Letter from Amos Alonzo Stagg to William Ball (April 26th, 1941)
Description:
This is a letter from Amos Alonzo Stagg to William Henry Ball written on April 26th, 1941. In the letter Stagg reveals that he found out that he had been selected for the Edward N. Tarbell Medallion (an alumni award given at Springfield College. He also says that he is sending Ball a $15 check.
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Babson Library, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
William Ball was a classmate of Dr. Naismith at Springfield College, then the YMCA Training School, graduating with Naismith in 1891. William Ball also acted for many years as the Alumni contact for the Class of 1891. Stagg graduated in 1891 and served as an assistant physical education instructor at Springfield College from 1890-1892. He started the football program at Springfield College and played in one of the first public basketball game, being the only faculty member to score a "basket ball goal" in their 5 to 1 loss to the students. His football teams at Springfield College were known as "Stagg's Eleven" or the "Stubby Christians". During the two years he coached and played football at Springfield College, the "Stubby Christians" went 10-11-1 and played in one of the first indoor football games in Madison Square Garden against the Yale Consolidated team on December 12, 1890. In a career spanning more than 50 years, Stagg came to be known as the "Grand Old Man of Football". He coached football at the University of Chicago (Chicago, Ill.) from 1892-1932 and at the College of the Pacific from 1933 until his retirement in 1946. Over his career he won 314 games. Amos Alonzo Stagg died in 1965 at the age of 102.
