Biography of Dr. James Naismith

Dr. James Naismith is known to be the creator of basketball, one of the very popular games played across the globe. A physical instructor by profession, his interest in spiritual matters and quest for related knowledge led him to take up courses in theology and medicine. He was a down-to-earth, modest man who was interested in imparting moral education through physical education.

Early Life, Education and Career

Dr. James Naismith was born near Almonte, Ontario, Canada, on November 6, 1861. When he was barely 9 years old, his parents, John and Margaret Naismith passed away in a typhoid epidemic. He, along with his siblings lived with their maternal grandmother. After her death, they were brought up by their maternal uncle, Peter Young.

Naismith liked to work in the family fields and woods, while he was at school. He went to Almonte High School, but dropped out after 2 years, to work at a lumber camp, as his athletic abilities were greater than his academic skills. However, after a 5-year break, he joined school again and completed his secondary education. He earned a B.A in physical education at the McGill University in Montreal and later took up a degree course at the Presbyterian College of Theology, with an aim to become a clergyman.

James was immensely interested in sports since the time of his childhood. Although, not very bright in academics, he was known as a smart boy and was the leader amongst his peers. He continued taking part in athletics even while pursuing higher studies. Some of the games he played during his college years were football and lacrosse. His keen interest in athletics made him give up the idea of becoming a clergyman and led him to pursue a career as a physical instructor at McGill. In 1980, he moved to America for a two-year course at the YMCA International Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. After completing the course, he continued at the same place as a physical instructor. It was here that the game of basketball was born.

In 1895, Naismith enrolled for a medical degree at the University of Colorado Medical School in Denver. While pursuing medical studies, he also worked as physical director at YMCA, Denver.

In 1898, Dr. James Naismith joined Kansas University as a basketball coach, physical education instructor and chapel director. He worked there for 40 years, retiring at the age of 76.

Invention of Basketball

In 1891, while at Springfield College (then known as YMCA Training School), James Naismith was asked to invent a game that could be played indoors. The main purpose of creating a new game was to provide physical exercise to the students during long winters and also to control their rowdy behavior that resulted from their confinement. Naismith observed that the already existing games like football, soccer, rugby and lacrosse were rough games, and thought of creating a game that was vigorous and at the same time, clear and fair for the players.

Dr. Naismith used the soft ball of soccer and fixed two peach baskets, ten feet above the ground, at the two ends of the college gymnasium. The students were permitted to use only their hands to pass the ball between their team members and had to drop the ball into the basket, to score a goal. He named the game 'basketball' and came up with 13 basic rules of basketball. The first game of basketball was played at the college gymnasium in December, 1891. Initially, this game did not receive much enthusiasm from the students, but it soon gained popularity. It was proposed that this new game be called Naismith ball, but, being modest, he rejected the idea and the game came to be known as basketball. It is said that in laying down the rules of the game, Naismith was inspired by a childhood game called 'Duck on a Rock'.

Since the day of its inception, basketball has evolved to become an international sport, played and enjoyed by millions. The original peach baskets were replaced by a wire cylinder, and almost after a decade, the basketball net that we see today, was brought in. Passing the ball with hands was changed into dribbling or bouncing the ball up and down, and many additional rules were added to the game. The game as of now, is played both indoors and outdoors.

Dr. Naismith wanted games to be played for fun and exercise and not with an unhealthy competitive spirit. He strongly believed that spirituality could be achieved through physical education. He wrote several articles on his views on physical education, in magazines and also published two books, 'The Basis of Clean Living' and 'Basketball: Its Origin and Development'. He received a lot of criticism for his interest in games from clergymen who felt that theology did not go with sports, but he was firm on his beliefs.

Basketball gained world-wide popularity and was introduced at the Berlin Olympics in 1936. Naismith was invited for this event and he also gave out medals to the winning teams. He is believed to have said that watching basketball being played internationally was the biggest reward that he got for his invention.

Personal Life

Dr. Naismith married Maude Evelyn Sherman at Springfield in the year 1894. They had five children; 3 girls (Margaret Mason, Helen Carolyn and Maude Ann) and 2 boys (John Edwin and James Sherman). He obtained American citizenship in 1925. After his first wife died in 1937, Dr. Naismith remarried a widow friend, Florence Kincaid in 1939. However, this marriage was short-lived because Naismith died on November 28, the same year, due to brain hemorrhage.

Dr. James Naismith has been honored with the opening of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He is also recognized by the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame, Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame and FIBA Hall of Fame. His contribution to the world of sports has earned him the title, 'father of basketball' and he continues to inspire many.