Dr. James Naismith

James Naismith was born on November 6, 1861, in Almonte, Ontario, Canada, to Scottish immigrants John and Margaret Naismith. Tragically, he was orphaned at the age of nine when both parents succumbed to typhoid fever. Following their deaths, Naismith and his siblings were raised by their maternal grandmother and later by their uncle, Peter Young, in nearby Bennie’s Corners

During his youth, Naismith attended grade school in Bennie’s Corners and later enrolled at Almonte High School. He was an active child, engaging in various outdoor games, including “duck on a rock,” a medieval game that involved knocking a large stone off a larger base rock by throwing smaller stones. This game required a soft, lobbing throw, a technique that would later influence his development of basketball.

In 1883, Naismith entered McGill University in Montreal, where he excelled in multiple sports, including football, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, and gymnastics. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education in 1888 and continued his studies at the Presbyterian College in Montreal, obtaining a diploma in 1890. After serving as McGill’s first director of athletics, Naismith moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, to attend the YMCA International Training School.

The new game quickly gained popularity, spreading across the United States and internationally through the YMCA network. In 1898, Naismith joined the University of Kansas as a faculty member, where he initiated the university’s basketball program. Notably, he is the only coach in the university’s history with a losing record, as he prioritized personal development and character building over winning.