Cradle of Basketball Fast Facts

No other city in the world can boast an array of basketball history like Lawrence, Kansas.

• Dr. James Naismith
  • Invented the game of basketball on December 21, 1891, to fill the need for an indoor winter sport.
  • In 1898, he brought the sport to the University of Kansas and became the school’s first basketball coach.
  • The court in Allen Fieldhouse is officially James Naismith Court.
  • “The Father of Basketball”
• Forrest C. “Phog” Allen
  • Became KU’s second basketball coach when he replaced Naismith in 1908.
  • Allen served for 39 seasons at KU.
  • To date, Phog Allen is the fourth most successful coach in the history of college basketball and KU’s winningest coach of all time. 
  • He was instrumental in bringing basketball to the Olympic games.
  • Naismith reportedly coined Allen the “father of basketball coaching”.
  • It is in reference to this beloved coach that his statue stands in front of the Fieldhouse that bears his name, and Jayhawk fans warn opponents to “Beware of the Phog.”
• Allen Fieldhouse
  • Ranked in the “Sweet 16 of College Basketball Venues” by The Travel Channel… https://www.travelchannel.com/interests/sports/photos/sweet-16-col
  • “Best Must-See Stadium in North America” – USA Today Reader’s Choice winner… http://www.10best.com/interests/outdoor-adventures/readers-choice-winners-this-is-the-best-of-sports/
  • Holds the Guinness World Record for “Loudest Crowd Roar at a Sports Stadium (Indoors) – 2/13/17 vs. West Virginia – 130.4 Decibels
• Booth Hall of Athletics
  • The Booth Family Hall of Athletics is a 19,335-square-foot museum adjacent to the east side of Allen Fieldhouse. 
  • The Hall honors KU's historic athletics programs, its coaches, and student-athletes, past and present.
• DeBruce Center
  • A unique facility that explores the rich history of basketball
  • Home of Dr. Naismith’s original “Rules of Basket Ball”
  • Next door to Allen Fieldhouse
• Find more Cradle of Basketball info at: https://www.explorelawrence.com/things-to-do/attractions/cradle-of-basketball/
• The Jayhawk Experience http://jayhawkexperience.com/
  • Guided tours of University of Kansas Athletics facilities, including Allen Fieldhouse