In 1890 Canadian James Naismith...
Illustration
In 1890 Canadian James Naismith faced a career decision as he concluded his senior year as a Presbyterian theological student in Montreal. Was he to seek a pastorate as most of his fellow students were doing, or should he obey the inner voice that seemed to be saying to him to pursue a Christian calling in the field of athletics. Astounding his professors and friends he chose the latter.
He enrolled in a recently-opened Y.M.C.A. training center in Springfield, Massachusetts, now called Springfield College. The next year he was given a position on the faculty, and he also was given an unwanted assignment of teaching a winter term class on calisthenics hated by the students. He accepted the challenge of inventing a new game for the students to play during his class, and the first basketball game ever played was in the Springfield gym in December, 1891.
Later Naismith went to medical school and became a physician. Most of his career was spent at the University of Kansas where originally he was hired as instructor in physical education, director of the chapel and the college physician. Throughout his long career and into his retirement years he preached in rural churches throughout Kansas never forgetting his original call to preach the gospel. In the spirit of Jeremiah he was a shepherd who really cared for his flock.
He enrolled in a recently-opened Y.M.C.A. training center in Springfield, Massachusetts, now called Springfield College. The next year he was given a position on the faculty, and he also was given an unwanted assignment of teaching a winter term class on calisthenics hated by the students. He accepted the challenge of inventing a new game for the students to play during his class, and the first basketball game ever played was in the Springfield gym in December, 1891.
Later Naismith went to medical school and became a physician. Most of his career was spent at the University of Kansas where originally he was hired as instructor in physical education, director of the chapel and the college physician. Throughout his long career and into his retirement years he preached in rural churches throughout Kansas never forgetting his original call to preach the gospel. In the spirit of Jeremiah he was a shepherd who really cared for his flock.
