The James Naismith Reader Basketball In His Own Words
James Naismith, the man who invented basketball, was a physical education instructor from Canada. He created the game in 1891, while working at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. Naismith was given the task of creating a new game that could be played indoors during the winter months. He came up with basketball, a game that has now become one of the most popular and widely played sports in the world.
Early Life and Education
James Naismith was born on November 6, 1861 in Almonte, Ontario, Canada. He was the second of three sons born to John and Margaret Naismith. Naismith's parents were Scottish immigrants who had settled in Canada. His father worked as a weaver and spinner in a woolen factory, while his mother was a homemaker.
Naismith's early education was at a one-room schoolhouse in Bennie's Corners, Ontario. He then attended high school in Almonte, where he showed an early interest in sports. Naismith played rugby, lacrosse, and soccer in high school, and went on to attend McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
The Invention of Basketball
In December 1891, Naismith was given the task of creating a new game that could be played indoors during the winter months. He was instructed to create a game that would be less rough than football and less strenuous than gymnastics, but still provide a good workout. Naismith came up with the idea of basketball, which he described as "a game of skill and accuracy, played by two teams of five players each, with a ball which must be thrown into a goal 10 feet high."
Naismith wrote down the rules of the game and hung them on the wall of the gymnasium where he worked. The first official game of basketball was played on December 21, 1891, between Naismith's students at the International YMCA Training School. The game ended in a score of 1-0, with the only goal being scored by a student named William R. Chase.
Naismith's Own Words
In addition to inventing basketball, James Naismith was also a prolific writer and speaker. He wrote several books on basketball and physical education, and gave many speeches throughout his life. Here are some quotes from Naismith about basketball:
"Basketball is not a game for the slow-moving, weak or careless. It is a game of speed, strength, agility and skill."
"Basketball is a game that is played on the court, but it is won in the mind."
"Basketball is a great game, but it doesn't mean anything if it doesn't make a difference in the lives of the players who play it."
"The essence of basketball is not in the color of the ball, but in the spirit of the game."
Legacy
James Naismith's invention of basketball has had a lasting impact on sports and physical education. Basketball has become one of the most popular and widely played sports in the world, with millions of people playing the game at all levels of competition. Naismith's emphasis on sportsmanship, fair play, and teamwork has also influenced the way that sports are played and taught.
Naismith died on November 28, 1939, at the age of 78. He was buried in Lawrence, Kansas, the town where he had lived and worked for many years. Naismith's legacy lives on, not only in the game of basketball, but also in his writings and speeches about sports and physical education.
In conclusion, the James Naismith Reader Basketball In His Own Words is a fascinating look at the man who invented basketball and his views on the game. Naismith was a visionary who saw the potential of basketball as a way to promote health, fitness, and teamwork. His legacy continues to inspire people all around the world to play and enjoy the game of basketball.
