Ivy Football Coaches Ask for Extra Game

The Ivy League football coaches voted last week to ask their university presidents for permission to add a tenth game to their schedules next season.

In recent years the coaches asked to increase the schedule from nine to ten games, but always insisted on spring practice as part of their recommendation. Because of the spring practice clause the recommendation had always been turned down by Ivy League presidents.

This year the coaches have taken a more pragmatic approach, as they did not include a request for spring practice with their proposal for an extra game. During a two-day meeting, the coaches unanimously approved a plan for a tenth game, and they took no action on spring practice.

Harvard coach Joe Restic polled his players last month on both questions. He said last week that the vote was "better than four to one in favor of playing a tenth game." "They are not that much in favor of spring practice," he added. Carmen Cozza, Yale's coach, said that he didn't think Ivy League presidents would go along with spring practice because "other schools are looking to the Ivy League when they think of cutting athletic budgets.

"The elimination of spring practice is one of the things they might adopt. So if we are setting an example in that respect, I hardly can see us starting up spring practice," Cozza added.

Cozza suggested using the spring for an extended freshman football program. Currently freshmen play abbreviated schedules in the fall. Cozza explained that he and his staff could work with the freshmen during this period and that a longer schedule could be played.

"If you want something for money-saving, this spring football helps. You can use the same equipment the varsity uses in the fall," Cozza said.