The 1941 50th celebration painting of Dr. James Naismith
Description:
This a photograph of four men and the 1941 painting or print of Dr. James Naismith that was used for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the creation of the game of Basketball. There are two men on either side of the framed portrait. Two of the men are holding the portrait. The one on the right, wearing the glasses, is Edward J. Hickox. The painting or print, hard to tell in this photograph, was used during the 50th Anniversary celebration of the creation of the game of Basketball and appears on stamps, programs, and other printed materials from that time.
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.
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Edward Hickox graduated from Springfield College in 1914, and in 1926 began his sixteen-year career coaching the men’s basketball team (compiling a 209-85 record). He also served as director of athletics and on the National Basketball Rules Committee. Hickox was also a charter member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. In 1949, he volunteered to be the executive secretary of the then-nonexistent basketball hall of fame. His contributions laid the groundwork for building the first Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, located on the campus of Springfield College. Unfortunately, Hickox, who died in 1966, did not live to see the building’s opening, which took place two years later.
