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multigraincracker

(34,304 posts)
Tue Apr 5, 2022, 01:48 PM Apr 2022

Back when I got a standing ovation at the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Well, kind of, but a true story.
I was staying at the motel across the parking lot from the James Naismith Basketball Hall of fame back in 2009, about this time of year. I was there to watch the college team I followed that whole season, the Findlay Oilers. They set a record that may never be topped. They went 36 and 0 for the year and won the Division II Championship.
The day before, I went over for the tour of the Hall of Fame. I can't remember his name, but some tall retired pro was taking us around. Out on the court he asked if someone would like to shoot a free throw, I said sure, took one shot and nailed it. Asked if I'd like to try another, I said no, hadn't shot a free throw in over 30 yeas so it was all luck. I did shoot 100% from the line that day.
I pulled him over and told him I have story for him. I told him my mother attend school at the University of Kansas in the early 30s. She was told she had to take a gym class so she signed up for fencing. Her instructor was Dr. James Naismith.
Well, he kind of freaked out and called all of the employees over to meet me and told them about my mother. Standing there, they all applauded me.
He was the man that invented the game of basketball and used a peach basket in that first game.

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Back when I got a standing ovation at the Basketball Hall of Fame. (Original Post) multigraincracker Apr 2022 OP
James Naismith, the first basketball coach at the University of Kansas, DURHAM D Apr 2022 #1
About 1930 or 31 and he multigraincracker Apr 2022 #2
Several years ago I was DURHAM D Apr 2022 #3
If you are ever in that part of Mass. stop in multigraincracker Apr 2022 #4

DURHAM D

(32,853 posts)
1. James Naismith, the first basketball coach at the University of Kansas,
Tue Apr 5, 2022, 02:02 PM
Apr 2022

was the only KU head coach to have a losing record. Didn't know he taught fencing. Cool

DURHAM D

(32,853 posts)
3. Several years ago I was
Tue Apr 5, 2022, 03:08 PM
Apr 2022

vacationing at the beach - east coast. I met the couple renting the house next door - her last name was Naismith. I asked her if she was related to James Nasmith. She was stunned as I guess this is not a question she gets very often. She was his great granddaughter. The man who was with her until that moment had never heard of James Naismith.

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