Springfield College (Massachusetts)





Springfield College is a private college located in Springfield, Massachusetts.

History
It was founded in 1885 as the Young Men's Christian Association department of the School for Christian Workers in Springfield, the school originally specialized in preparing young men to become General Secretaries of YMCA organizations in a two-year program. In 1887, it added a Physical (i.e., physical education) department. In 1890, it separated from the School for Christian Workers and became the YMCA Training School and in 1891, the International Young Men's Christian Association Training School.

In 1905, the school became a degree-granting institution.

In 1912, it took the name International YMCA College and in 1954, Springfield College.

The school is best known as the "Birthplace of Basketball" which was created by alumnus and faculty member James Naismith is 1891. The college was the original home of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame from 1968 to 1985 until a new facility was built along the Connecticut River in downtown Springfield.

Ice Hockey
The college participated in men's ice hockey from at least the 1903-04 to 1919-20 seasons.

Most of the information that is known about the program is from the record books of the other universities that participated also in ice hockey in the early part of the 20th century. No direct information on the overall record of the team appear to exist.

During this period the team would have gone under the names YMCA College Gymnasts or YMCA College Maroons. The athletic teams the Chiefs from 1968 to 1994 and have since been known as the Springfield College Pride. The university does not presently offer ice hockey for either men or women at either the varsity or club level.