Boys, Basketball & Belief!!

James Naismith was a physical education instructor at the international YMCA training school in Springfield, MA during the late nineteenth century. When the winter of 1891 turned especially cold - James had the task of creating an indoor activity that promoted teamwork and exercise for young men.

Naismith proceeded to create a challenging and competitive game that was fast moving and had minimum contact. He nailed two peach baskets onto the wall of the gym. He created two teams of nine men each and gave them a soccer ball. Interestingly, they were not supposed to kick the ball, but instead could only touch the ball with their hands. The team with the ball had the objective of shooting the ball into one of the baskets.

At age 30 James Naismith had created the game of basketball. Geneva College and the University of Iowa played the first official basketball game. The game swept through the nation. Naismith’s rule were written down and adopted. Some refinements to the game were made. Basketball is an American game!

James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, eventually took his talents to Kansas University in Lawrence, KS. KU is well known as a basketball powerhouse or “blue blood.” Some of the games greatest players (Wilt Chamberlain, Jo Jo White, Paul Pierce, Danny Manning and more) and greatest coaches (Phog Allen, Roy Williams, Bill Self and more) have been part of the fierce basketball tradition at KU.

Kansas University’s nickname or mascot is the Jayhawks. This is in reference to the Jayhawkers who fought against the red-boots during the Civil War. The schools mascot is a Jayhawk bird. The Jayhawk bird logo is on shirts, mugs and more that I own.

Back to Naismith…he also served as a military chaplain. The inventor of basketball had a love of God and people that compelled him to serve. When he invented the game of basketball he was trying to teach young men selflessness, discipline, humility and hard work. He taught values found in biblical Christianity. His desire was to positively impact others by coaching, mentoring, teaching, encouraging, etc.

As an ordained Presbyterian minister, James Naismith, loved Jesus and loved being a Jayhawk! He is buried, not in Springfield, MA, but in Lawrence, KS. There is a statue in Lawrence honoring Naismith and his impact on basketball and our country.

We are made of body, mind and spirit. We also have the privilege of giving God and others our all each day. Today, you can choose to live honorably in service to God. The world will continue to distract you from that possibility. Your own selfishness will tend to lead to pursue only what makes you happy.

Take a page out of Naismith’s book…live a life of service. Live humbly and honorably. Build others up. Don’t tear them down. Find those who are lonely and hurting - bring life and hope to them. Encourage those who are discouraged. Follow the path to successful or right living by following the steps of James Naismith - who followed the steps of Jesus Christ.

Oh, by the way…did I mention the Kansas University Jayhawks just won their fourth National Championship in April 2022. Go Jayhawks!

Bruce