The YMCA is the place of rich history of the past that also focuses on maintaining the health of the present.
The game of basketball was invented by Dr. James Naismith. Naismith had been asked to invent a new game while studying at the YMCA International Training school in Springfield Massachusetts (later named Springfield College).
This indoor game had to be easy to learn and interesting to play. The original basketball game was played with a soccer ball and two peach baskets nailed into the balcony of the Springfield YMCA.
Later, a ‘Y’ a teacher himself, William Morgan from Holyoke, Mass., wanted to invent a game for older players. He borrowed a tennis net, raised it 6′ 6″ above the floor, and called the game “mintonette.” The game focused on volleying a large ball over the net. With that, an observer went to William Morgan one day and asked him why the game wasn’t called volleyball.
After volleyball was created, the ‘Y’ went on to invent another popular sport, racquetball.
We can all be thankful to the ‘Y’ for inventing those sports. But, know that the ‘Y’ is more than the hub of sports creations.
Today, the organization supports and educates young athletes and offers programs of all kinds to people all over the world.
Here’s how diverse the ‘Y’ is today when it comes to public amenities.
