The Creators of Women's Basketball

The Creators of Women’s Basketball

There are some people in this world that need no introduction, and in my opinion both James Naismith and Senda Berenson should be two of those people. Unfortunately a lot of people do not know who they are but my goal is to show you the legendary impact they have had on the world of sports, and more specifically, basketball.

Dr. James Naismith was born on November 6, 1861, and was a Canadian-American physical educator who added to the world of sports.1 His title was a physical educator but he was much more than that. He was an innovator that used a cold winter in Massachusetts to create what some believe to be the best sport; basketball. Naismith was someone we would refer to as a “handy man” today; he could do it all. His job was a “physical educator” but he was one of the best because his title didn’t limit him. Naismith was way more than just a physical educator; he was a physician, chaplain, and sports coach. As a physical educator we know that using all of your knowledge, creativity and resources are key in being successful in a classroom. Who would have thought that a cold winter with a soccer ball, 2 peach baskets , and a ladder could eventually turn into one of the greatest games in the world? Not a lot of people, but Naismith was trying to find any way possible to get his men’s class active when the weather was too cold to go outside. He used his innovative mind and limited resources  to create the game of basketball.

When the game of basketball was invented women of that time did not participate in team sports that were viewed as too strenuous. they only participated in individual sports that were not as taxing on the body. Senda Berenson, also known as the mother of basketball, rightfully believed that women were far more capable of such strenuous activities than people thought. Senda read about the new game created by Naismith, attended a physical education conference at Yale University and observed the game being played  to understand what the game of basketball was all about.2 After learning about the great game she decided she wanted to adopt the sport for a healthy lifestyle for her girls PE class. She had the privilege of meeting the game’s inventor, Dr. James Naismith, and received his encouragement to adopt the sport for her female class.3 Berenson’s courage, strength, and determination took one of the greatest sports and made it available to women. She isn’t just a hero in the eyes of basketball she is a hero in women's rights and equality as well.

References

1. McCuaig, D. S. (n.d.). Basketball : A YMCA Invention. Retrieved September 29, 2016, from http://www.ymca.int/who-we-are/history/basketball-a-ymca-invention/

2.  I. (n.d.). Senda Berenson Abbott - Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 29,         2016, from http://www.wbhof.com/Berenson.html

3. Stillman, Agnes CoraRuth.  Senda Berenson Abbott: Her Life and Contributions to Smith College and to the Physical Education Profession.  Thesis (M.S.), Smith College, 1971.