"One may wonder why my connections with field athletics would bring to my mind the subject of politeness, so I'll explain how this idea came to me. The men of Harvard are the cause of it. They are the most courteous and polite set of men I have ever met on an athletic field. It seems to be traditional with them to be gracious even when in the heat of competition, to accede whenever possible to the wishes of an opponent. I am referring here to their field men, their shotput, discus, hammer and javelin men, who, both in physique and bearing, remind me of the ancient Greeks and Romans I have read about.

"People generally may say that all this matters nothing that in fact nothing matters so long as the business rolls in. But I for one actually deplore the passing of old time chivalry and sincerely believe that the 'good old days' were certainly 'good old days.'"

(W. Ward Beam, "originator and director of the Ocean City beach classes," in the Philadelphia Evening Public Ledger).