This is a small photographic print showing Dr. James Naismith shooting a basketball in Judd Gymnasium on the campus of Springfield College during one of his visits back to his Alma Mater. Three Springfield College basketball players are seen standing behind him. Behind the backboard is the running track for the gym. It is not sure if this is East or West Gymnasium.
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James A. Naismith (November 6, 1861 – November 28, 1939), known as "The Father of Basketball," was born in Almonte, Ontario. When he was nine, both of his parents died of typhoid fever. He was raised by his uncle, who later financed Naismith's way through college. He earned his theological degree from McGill University and graduated from Springfield College, then named the YMCA Training School, in 1891. After graduation, he was hired as a faculty member, where he taught for five years. It was during his first year as a faculty member at Springfield College that he created the game of Basketball as an activity for an unruly class. In 1895, Naismith enrolled at the Gross Medical School in Denver. He received his M.D. in 1898 and, in that same year, took the position of department head of physical education at the University of Kansas. He remained there until his death.
