James James Naismith Naismith Father of Father of

BasketballBasketball

Angela LumpkinAngela LumpkinUniversity of Kansas University of Kansas

His Early Years His Early Years He was born on November 6, 1861, in He was born on November 6, 1861, in Almonte, Ontario, Canada, the son of Almonte, Ontario, Canada, the son of

Scottish immigrants (John and Margaret Scottish immigrants (John and Margaret [Young] Naismith).[Young] Naismith).

He attended a one-room schoolhouse in He attended a one-room schoolhouse in Bennie’s Corners near Almonte, where he Bennie’s Corners near Almonte, where he developed strength and skill in physical developed strength and skill in physical activities. activities.

He became an orphan at age nine (along with He became an orphan at age nine (along with older sister Annie and younger brother older sister Annie and younger brother Robert) when his parents died from typhoid Robert) when his parents died from typhoid fever.fever.

He was then raised by his unmarried uncle, He was then raised by his unmarried uncle, Peter Young, and learned lessons from him in Peter Young, and learned lessons from him in honesty, initiative, reliability, and self-honesty, initiative, reliability, and self-reliance.reliance.

His Education His Education He graduated from Almonte High School in He graduated from Almonte High School in

1883, but only after dropping out and working 1883, but only after dropping out and working for four years.for four years.

He earned his B.A. in physical education from He earned his B.A. in physical education from McGill University in Montreal in 1887.McGill University in Montreal in 1887.

He graduated from Presbyterian College of He graduated from Presbyterian College of Theology in 1890 (while teaching physical Theology in 1890 (while teaching physical education at McGill). education at McGill).

He attended the YWCA Training School in 1890-He attended the YWCA Training School in 1890-1892, serving on the faculty from 1891-1895. 1892, serving on the faculty from 1891-1895. (It was there in 1891 he invented basketball). (It was there in 1891 he invented basketball).

He earned his medical degree between 1895-He earned his medical degree between 1895-1898 while serving as Physical Director of the 1898 while serving as Physical Director of the YMCA in Denver.YMCA in Denver.

James Naismith, StudentJames Naismith, Student McGill University—Literary Society; debater; McGill University—Literary Society; debater;

cited for Honors in Hebrew and philosophy and cited for Honors in Hebrew and philosophy and was one of the top ten in his class when he was one of the top ten in his class when he graduated at age 25graduated at age 25

Presbyterian College—he was associate editor of Presbyterian College—he was associate editor of the the Presbyterian College JournalPresbyterian College Journal; president of the ; president of the Philosophical and Literary Society; active in the Philosophical and Literary Society; active in the Missionary Society; each year, he was recognized Missionary Society; each year, he was recognized as the second highest academically in his class as the second highest academically in his class

YMCA Training School—he was so competent YMCA Training School—he was so competent that he joined the faculty while completing the that he joined the faculty while completing the two-year program (committed to development of two-year program (committed to development of whole man)whole man)

Gross Medical College—graduated at age 37Gross Medical College—graduated at age 37½ ½ while working full-timewhile working full-time

James Naismith, AthleteJames Naismith, Athlete McGill University—gymnastics; rugby; lacrosse; McGill University—gymnastics; rugby; lacrosse;

he won the top medal as the all-around he won the top medal as the all-around gymnastics champion in his junior and senior gymnastics champion in his junior and senior yearsyears

Presbyterian College—rugbyPresbyterian College—rugby Played for the Shamrocks, a professional Played for the Shamrocks, a professional

lacrosse teamlacrosse team While a theology student, he began to consider While a theology student, he began to consider

how he might help men through athletics, how he might help men through athletics, rather than the ministry.rather than the ministry.

YMCA Training School—played rugby and YMCA Training School—played rugby and footballfootball

Played basketball only twice—once at the Played basketball only twice—once at the YMCA Training School (1892) and once at KU YMCA Training School (1892) and once at KU (1898)(1898)

Need for a New GameNeed for a New Game Structured gymnastics work was not exciting or Structured gymnastics work was not exciting or

enjoyable. A new, interesting game was needed.enjoyable. A new, interesting game was needed. There was no competitive game for the winter There was no competitive game for the winter

months (between football and baseball months (between football and baseball seasons).seasons).

The first players, who were in a class The first players, who were in a class for preparing YMCA secretaries, for preparing YMCA secretaries, seemed to be interested in participating seemed to be interested in participating only in something playful, yet only in something playful, yet competitive. competitive.

Naismith told Dr. Luther Gulick, who assigned Naismith told Dr. Luther Gulick, who assigned him the class, “All that we have to do is to take him the class, “All that we have to do is to take the factors of our known games and recombine the factors of our known games and recombine them, and we will have the game we are looking them, and we will have the game we are looking for.” (p. 33)for.” (p. 33)

He tried modifications of football, soccer, and He tried modifications of football, soccer, and lacrosse but without success.lacrosse but without success.

Take the Best from the Take the Best from the RestRest All team games used a ball; a bigger, lighter ball All team games used a ball; a bigger, lighter ball

was easier to handle; could be easily caught and was easier to handle; could be easily caught and thrown; and no other equipment needed.thrown; and no other equipment needed.

To eliminate roughness, tackling, and physical To eliminate roughness, tackling, and physical contact, there could be no running with the ball, contact, there could be no running with the ball, other than the steps needed to stop. other than the steps needed to stop.

To advance the ball, a player would have to To advance the ball, a player would have to throw or bat it with his hand, not fist, in any throw or bat it with his hand, not fist, in any direction.direction.

Remembering the lobbed, arching shots from Remembering the lobbed, arching shots from Duck on the Rock and to prevent men from Duck on the Rock and to prevent men from defending a goal on the floor, the objective of defending a goal on the floor, the objective of the game should be to throw the ball at a the game should be to throw the ball at a elevated box above their heads.elevated box above their heads.

Starting the game by throwing the ball up Starting the game by throwing the ball up between just two players would reduce between just two players would reduce roughness.roughness.

The Circumstances The Circumstances No basketball, so a No basketball, so a

soccer ball was used soccer ball was used No boxes available, but No boxes available, but

had two peach baskets had two peach baskets No standard for the No standard for the

baskets, so the baskets baskets, so the baskets were nailed to the were nailed to the balcony (which just balcony (which just happened to be 10’ high)happened to be 10’ high)

There were 18 students There were 18 students in the class, so the first in the class, so the first game was played with 3 game was played with 3 forwards, 3 centers, and forwards, 3 centers, and 3 backs on each team3 backs on each team

December 15, 1891““The game was success The game was success from the time that the from the time that the first ball was tossed first ball was tossed up. The players were up. The players were interested and seemed interested and seemed to enjoy the game. to enjoy the game. Word soon got around Word soon got around that they were having that they were having fun in Naismith’s gym fun in Naismith’s gym class, and only a few class, and only a few days after the first days after the first game we began to have game we began to have a gallery.” (p. 57)a gallery.” (p. 57)

In the Beginning…In the Beginning… A student who played in the first game A student who played in the first game

suggested that the name of the new game suggested that the name of the new game should be “Naismith ball.” The inventor should be “Naismith ball.” The inventor declined saying that name would kill the declined saying that name would kill the game. So the student suggested “basketball.”game. So the student suggested “basketball.”

Females played basketball almost Females played basketball almost immediately (on an early team was Maude immediately (on an early team was Maude Sherman, the future Mrs. Naismith).Sherman, the future Mrs. Naismith).

The first rules (the original 13) were published The first rules (the original 13) were published in the YMCA’s school newspaper, the in the YMCA’s school newspaper, the “Triangle,” in January of 1892 under the “Triangle,” in January of 1892 under the heading “A New Game.”heading “A New Game.”

This new game was spread by the YMCA as This new game was spread by the YMCA as international students took the game home international students took the game home from their studies at the YMCA Training from their studies at the YMCA Training School.School.

The rules were published in many languages.The rules were published in many languages.

Thirteen Original Rules* Thirteen Original Rules* 1.The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands. 2.The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands

(never with the fist). 3.A player cannot run with the ball. The player must throw it from

the spot on which he catches it; allowance to be made for a man who catches the ball when running at good speed.

4.The ball must be held in or between the hands; the arms or body must not be used for holding it.

5.No shouldering, holding, pushing, tripping, or striking, in any way the person of an opponent shall be allowed; the first infringement of this rule by any person shall count as a foul, the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is made, or, if there was evident intent to injure the person for the whole of the game, no substitution allowed.

6.A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, violations of Rules 3, 4 and such as described in Rule 5.

7. If either side makes three consecutive fouls, it shall count as a goal for the opponents. (Consecutive means without the opponents in the meantime making a foul.) (*Naismith, 1941, pp. 53-55)

8. A goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from the grounds into the basket and stays there, providing those defending the goal do not touch or disturb the goal. If the ball rests on the edge, and the opponent moves the basket, it shall count as a goal.

9. When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field and played by the person first touching it. In case of a dispute, the umpire shall throw it straight into the field. The thrower-in is allowed five seconds. If he holds it longer it shall go to the opponent. If any side persists in delaying the game, the umpire shall call a foul on them.

10. The umpire shall be judge of the men and shall note the fouls and notify the referee when three consecutive fouls have been made. He shall have power to disqualify men according to Rule 5.

11. The referee shall be judge of the ball and shall decide when the ball is in play, in bounds, to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He shall decide when a goal has been made and keep account of the goals, with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee.

12. The time shall be two fifteen minute halves, with five minutes rest between.

13. The side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winners. In case of a draw, the game may, by agreement of the captains, be continued until another goal is made.

Basketball Basketball Equipment Equipment

The ball—first made in 1894The ball—first made in 1894 The goal evolvedThe goal evolved

Peach baskets (used a ladder to retrieve the Peach baskets (used a ladder to retrieve the ball)ball)

Peach baskets with a hole drilled in bottom; Peach baskets with a hole drilled in bottom; used a pole to punch out the ball used a pole to punch out the ball

Cylindrical wire baskets with a chain to allow Cylindrical wire baskets with a chain to allow the ball to dropthe ball to drop

Black iron rim with heavy cord netsBlack iron rim with heavy cord nets The backboards—to prevent interference from The backboards—to prevent interference from

fansfansScreen to wood (1905) to plate glass (1909)Screen to wood (1905) to plate glass (1909)

The court—imaginary boundary lines to The court—imaginary boundary lines to regulation dimensions regulation dimensions

1895 — Five players to a side

Attributes Developed by Attributes Developed by BasketballBasketball InitiativeInitiative

AgilityAgility AccuracyAccuracy AlertnessAlertness CooperationCooperation SkillSkill Reflex Reflex

judgmentjudgment SpeedSpeed Self-confidenceSelf-confidence Self-sacrificeSelf-sacrifice Self-controlSelf-control SportsmanshipSportsmanship

““When he meets an entirely When he meets an entirely new condition, he can not new condition, he can not depend on the coach, but depend on the coach, but must face the emergency must face the emergency himself. I consider initiative himself. I consider initiative one of the most valuable one of the most valuable attributes, and the present attributes, and the present tendency of the player to tendency of the player to depend on the coach for depend on the coach for the next more largely the next more largely destroys the opportunity of destroys the opportunity of acquiring this quality.” (p. acquiring this quality.” (p. 184)184)

Amos Alonzo Stagg, the famous Amos Alonzo Stagg, the famous University of Chicago football coach University of Chicago football coach and friend from the YMCA Training and friend from the YMCA Training School, recommended him for a School, recommended him for a position at KU. Stagg may have told position at KU. Stagg may have told Chancellor Strong that Naismith Chancellor Strong that Naismith was an all-around athlete, medical was an all-around athlete, medical doctor, and Presbyterian minister, doctor, and Presbyterian minister, who did not smoke, drink, or cuss.who did not smoke, drink, or cuss.

Note the “helmet” being worn by Note the “helmet” being worn by Naismith. He is credited with Naismith. He is credited with inventing the football helmet. inventing the football helmet.

Career at KUCareer at KU He became the Director of Physical He became the Director of Physical

Education and Campus Chaplain in 1898. Education and Campus Chaplain in 1898. As Chaplain, he conducted one-hour required As Chaplain, he conducted one-hour required

daily devotional exercises (later weekly and daily devotional exercises (later weekly and then voluntary).then voluntary).

As Director of Physical Education, he taught As Director of Physical Education, he taught the required hygiene course for freshmen, the required hygiene course for freshmen, gymnastics classes, and a kinesiology course. gymnastics classes, and a kinesiology course.

He established intramural athletics for all He established intramural athletics for all students.students.

He introduced fencing, rowing, track, and He introduced fencing, rowing, track, and lacrosse, and got a golf course built on lacrosse, and got a golf course built on campus.campus.

At the age of 76 and after 39 years of service At the age of 76 and after 39 years of service to KU, he retired in 1937.to KU, he retired in 1937.

James Naismith, Coach* James Naismith, Coach* Established KU’s first Established KU’s first

team, which played team, which played initially on February 3, initially on February 3, 18991899

He told one of his He told one of his players, Forrest “Phog” players, Forrest “Phog” Allen, “You can’t coach Allen, “You can’t coach basketball, Forrest, you basketball, Forrest, you play it.”* (Phog Allen play it.”* (Phog Allen coached KU’s basketball coached KU’s basketball team for 39 years.) team for 39 years.)

1898-1899  7-4 1898-1899  7-4  1899-1900  3-41899-1900  3-4 1900-1901  4-81900-1901  4-8 1901-1902   5-71901-1902   5-7 1902-1903   7-81902-1903   7-8 1903-1904   5-81903-1904   5-8 1904-1905   5-61904-1905   5-6 1905-1906  12-71905-1906  12-7 1906-1907  7-81906-1907  7-8 Overall Overall 55-6055-60

*KU Basketball Media Guide*KU Basketball Media Guide

James Naismith, Coach James Naismith, Coach Most games were played against YMCA teams Most games were played against YMCA teams

or athletic clubs, not colleges.or athletic clubs, not colleges. The points scored were much lower; for The points scored were much lower; for

example, in the first season, the team’s high example, in the first season, the team’s high game score was 31 points; twice the team game score was 31 points; twice the team scored only 5 points in a game.scored only 5 points in a game.

His teams had no adequate home court; they His teams had no adequate home court; they played in rented space off-campus or in Snow played in rented space off-campus or in Snow Hall with its 11Hall with its 11’’ ceiling, but mostly away games ceiling, but mostly away games (often without him).(often without him).

The first real basketball court in Robinson The first real basketball court in Robinson Gymnasium was not ready for use until the Gymnasium was not ready for use until the 1907-1908 season when Phog Allen coached the 1907-1908 season when Phog Allen coached the team.  team.  

Coaching Coaching LegaciesLegacies

Phog Allen

James Naismith

Dean Smith

Larry Brown

Roy Williams

Adolph Rupp

Pat Riley

James Naismith, Family James Naismith, Family Man Man In 1894 he married Springfield, In 1894 he married Springfield,

Massachusetts, native Maude Sherman. Massachusetts, native Maude Sherman. Mrs. Naismith suffered from deafness due Mrs. Naismith suffered from deafness due to typhoid fever suffered before the birth of to typhoid fever suffered before the birth of the second of their five children (Margaret; the second of their five children (Margaret; Helen; Jack; Maude Annie; James). Helen; Jack; Maude Annie; James).

Although he raised his family according to a Although he raised his family according to a strict religious code a behavior, he was strict religious code a behavior, he was playful with his children and a reluctant playful with his children and a reluctant disciplinarian. disciplinarian.

He was accomplished in woodworking. He He was accomplished in woodworking. He built and refurbished numerous pieces of built and refurbished numerous pieces of furniture and helped construct a couple of furniture and helped construct a couple of the houses in which he and his family lived.the houses in which he and his family lived.

James Naismith, James Naismith, Educator Educator

He was interested in using sports to develop He was interested in using sports to develop men morally, spiritually, and physically, as men morally, spiritually, and physically, as Luther Gulick and the YMCA stressed.Luther Gulick and the YMCA stressed.

He used his ministerial preparation to teach He used his ministerial preparation to teach moral lessons, his medical education to moral lessons, his medical education to measure, heal, and care for their bodies, and measure, heal, and care for their bodies, and his physical education expertise to teach his physical education expertise to teach them sports to strengthen their bodies and to them sports to strengthen their bodies and to emphasize sportsmanship.emphasize sportsmanship.

He zealously took anthropometric He zealously took anthropometric measurements of his students, in part to measurements of his students, in part to prove that basketball was not too strenuous. prove that basketball was not too strenuous.

His book His book Basketball—Its Origin and Basketball—Its Origin and Development Development was published posthumously in was published posthumously in 1941.1941.

James Naismith, Citizen-James Naismith, Citizen-SoldierSoldier In 1915, although 54 years old and a In 1915, although 54 years old and a

Canadian citizen, he volunteered to Canadian citizen, he volunteered to serve as chaplain with the Kansas serve as chaplain with the Kansas National Guard. In 1916, he served with National Guard. In 1916, he served with the First Regiment, Kansas Volunteer the First Regiment, Kansas Volunteer Infantry in General Pershing’s Punitive Infantry in General Pershing’s Punitive Expedition to quell the Border War with Expedition to quell the Border War with Mexico. His taught sports and sex Mexico. His taught sports and sex education to keep soldiers out of education to keep soldiers out of trouble. trouble.

Continuing his commitment to the goals Continuing his commitment to the goals of the YMCA, between 1917-1919 he of the YMCA, between 1917-1919 he helped provide athletic activities to helped provide athletic activities to soldiers in France and while directing soldiers in France and while directing the Bureau of Hygiene taught sex the Bureau of Hygiene taught sex education to soldiers. He stressed education to soldiers. He stressed vigorous physical exercise, sexual vigorous physical exercise, sexual morality, and social hygiene. morality, and social hygiene.

James Naismith, Public James Naismith, Public ServantServant For years, he was a popular Sunday School For years, he was a popular Sunday School

teacher.teacher. He was a popular speaker with the Chautauqua He was a popular speaker with the Chautauqua

program, on topics ranging from child program, on topics ranging from child development to the physical development of development to the physical development of college athletes to the origin of basketball.college athletes to the origin of basketball.

As an ordained minister (from 1916), for years he As an ordained minister (from 1916), for years he filled Presbyterian pulpits in and around filled Presbyterian pulpits in and around Lawrence. Lawrence.

He was an active member of and honored by the He was an active member of and honored by the Douglas County and Kansas Medical Societies.Douglas County and Kansas Medical Societies.

Throughout his career, he lectured on behalf of Throughout his career, he lectured on behalf of the YMCA and was honored by the YMCA and the YMCA and was honored by the YMCA and Springfield College (YMCA Training School) for Springfield College (YMCA Training School) for his distinguished service. his distinguished service.

Ambassador for Ambassador for BasketballBasketball He threw up the ceremonial first ball He threw up the ceremonial first ball

for the inaugural game of basketball for the inaugural game of basketball in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin and presented the first gold medal to and presented the first gold medal to the U.S.A. team. (His trip was the U.S.A. team. (His trip was sponsored by the National sponsored by the National Association of Basketball Coaches Association of Basketball Coaches through “Naismith nights” when one through “Naismith nights” when one penny was collected for each ticket penny was collected for each ticket sold.)sold.)

He was named Honorary Chairman He was named Honorary Chairman and life member of the National and life member of the National Basketball Committee and Honorary Basketball Committee and Honorary President of the Basketball Coaches’ President of the Basketball Coaches’ Association and International Association and International Federation of Basketball Leagues.Federation of Basketball Leagues.

HonorsHonors Received Received

the Legum the Legum Doctorate Doctorate degree degree from from McGill McGill University University (1938)(1938)

Received Received Honorary Honorary Doctor of Doctor of Divinity Divinity from from PresbyteriaPresbyterian College n College in Montreal in Montreal (1939)(1939)

Canadian Sports Hall of Fame Canadian Sports Hall of Fame (1955)(1955)

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (the first inductee in of Fame (the first inductee in 1959)1959)

Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Kansas Sports Hall of Fame (charter inductee in 1961) (charter inductee in 1961)

Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame (1986)Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame (1986) Ontario Sports Legends Hall of Ontario Sports Legends Hall of

Fame (1996)Fame (1996) McGill University Sports Hall of McGill University Sports Hall of

Fame (inaugural inductee in 1996)Fame (inaugural inductee in 1996)

From his Citation in the From his Citation in the Naismith Memorial Naismith Memorial

Basketball Hall of Fame:Basketball Hall of Fame: ““As basketball's As basketball's

popularity grew, popularity grew, Naismith neither Naismith neither sought publicity nor sought publicity nor engaged in self-engaged in self-promotion. He was first promotion. He was first and foremost an and foremost an educator. He embraced educator. He embraced recreational sport but recreational sport but shied away from the shied away from the glory of competitive glory of competitive athletics.”athletics.”

Remembering James Remembering James NaismithNaismith

From the eulogy that From the eulogy that appeared in the appeared in the Journal of Health and Journal of Health and Physical EducationPhysical Education, , Naismith was Naismith was described as "a described as "a physician who physician who encouraged healthful encouraged healthful living through living through participation through participation through vigorous activities" vigorous activities" and a builder of and a builder of "character in the "character in the hearts of young men." hearts of young men." He died in Lawrence on November 28 , 1939.

I will be a manStrong in body,Clear in mindLofty in Ideals.*

*Written on the flyleaf of the New Testament he carried in France as a YMCA leader during WW I

ReferencesReferences James Naismith. Available from James Naismith. Available from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Naismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Naismith ith

Naismith, J. (1941) Naismith, J. (1941) Basketball—Its origin Basketball—Its origin and development. and development. New York: Association New York: Association Press.Press.

The original Dr. J. Available from The original Dr. J. Available from http://www.frozenhoops.com/id10.html http://www.frozenhoops.com/id10.html

Webb, B. L. (1973; 1994). Webb, B. L. (1973; 1994). The basketball The basketball man—James Naismithman—James Naismith. Lawrence, KS: . Lawrence, KS: Kappelman’s Historic Collections. Kappelman’s Historic Collections.

100th Anniversary of 100th Anniversary of James Naismith's Birth James Naismith's Birth