I-435 West KC-KS in Kansas City in Wyandotte County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Dr. James Naismith

Father of Basketball

— University of Kansas —

Dr. James Naismith Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

1. Dr. James Naismith Marker

Inscription. Dr. James Naismith was born November 6, 1861, near Almonte, Ontario, Canada. While working as a physical education instructor at a YMCA International Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, Naismith sought to relieve winter gym class doldrums and invented basketball with its 13 original rules. He moved to the University of Kansas in 1898 and served as professor, university physician, and the school's first basketball coach. Ironically, Naismith was the only Kansas coach with a losing record during his tenure.

Erected by Legends Outlets.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is November 6, 1861.

Location. 39° 7.583′ N, 94° 49.598′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Kansas, in Wyandotte County. It is in I-435 West KC-KS. Marker can be reached from Village West Parkway. Marker can be reached from Village West Parkway. Marker is on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets shopping/entertainment complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1843 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City KS 66109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gerald Roberts (a few steps from this marker); Jess Willard (a few steps from this marker); Gale Eugene Sayers (a few steps from this marker);

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Buck O'Neil (a few steps from this marker); Kansas Runners Dominate the 1500-meter Run (a few steps from this marker); Lynette Woodard (within shouting distance of this marker); Maurice Greene (within shouting distance of this marker); Adolph F. Rupp (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kansas City.

More about this marker. This is one of several sidewalk plaques placed on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets shopping/entertainment complex, which highlight notable people and inventions that came from the state of Kansas.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

2. Dr. James Naismith Marker

Marker is on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets complex.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 93 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 22, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.