History Of Basketball Essay Research Paper Inventor

History Of Basketball Essay, Research Paper

Inventor of Basketball

There’s no such sport more convenient or accessible than basketball. It is fun, practical, and affordable. It’s also a common and healthy alternative to electronic entertainment. However, such a great sport could not come about by itself. There was an idea behind it. And behind that idea was a man, Dr. James Naismith.

James Naismith was born near Almonte, Ontario on November 6, 1861. He was the eldest son of Scottish immigrants John and Margaret Naismith. His family moved to Grand Calumet in 1869 when James was eight, so his father could become a sawhand. Two years later his parents died from typhoid fever leaving James his brother, and his sister, orphans. James, his brother Robbie, and sister Annie, then went to live with their maternal grandmother. When she died, they were sent into the care of their authoritarian uncle, Peter Young.

James’ childhood education was received at a single-roomed grade school. Although James was a strong and skillful boy, his academic studies were not as strong. His leadership skills compensated for poor marks. He was a leader among his peers in physical activities. He showed signs of becoming a great athlete. James soon moved on to high school, which was a grey-stone building in Almonte for him. Before and after school James did chores around the farm and worked woods. Through these chores he learned how to chop trees, saw logs, and drive horses. He was very independent in everything he did. If he was in the field or the woods he was expected to carry out his given work without any help. If problems arose, he dealt with them himself. This was due to his strong sense of leadership and skillfullness.

To further his education, James attended McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. There he began a four-year program in Bachelor of Arts. Here he studied exceedingly hard, and to do this he decided set aside sports. Finally, one day two of his friends convinced him that Varsity sports was key in staying fit. James then started to participate in gymnastics and rugby. He was so good at these sports that by his junior year he received the university’s highest awards for his athletic involvement. He was also part of the student government, Society choir, and the Literary Society for which he debated. After much study and hard work, James finally finished his four-year Bachelor program in 1887 and was put on the Prize and Honour List for completing his Bachelor of Arts Honours in philosophy and Hebrew. He graduated as one of the top ten in his class on April 30, 1887.

After graduation, James enrolled in the Presbyterian College. To pay for his education, James took up a job as instructor of physical education in the gymnasium at McGill. He studied hard as a student in a theological program and involved himself in extracurricular religious activities. He was part of the staff of the Presbyterian College Journal, the Literary and Philosophical Society, and the Missionary Society. James also liked to participate in rough sports such as lacrosse and rugby. Many people tried to deter him from sports so he could focus on his studies, but James made room for both.

Dr. James Naismith was very active in sports, but he did not decide to become active in helping others to be active in sports, until a remark that changed his career. During a senior rugby game, a player on James’ team swore, then apologized to James, explaining, “I forgot you were there.” These words changed the course of his life; now he began to ponder on the idea of helping men through athletics and ministry.

He began to develop his idea by visiting the Y.M.C.A (Young Men’s Christian Association) in Montreal and became acquainted with D.A. Budge, the general secretary of the Y.M.C.A. James explained his idea of helping young athletes to Mr. Budge. Mr. Budge informed him about the Y.M.C.A International Training School in Massachusetts. James decided to leave the Presbyterian College as an unordained minister to pursue a career entailing physical education. James spent some time learning about the Y.M.C.A s in Canada and the U.S. and then, in 1890, he left Almonte and travelled to Springfield to enroll in the Y.M.C.A Training School there. Here he furthered his education on spiritual and physical development.

James took and taught many courses at and played rugby for the Y.M.C.A. At the time (1870-80), outdoor sports were on an increase in interest; football and baseball being two of the major outdoor sports. However, between football and baseball season, there was athletic emptiness. Most of the time, athletes spent this emptiness of sports doing exercises and training. Although training is a necessity it can also be very monotonous and intensive. James realized this and he and the other students were put to the task of inventing new games for indoor play. After much thinking, the end result was the game of basketball. His new game was a huge success and some people wanted it to be named to Naismith ball, however Dr. Naismith, being the humble man that he was, declined.

In 1894, James marries Maude Shermann from Springfield. They had five children, Margaret, Helen, John, Maud, and James. Fourteen years later he became a professor and doctor at Kansas University. He received American citizenship in 1925. In 1937 his wife died and he retired from the Univer