only the chairman and secretary-treasurer re-electable, all on three year terms. The most recent past manager of the track team and two others usually from the senior class, all recommended to the Advisory Council by those departing from membership. Functioning with these eight were the President and Treasurer of the M.I.T.A.A. and a representative of "The Tech" to provide information and publicity.
The Alumni Council has general supervision and control of athletic organizations engaged in public contests and no group is allowed the use of M.I.T. or Technology unless sanctioned by the Council. In the earlier days of Tech rowing when all was haphazard condition due to indefinite availability of oarsmen, dependent on borrowed equipment and boathouse, lack of coaching and erratic hours of practice, recognition of crew had not been obtained and some friction developed over their participation in races. This situation was not resolved until after the Institute had moved to its new campus in Cambridge and arrangements made by interested parties, including members of the Advisory Council, for use of the BAA Boathouse a mile upriver.
Crew being inherently an expensive activity even in its most simple form, merely having a shell in which to row is only the beginning. Repairs, even with volunteer workers or rowers, was never ending and good will cannot be relied on to last indefinitely. Appeals for funds, addressed to alumni groups, were sometimes productive but gave no assurance of continuity but once recognition by the Advisory Council was afforded there was at least the basic foundation for support.
The Treasurer of the M.I.T.A.A. controls the allotment of all funds to sports activities. The source of those funds at M.I.T. is the Student Tax, an assessment on all students at the time of registration, plus donations from whatever direction.