
THE QUESTION: How do you feel about our colleges importing so many Canadian hockey players?
LOUIS T. BENEZET
Pres., Colorado College
Colorado Springs, Colo.
The practice of enrolling Canadians is the product of the desire to win. The only-solution is to accept Canadian players directly out of high school but not, as is the practice, after they have had two additional years in the Canadian Junior Leagues. This would give American players a better chance to make the team.
STURDY PAXTON
Sports Editor
Gazette Telegraph
Colorado Springs
It is nice our northern neighbors are given free American educations, although sometimes they seem not to appreciate it. Canadians can skate in any direction while Americans can skate only counterclockwise. Also Canadians know how to finish off a scoring rush. Americans are done after the first shot.
RUSSELL HUMBERT
President
DePauw University
Greencastle, Ind.
As an educator, I don't think this wholesale importation of Canadian hockey players is good for our colleges. Few in America take their superiority too seriously. Students often remark: "Why shouldn't they win? They're 'loaded' with Canadians." I like to see sports for sports sake.
JERRY CARLE
Athletic director
Colorado College
I see no objection. The Canadians are better students and better hockey players because they are more mature. A well-rounded athletic program is an integral part of student development. We feel that our athletic program—particularly hockey—gives the students something around which to rally.
BOB McCUSKER
Team wing '56, '57
Colorado College
I'm a Canadian. I couldn't have afforded a college education in Canada. Hockey gave me the opportunity here, and I really took advantage of it. Should American educators decide recruiting Canadian players is a bad custom, many Canadians would lose the opportunity of their lives.
MURRAY DEA
Team wing '56, '57, '58
Colorado College
Fine for me. Only about 30% can afford to go to universities in Canada. I have no money, and am here thanks to hockey. But I must maintain a high scholastic average. Three years ago, our three top scorers were declared scholastically ineligible just prior to the NCAA championship tournament.
JOHN ANDREWS
Team center '56, '57
Colorado College
I've heard some people criticize the practice of importing Canadian players. But don't most of us want to see the best in any sport? Importing American football stars into Canada made Canadian football a major sport. Canadian college players are making American hockey a major sport.
PETE GAZZOLA
Team manager '57
Colorado College
Naturally, I like the idea because if I hadn't had this opportunity for an education I would be a gold miner, like my father, without any of the gold. My town, South Porcupine, Ont., is very cold and it is isolated. The only recreation is hockey. Here, there is so much to do. I am glad I had the chance.
GARY HUGHES
Colorado '56 team
U. of Chicago graduate student
I feel there is merit in the practice. Remember there usually are no American players in the entire National Hockey League. How can you beat the Russians if you don't improve your hockey? But we came to the U.S. for an education, mainly. None of us is of National Hockey League caliber.
TOM BEDECKI
Former Colorado College hockey coach
As long as education is the main objective, why penalize underprivileged boys? There is no such thing as the athletic scholarship in Canada. If you could know these boys as I know them, you wouldn't begrudge them an education. In later years they will be America's best ambassadors in Canada.
ELEVEN PHOTOS