Page:The Fraternity and the College (1915).pdf/198

 the reputation and good name of the institution which comes from real love of the college.

The freshman perhaps may be excused for taking this attitude. At first he can be expected to have little real feeling; he can hardly feel himself a part of it; it has not taken hold of him. Whatever sentiment he may feel is a superficial one which is best expressed by noise. Certain college traditions and customs are most likely to impress on him more strongly than facts warrant the importance of noise as an expression of feeling. The freshman-sophomore contest or "scrap" is usually boisterous and rough; class contests in general are noisy and loud. More than anything else I believe that the modern custom of "rooting" under the direction and inspiration of a cheer leader is responsible for the over-estimate that is put upon noise as an indication of loyalty to the team or of college spirit in general. And this same cheer leading is with us in the Middle West becoming more and more freakish and bizarre. The man who can make a spectacular exhibition before the crowd is coming to feel himself a part of the show, and as a worthy stirrer up of college spirit he desires his expenses paid as is done with the regular members of the team. Omitting the fact that much of such cheering is discourteous to the members of the opposing team, and often intended solely to confuse or disconcert them, its