14
Basketball's birthplace1900
Springfield,Massachusetts
15
Baskets for basketball1940
The Naismith Museum and Hall of Fame, Almonte
16
On June 20, 1894, he married Maude Sherman, with R. Tait McKenzie standing by side as his best man. It is interesting to note that Maude was one of the first women to play basketball. She was also quite active and shared her husbands’ interest in the game he invented.In the fall of 1895 the family moved to Denver Colorado so that Naismith could serve as the Physical Director of that city’s YMCA. He became interested in medicine while patching up athletes at the training school and decided to study medicine at Gross Point Medical College.
Dr. Naismith accepted a position at the Univeristy of Kansas in Lawrence in September, 1897. The new position suited his varied interests and talents very well, requiring him to be coach, and physical and religious director.
At the university he introduced new sports into the curriculum and promoted intramural activity. As an educator and pastor he focused on practical matters including a progressive approach to sex education.
Naismith was an influential professor who had contact with the entire student body as he taught two of the three courses required for graduation.
17
The 1908 Kansas University Basketball team. Courtesy of the Kansas University Archives.1908
Kansas University
18
Naismith's basketball champions1923
Kansas University
19
During the first World War Naismith took a leave of absence from his position in Kansas to enter the YWCA field services. In 1916, he was posted on the Mexican border with the First Kansas Infantry. In 1917, he left for France, where he was in charge of the Social Hygiene unit in Paris. He spent the majority of his time on the front lines reporting and improving the cleanliness and moral of the troops. His work there resulted in the publication of a book titled The Basis of Clean Living. In 1919, a thin Naismith returned to his duties at the University of Kansas.20
Dr. James Naismith, chaplain1916
Mexico
21
Basketball was introduced as a demonstration sport at the Olympics in 1904. These first games were played between individual teams from the United States. Sweden also sent a demonstration team which included both men and women. The sport was first played as an Olympic medal event in 1936.In 1935, a fundraising effort was begun to help send the Naismiths to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. February 7th through 15th, 1936, was designated "Naismith Week". In the United States one penny was collected from each ticket sold at every basketball game. Funds were also raised in Canada. Almonte High School raised twenty dollars for the cause.
Naismith was the first inventor of a sport to see it played as an Olympic medal event. He was honored with a ceremony and a parade of more than twenty basketball teams. Before the competition began Naismith addressed the teams and was asked to toss up the first jump ball. This first game was played between Estonia and France.
The United States was the most successful team at these first Olympic competitions. They defeated Spain by forfeit 2-0, then Estonia, 52-28, and Mexico, 25-10. The U.S. then competed with Canada for the gold medal in a game that was played outdoors in the pouring rain. The first gold medal contest ended with a score of 19-8 in favour of the United States.
Naismith attended many other events while at the Olympics, including a dinner hosted by Adolf Hitler for the coaching staffs of the national teams.
22
1936 Olympic Games poster1936
The Naismith Museum and Hall of Fame, Almonte
23
Dr. James Naismith poses with the Canadian National Basketball team in Berlin.1936
The Naismith Museum and Hall of Fame, Almonte
24
Dr. James Naismith poses with a basketball and two peach baskets.1936
Kansas University
25
Dr. James Naismith holding a basketball.1936
Kansas University
26
In June of 1937, Naismith accepted part-time status at the University of Kansas. He was unable to share his retirement with Maude as she died on March 4th. Still grieving for Maude, he and former colleague Duke D’Ambra embarked on a five thousand mile car trip across Canada and parts of the United States. It was during this trip that he made his last visit to Almonte.In September 1939 Naismith and his new wife were settling into their new home. Naismiths’ health was beginning to fail, though he was still able to spend time on a favorite hobby, woodworking. In mid-November, he suffered from a stroke, from which he never recovered. Dr. James Naismith died on November 28, 1939.
Basketball is now played in over 140 countries and has more players and spectators than any other sport. At the end of his book, titled Basketball Its Origin and Development, printed after his death in 1941, Naismith concludes with the following request:
"Let us all be able to lose gracefully and to win courteously; to accept criticism as well as praise; and last of all, to appreciate the attitude of the other at all times."
 |
 |
 |
 |