DR. JAMES NAISMITH
By Dr. Forrest ©. Allen, Director of Physical Education

and Varsity Basketball Coach, University of Kansas,
Lawrence, Kansas.

Frederick Froebel, a poor, unhappy German boy gave to the world
the theory of the kindergarten - education through play. Dr. Naismith, an
orphan boy at eight, gave to the youth basketball, ‘ game that takes the
youngster from the eighth grade to maturity. Doubtless the poverty of play
in a youth's life so emphasizes the need of play that these youths like
Neismith and Froebel are able to prescribe for the world plays and games
that are "necessary for men in order to refresh himself after labor? And to
"flee from eupty idleness to active recreation in pley". ‘This is why the
heart of youth goes out into play as into nothing else, as if in it man
remembered a lost paradise. .

Eight nationally known educators, speaking from the same platform,
declared that basketball had all the qualities necessary to teach the educable
child: poise, rhythn, erase, coordination, development of skills and develop-
ment of a vigor. The speakers were not competitive coaches, nor were
they athletes. This game, the only international game that is the produat of
one man's brain, stamps Dr. Waisnith ag @ great educator, a kindly natn totem,
and a practical Christian. He loved youth. He and his classmate, Alonzo Stagg,
both working together, chose the profession of physical education over the
ministry, in which they were ordained, because they felt they could do more
for youth. The youth of the world will arise and call Dr. Naismith blessed.

The game of basketball was originated in 1891 by Dr. Naismith at
Springfield Y.M.C.A. College to fill the need of a winter sport. Two old peach
baskets, @ soccer ball and thirteen rules were the original equipment of the
game which has spread around the world, and was played in the 1956 Olympics in
Berline A photostatic copy of the original rules hangs in my office, and the
original copy of the rules is possessed by the Naismith heirs. At the bottom