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James Naismith: The History Behind March Madness

Created on Mar 15, 2018 by Kathy Pinna

Didn't we all play basketball in school? It used to be mandatory in grade school for girls and boys to participate in P.E., which often included playing a game or two.

So it makes sense that the game was invented by a Canadian P.E. teacher named James Naismith a little over 100 years ago.

His first equipment was a pretty rudimentary: a soccer ball and two peach baskets closed at the bottom. This was enough to engage his students and keep them indoors during the rainy season.

Of course the sport of basketball evolved, and college tournaments - now called March Madness - came along in 1939 when basketball was about 40 years old.

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Photo History of Basketball

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Catholic University, 1920

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College Tournaments The first recorded college basketball game was between Hamline College and Minnesota A&M in 1895 (Minnesota won). By 1900, colleges across the U.S. were playing basketball. After the NCAA took over college games in 1909, basketball really took off and the first NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament was started in 1939 - the University of Oregon beat Ohio State, 46 to 33 - and so began what we call "March Madness" today.

Friends Select School, circa 1920

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1908 basketball on horseback

Yeah, that took off - not!
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1940 scoreboard

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Early 20th century basketball may not have looked as slick - and the players as buff - as today, but it was still fun to watch! Check out this 1932 Basketball match:

Basketball has a fascinating history - and some interesting fashions for the girls. Really, how did they play in those long skirts?

Have photos that you'd like to see included? Share your photos or discover photos of football in the early 20th century on the next page.

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