James naismith, athletic director of the ymca in springfield, ma, had a problem the cold winters kept everyone indoors. When he realized that the key to his game was that men could not run with the ball, and that throwing and jumping would eliminate the roughness of force, he was on to something. It surfaced only during research for a book about the influence of religion. He invented the game of basketball at age 30 in 1891. Basketball is built into the fabric of springfield college. Celebrating 150 years celebrates the 150th birthday of basketballs inventor. The university of kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, retaliation, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the universitys programs and activities. Naismith, born in northern ontario in 1861, gave up the ministry to preach clean living through sport. May 03, 2014 naismith also served as a mentor to his student john mclendon, who ultimately became the first black coach in professional basketball for george steinbrenners 1961 cleveland pipers.
Basketball quickly spread to other countries through the national and international structure of the ymca. Basketballs birth, in james naismiths own spoken words the. He wrote the original basketball rule book and founded the university of kansas basketball program. He is also said to have introduced the first football helmet naismith wrote the original basketball rulebook and started the university of kansas basketball program. Orphaned at the age of nine, he was raised by his uncle, peter young. The man who invented basketball is a well written documentation of his outstanding attributes as an educator, religious scholar and leader of young people. He gave sermons to kids while teaching them sports. Naismith wrote the original basketball rulebook and started the university of kansas basketball program.
The score was 10, and the new sport was an instant success. James naismiths original rules of basketball usa basketball. He is also said to have introduced the first football helmet. I am sure that no man can derive more pleasure from money or power than i do from seeing a pair of basketball goals in some outof. Apr 16, 2017 basketball is an original american game invented by dr.
Norbie and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. With a soccer ball, two peach baskets and a set of rules, the sport was born. Dec 15, 2015 james naismith describes violent first basketball game in audio interview a kansas professor found what is believed to be the only known recording of dr. James naismith describes violent first basketball game in audio interview a kansas professor found what is believed to be the only known recording. One evening he worked out the fundamentals of a game that would quickly catch on. For forty years he devoted his life to the moral, physical and educational wellbeing of ku students. James naismith november 6, 1861 november 28, 1939 was a canadian and naturalized american sports coach and innovator. May 06, 2016 the oldest footage of basketball in 1080 hd 1968, 1981, 1998 and film of dr. Apr 28, 2016 these rules were written on december 1891 by dr. James naismith november 6, 1861 november 28, 1939 was a canadianamerican physical educator, physician, christian chaplain, sports coach, and innovator. The naismith memorial basketball hall of fame james. The university of kansas libraries exhibition, james naismiths life and legacy. James naismith invented the game of basketball in a ymca gymnasium in springfield, mass. It seems unlikely that james naismith, who grew up playing duck on the rock in the rural community of almonte, canada, would invent one of americas most popular sports.
Almontes brothers of the wind by frank cosentino r. Basketballs birth, in james naismiths own spoken words. As a young man, naismith studied theology and excelled in. Located on the picturesque banks of the connecticut river, the new museum is a fitting shrine to the game dr. James naismith basketball foundation, almonte, ontario. In december 1891, naismiths students were the participants in the first ever game of basketball. The sport basketball was created because the ymca in springfield, massachusetts needed an indoor sport during the wintertime to keep the young men occupied. Naismith, born in northern ontario in 1861, gave up. The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands. Basketball is the only major sport that is the invention of one individual. Naismith lived his entire life without regard for personal glory or financial rewards, but rather for. Today, the naismith memorial basketball hall of fame is home to more than three hundred inductees and more than 40,000 square feet of basketball history. James naismith, basketballs inventor, arrived in new york city in.
The man who invented basketball shows how this young manwho wanted to be a medical doctor, or if not that, a minister in fact. Naismith also served as a mentor to his student john mclendon, who ultimately became the first black coach in professional basketball for george steinbrenners 1961 cleveland pipers. Naismiths choices on race, from basketballs beginnings. James naismith, inventor of the game of basketball, was. Allen won 771 games as a coach at the university of kansas. When he realized that the key to his game was that men could not run with the ball, and that throwing and jumping would eliminate the roughness of. The oldest footage of basketball in 1080 hd 1968, 1981, 1998 and film of dr. James naismith hardcover january 1, 1994 by bernice larson webb author. Born in ontario and educated at mcgill university, dr.
The proceeds will benefit the naismith foundation, which promotes sportsmanship and provides services to underprivileged children around the world. University of kansas james naismiths life and legacy. In the winter of 1891, when a 30yearold physical education instructor from the international ymca training school in springfield, massachusetts invented an indoor game that could be played between football and baseball seasons, basket ball originally two words was born. Whos who in canadian sport by bob ferguson a biographical history of canadian sport. Here is the sources that were accessed throughout the making of the video. Naismith invented the game of basketball and wrote the original rules of this sport, as opposed to the nba rule book which features 66 pages.
Two peach halfbushel baskets gave the name to the brand new sport in late 1891. James naismith invented basketball in 1891 after seeing the need for more indoor sports options during the cold months of winter. Born in ontario, he didnt move to the united states until age 30. James naismith describes violent first basketball game in. The game was invented by springfield college instructor and graduate student james naismith in 1891. Two peach baskets and a soccer ball were the equipment. The game of basketball was invented in springfield, massachusetts, in 1891 by a physical education instructor named james naismith. Naismith lived long enough to see basketball included in the olympics in 1936. James naismith reveals how naismith invented basketball in part to find an indoor activity to occupy students in the winter months. There are other books out there but this one is the best.
Rains and carpenter chronicle how james naismith developed the original rules of basketball, coached the game at the university of kansasestablishing college basketball in the processand was honored for his work at the 1936 olympic games in berlin. The naismith basketball foundation strives to increase awareness of canadian dr. Naismith called his new game basket ball and wrote up rules. Baker, a professor of history at the university of maine, orono. Naismith lived his entire life without regard for personal glory or financial rewards, but rather for setting examples of integrity and perseverance for all to follow. Its origin and development was written by the inventor himself, who was inspired purely by the joy of play.
Reviewed in the united states on january 18, 2016 great book. Jun 03, 2011 james naismith reveals how naismith invented basketball in part to find an indoor activity to occupy students in the winter months. This collection of historic materials includes photographs, a scrapbook, university records and pamphlets from mcgill university, springfield college and the university of. Basketball was played in at least 12 countries within two years of its invention. It surfaced only during research for a book about the influence of religion on his life. Based on the childhood game of duck on a rock, naismiths original rules were developed in 1891 when he was working for the ymca. James naismith was born in almonte, ontario, canada, on november 6, 1861. James got to be a minister, but not a very formal one. Jul, 2011 introduction to james naismith, father of basketball mini biography inventions come into being because problems need solving. Naismiths legacy includes coaching and launching the first great college basketball coach, forrest phog allen 18851974. James naismith, canadianamerican physicaleducation director who, in december 1891, at the international young mens christian association training school, afterward springfield massachusetts college, invented the game of basketball. Here are 10 things you may not know about the inventor of basketball. Naismiths name adorns the worlds only basketball hall of fame.
The collections of the university archives at ku document the nearly 150 year history of the university of kansas. Players had to throw a soccer ball into a peach basket resting on top of a tenfoot pole. These are the rules published in january 1892 in the school newspaper where he instituted the game. With naismith and basketball, there is a unique and singular point in history where one of the major global sports can pinpoint who, when, where and why the game was invented. James naismith students britannica kids homework help. Naismith viewed sports as a vehicle to develop peoples body and character. Almonte by frank cosentino the life of juan nepomuceno almonte. Dec 16, 2015 a short radio interview on a new york station in 1939 may be the only existing recording of naismith. This is a digital narrative about the life and accomplishments of dr.
Baker, a professor of history at the university of maine. His uncle peter strongly disagreed, but james ignored him. The author of this book worked with naismith s granddaughter and had access to naismith s letters and papers, which gives the story for instance, naismith only ever played basketball twice, despite inventing the game and coaching it for years. Naismith was so much more than the inventor of the sport and james naismith. The following person has been designated to handle. James naismith put his faith into action and created. In december 1891, naismith s students were the participants in the first ever game of basketball. Canadian physical education instructor who invented basketball in 1891 at the ymca training school now springfield college in springfield, mass. This book, originally published in 1941, carries a new introduction by william j.
James naismith november 6, 1861november 28, 1939 was a canadian sports coach who, in december of 1891, took a soccer ball and a peach basket into the gym at the springfield, massachusetts ymca and invented basketball. Basketball rule books have gained considerable heft since naismith. What was needed was an indoor wintertime game that combined recreation and competition. Allen played for naismith at the university of kansas. James naismith was a canadianamerican physical educator who invented the game of basketball in 1891. The naismith memorial basketball hall of fame james naismith. The same year he left canada for springfield, massachusetts, he invented the game of basketball. The basketball man by bernice larson webb the biography of james naismith. Basketball is an original american game invented by dr. James naismith was born november 6, 1861, in almonte, ontario, canada to john and margaret young naismith. James naismith was teaching physical education at the young mens christian association training college in springfield, massachusetts, and felt discouraged because calisthenics and gymnastics didnt engage his students.
But rob rains and hellen carpenters fascinating, indepth biography james naismith. Naismith threw the ball in the air for the first tipoff. A symposium by william macdonald, august van ryn, dr. James naismith canadianamerican athlete and educator.
Biography of james naismith, inventor of basketball. As a youth he was adept at farm labor and enjoyed playing catch and hideandseek. Naismith put the baskets at each end of the gym, nailed 10 feet above the floor. Introduction to james naismith, father of basketball mini biography inventions come into being because problems need solving. James naismith kansapedia kansas historical society. Three years later he died, after nearly forty years as head of the physical education department at the university of kansas. James naismith, the inventor of the game of basketball. A short radio interview on a new york station in 1939 may be the only existing recording of naismith. The naismith memorial basketball hall of fame about us. May 15, 2019 james naismith november 6, 1861november 28, 1939 was a canadian sports coach who, in december of 1891, took a soccer ball and a peach basket into the gym at the springfield, massachusetts ymca and invented basketball.
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