The Athletic Committee of the Faculty, as well as the students, will probably be rejoiced to know that a prominent authority has recently given an official definition of the word "amateur" as distinguished from "professional." We refer to the definition of the National Association of Amateur Athletes, which held a meeting in New York on Saturday. The Association finally gave the following clear and precise definition as its official announcement. "An Amateur is any person who has never competed in any open competition for money, or under a false name, or with a professional for a prize, or where gate money is charged, nor has ever, at any time, taught, pursued or assisted at athletic exercises for money, or for any valuable consideration. But nothing in this definition shall be construed to prohibit the competition between amateurs for medals, cups, or other prizes than money."

In consideration of the many variations of which the Athletic Committee has made on its own authority the meaning of the word "professional" capable, it would not, perhaps, be a bad plan for our representatives at the next conference to ask the Faculty if this declaration of the amateur athletes agrees with their ideas of what constitutes a "professional." It seems as if there was an excellent opportunity for the students to get a clearer definition of "professional," since such a positive and unequivocal definition has been given by an authority so much respected in athletic matters. The Association is to hold another meeting in about a month, when such questions as may arise in regard to the construction of the above described status of an "amateur," will be settled. From appearances, then, we may expect this spring a very comprehensive and accurate description of an "amateur," and may also await with considerable curiosity, the position of our Athletic Committee on the definition, if they deign to notice it.