Walkout

Although the Crimson Tide of Alabama has ebbed to its lowest point in history on the football field (10 games, 10 losses in 1955), the university is still generous enough with its "grants in aid" to athletes to earn 1) a frown from the Southeastern Conference and 2) the services of more than 100 young men of brawn and promise. In return for the free education it gives them, most of the Alabama football, basketball and baseball players live a life apart in their own dormitory. Friedman Hall, and are regulated stiffly as to bedtime and weekend privileges, allowed little free time. In effect, the athletes are cut off from most of the good college life. They have few dates, seldom become campus leaders, are often looked down on by fellow students as hired freaks. "They're supposed to play ball and that's all," explained a campus poet. Despite these disadvantages, the muscular young men of 'Bama have put up with their lot, accepting it as a fair price to pay for a degree and the quick fame of the sports pages.

Last week, after six of his scholarship students were shaken up in a 3 a.m. automobile accident, Athletic Director Henry ("Hank") Crisp decided that athletic dormitory regimen should be tightened still farther. Henceforth, decreed Hank, the occupants of Friedman Hall would have to observe a flat 11 p.m. weekday curfew (12:30 a.m. Sundays), apply to their coaches for weekend passes, do four hours of compulsory study instead of two on week nights if they lagged in studies. This was too much for the brawny 'Bamans. Above an entrance to the dorm appeared a sign: "Don't talk to the prisoners." Growled a disgruntled senior: "This isn't Russia." Then, after a meeting, 92 of them packed bags and stomped out of Friedman Hall, vowed not to return until the rules were eased.

The athletes moved into fraternity houses or stayed with friends; a hastily elected committee of twelve, under Varsity End Dan Coyle, went to Crisp with an ultimatum: abolish the bed checks for athletes whose sport is not in season, grant unlimited weekend privileges, cancel the four-hour compulsory study rule. Otherwise, said the athletes, they would not go back to Friedman Hall and they would not even play for Alabama.

For two days, Crisp toasted on the spot. Not only had Alabama completely segregated itself from victory on the football field--it also needed new talent to replace its graduating 1956 Southeastern Conference basketball champions. Blatant signs of unrest such as this were certain to hurt the university's high-pressure recruiting campaign.

Crisp had no alternative, so he backed down, called off his tightening of the rules. The athletes, victory won, repacked their bags and moved back into Friedman Hall, ready "to play ball, and that's all."

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