NEWS

From: National Council Y. M. C. A.’s
347 Madison Ave., New York City
Public Relations Office

 

NEW YORK, Feb. XX -- If a football teammate hadn't apologized
for swearing in his presence, the Lave Drs James Naismith might never have forsaken
the ministry for athletics, and would not have invented basketball.

This story was revealed here today with the publication of
"Basketball -- Its Origin and Development" by the Association Press. In it Dr.
Naismith tells the story of his childhood in northern Ontario, of the seven years
spent studying theology at McGill University, and how he invented basketball to
occupy his restless gymnasium class at the International Y.M.C.A. Training School
at Springfield, Mass.

The book is published as the first major event on the Y.]M.C.A.'s
program to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the invention of basketball. Under
plans being made by the Y.]M.C.A. the season of 1941-42 will be celebrated as the
Golden Anniversary of the sport, with Y.M.C.A.'s, schools,.colleges and athletic
associations participating. The book is unique in that it tells the story of a
great national game by the man who founded it.

When his teammate apologized for his colorful language, young
Naismith was surprised, and, we suspect, more than a little disturbed. He dis-
cussed the matter with a Y.M.C.A. secretary, and in the course of their conversa-
tion stated his belief that there might be other ways of deing good besides
preaching. This led to Naismith's interest in Y.M.C.A. work and his going to
Springfield College.

While ‘the unexpected apology for swearing caused Naismith to
enter "Y" work and invent basketball, the i game of "Duck on the Rock" had
a great deal to do with its final form. When working out the details of his
invention, Naismith ruled out a vertical goal such as used in lacrosse because
the harder the ball is thrown the more chances it has of scoring a goal. He
feared this would lead to roughness. He recalled that as a boy the most effective

shots in "Duck on the Rock" were high, easy threws in which the stone arched to

its goal.

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