Kenneth Spencer Research Library Blog » Throwback Thursday: “Welcome, James Naismith” Edition

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Throwback Thursday: “Welcome, James Naismith” Edition

Each week we’ll be posting a photograph from University Archives that shows a scene from KU’s past. We’ve also scanned more than 34,800 images from KU’s University Archives and made them available online; be sure to check them out!

Next Monday marks the anniversary of James Naismith‘s first faculty appointment at the University of Kansas. The minutes of the Board of Regents meeting that took place on June 7, 1898, include this passage: “Upon recommendation of the committee on Instruction James Naismith M.D. was appointed to the chair of Associate Professor of Physical Culture and Chapel Director.” This appointment came six years after Naismith drafted the first official rules of basketball. The men’s basketball program officially began following Naismith’s arrival in 1898, and he became the team’s first coach.

Photograph of the Kansas Board of Regents meeting minutes, June 7, 1898 — The section of the Board of Regents meeting dealing with James Naismith‘s appointment, June 7, 1898. University Archives. Call Number: RG 1/2 1889-1907: Kansas Board of Regents: Minutes. Click image to enlarge.

Caitlin Klepper
Head of Public Services

Tags: Basketball, Board of Regents, Caitlin Donnelly, James Naismith, KU Basketball, KU History, Throwback Thursday, University Archives, University history, University of Kansas

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 3rd, 2021 at 10:38 am and is filed under Throwback Thursday. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.