McKnight in Springfield in Hampden County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Springfield College
Photographed by Conrad Ward, March 9, 2025
1. Springfield College Marker
Springfield College
Springfield College has always been a private and independent institution, even though at various points in its early history the College's official name made reference to the YMCA. The College has maintained a close working relationship with the YMCA movement, and it is designated as a premier Leadership Development Center for the YMCA of the USA.
James Naismith is Springfield College's most famous son. Naismith and his accomplishments are memorialized throughout the campus he knew and loved.
Two others were prominent participants in the early days of basketball:
- Luther Halsey Gulick, Naismith's supervisor, is known as the father of physical education and recreation in the United States and the creator of the spirit-mind-body triangle still used today by both Springfield College and the YMCA.
- Amos Alonzo Stagg, Naismith's facultycolleague and a participant in early basketball games, was also a master football strategist still remembered as the grand old man of college football.
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All three men are charter members of Naismith Mempohil Basketball Hall of Fame.
"Educating students in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to humanity."
Erected 2010.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.
Location. 42° 6.644′ N, 72° 33.958′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Massachusetts, in Hampden County. It is in McKnight. It is at the intersection of State Street and Hawley Street, on the right when traveling east on State Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 761 State St, Springfield MA 01109, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Massachusetts’ Knowledge Corridor and in Pioneer Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically,
Photographed by Conrad Ward, March 9, 2025
2. Springfield College Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Original Site (here, next to this marker); The Challenge to James Naismith (a few steps from this marker); Growth of the Game (a few steps from this marker); Mason Square Viet Nam Memorial (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Winchester Square District World War II Memorial (about 500 feet away); The Buckingham Cornerstone (about 600 feet away); Leonard A. Corbin (about 700 feet away); Shays Rebellion (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.
Another marker is no longer nearby. The First Game of Basketball (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . .
1. Springfield College. (Submitted on November 24, 2025, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Springfield College (Wikipedia). (Submitted on November 16, 2025.)
3. James Naismith (Wikipedia). (Submitted on November 16, 2025.)
4. Luther Gulick (Wikipedia). (Submitted on November 16, 2025.)
5. Amos Alonzo Stagg (Wikipedia). (Submitted on November 16, 2025.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 72 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on November 24, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 16, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
