Springfield College
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Springfield College is a college located in Springfield, Massachusetts. It is located upon Watershops Pond, approximately two miles from downtown. There are two main sections to the campus, though not connected, and eight sites around the United States that offer courses, especially in the School of Human Services. Springfield College was first located on the second floor of the Armory Hill YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts as the International Young Men's Christian Training School. Just a few years after opening its doors to the first eighteen students in 1885, Springfield College could boast an international reputation as a pioneer in teaching and scholarship related to physical education, sports medicine, physical therapy, physiology of exercise, biomechanics, wellness, the training of YMCA executives, and many other fields. Today, Springfield College's undergraduate and graduate student body numbers more than 5,000.
[edit] History
Springfield College originated as a training school for YMCA professionals. Springfield College's 36,000 alumni work in 60 nations. Alumni have served in various capacities, such as a university president in China, initiators of the Olympic movement in Eastern European countries, and educational leaders in Central and South America. They have started shelters for the homeless in rural Vermont, and have changed the field of sports medicine. Wherever they work or live, Springfield College alumni become vital links in a human chain that makes a difference in the quality of people's lives and leads to impressive achievements.
The mission of Springfield College is to educate students in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to humanity by building upon a foundation of Humanics and academic excellence.
Founded in 1885, Springfield College is a private, coeducational institution that emphasizes the education of leaders for the allied health sciences, human and social services, sports movement activities, and the arts and sciences. Undergraduate and graduate programs reflect its distinctive Humanics philosophy—education of the whole person in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others.
It is world renowned as the Birthplace of Basketball, a game created by alumnus and faculty member James Naismith in 1891; and as the alma mater of William G. Morgan, inventor of the game of volleyball; as well as for its long-standing and close relationship with the YMCA.
Benedum Field serves as the College's main athletic field. The baseball team plays at Berry-Allen Field.
In 2006 and 2007, the school will host the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Final Four.
The Springfield College Women's Basketball team of 2004-2005, made school history, making the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division 3 basketball tournament.
Women's basketball, coached by Noami Graves, has won several conference tournament championships, including the previous season of 2006.
[edit] Famous people
- Dr. James Naismith - faculty member, invented basketball in 1891.
- Dr. Luther Gulick - Basketball Hall of Fame member.
- Dr. Peter Karpovich - faculty member, founder of American College of Sports Medicine and historical researcher in physiology of exercise and movement science.
- Dr. Tom Waddell - alumnus, physician and founder of Gay Games.
- Mark J. Carron (attended) - did not graduate; member of the Mass. House of Representatives (served 1999 - present)
- Raymond Castellani - did not graduate; actor, activist on Los Angeles' Skid Row
- Don Ho - Hawaiian musician and entertainer (attended for one year).
- Archie Moore - former Major League Baseball player.
- John Cena - World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Wrestling Superstar, was a college football star, a team captain and All-American center, earned a degree in exercise physiology.
- Glenn F. H. Warner - All American soccer player - Coached at USNA - NCAA Champions 1964 - NSCA Hall of Fame member - graduated 1933
- Justin Franczek - played in the NCAA Golf Championships - teaches algebra at Xavier High School in Middletown, CT
[edit] External links
- Springfield College official website
- Springfield College Chemistry/Biology Department
- Springfield College Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Department
- Springfield College Sport Management Physical Therapy, Physical Education, Physiology of Exercise, Movement Sciences and Recreation Department
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