James Naismith's Resume

James Naismith's original résumé prepared by Hellen Naismith Dodd, January 6, 1959

James Naismith

Born: November 6, 1861 in Almonte, Ontario, Canada

Died: November 28, 1939 in Lawrence, Kansas

Height: 5-foot-10 1/2, Weight: 168-180

Naturalized: May 4, 1925 OBJECTIVE

To create an indoor game that would provide an "athletic distraction" for a rowdy class through the brutal New England winter. Under orders from Dr. Luther Gulick, head of physical education at the School for Christian Workers (now Springfield College), Naismith had 14 days to create a game for a group of 18 students who were training to become executive secretaries. EXPERIENCE

University of Kansas

Professor of Physical Education, 1917-1937 University of Kansas

Professor and University Physician, 1909-1917 University of Kansas

First Basketball Coach, 1898-1907 University of Kansas

Associate Professor and Chapel Director, 1898-1909 YMCA of Denver

Instructor in Physical Education, 1895-1898 Springfield College

Instructor in Physical Education, 1890-1895 McGill University

Instructor in Physical Education, 1887-1890

EDUCATION

McGill University, Quebec, Canada

Doctor of Divinity, 1939 University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

Ordained Presbyterian Minister, 1915 University of Kansas

Master of Physical Education, 1910 University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado

Gross Medical School

1895-1898 Y.M.C.A. Training School, Springfield, Massachusetts, 1890-1895 Four-year football player; captain, 1892

Assistant Coach

Ed Tarbell Medallion, one of first four to receive award

Awarded "S" sweater from Springfield College

Wore the first football headgear (1890), Springfield College

Listed in "Who's Who" in Athletics Presbyterian College

Thool Seminary, 1887-1890

Silver medal (1890), second highest award for regular and special honor work in Theology

Activities: soccer, rugby, track, lacrosse, tumbling, drilled with Royal Scots McGill University, B.A., 1883-1887

Gold Wickstead Medal (1887), Best All-Around Athlete

Silver Cup (1886), first prize for one-mile walk

Silver Wickstead Medal (1885), Best All-Around Athlete

Awarded one of McGill's first varsity letters

Activities: soccer, rugby, track, lacrosse, tumbling, drilled with Royal Scots Almonte High School, Ontario, Canada, 1875-1877, 1881-1883

Dropped out for four years, re-entered and graduated Bennie's Corner Grade School, Ontario, Canada, 1867-1875 Military Service

Y.M.C.A. program, lecturer of Moral Conditions and Sex Education, 1917-1919

Chaplain, First Kansas Infantry on Mexican Border, 1916

Chaplain/Captain, First Kansas Infantry, 1914-1917 Organizations/Hobbies/Marital Status Pi Gamma Mu, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Mason

Camping, Canoeing, Woodwork

Author of numerous basketball articles, including Basket Ball Guides (1892-1895) and the History of Basket Ball

Married Maude E. Sherman (1894) in Springfield, Mass.

Maude Naismith passed away on March 3, 1937; re-married Florence Kincaid, June 11, 1939

Five children with Maude: Margaret (1895), Hellen (1897), John (1900), Maude (1904) and James (1913)

Elected to American Academy of Physical Education (1941) posthumously.

Sent to Berlin, Germany to introduce Basket Ball into the Olympic program (1936) Copyright © 2000 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.