August 8, 2006
ROMNEY SIGNS BILL MAKING BASKETBALL THE OFFICIAL SPORT
Governor Mitt Romney today signed legislation initiated by a group of elementary school students recognizing basketball as the “Official Sport of the Commonwealth.” Massachusetts is the birthplace of basketball and home to the sport’s National Hall of Fame in Springfield.
“The game of basketball was invented here and has an important place in Massachusetts history,” said Romney. “I’m proud of these young students, and proud the great game of basketball comes from here.”
The legislation was proposed by a group of fourth grade students from the Joseph P. Mulready School in Hudson following a field trip to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The students asked their local legislators to file a bill making basketball the official state sport.
“It was a wonderful experience working with the students from the Mulready School,” said Senator Pam Resor, co-sponsor of the bill. “They worked hard on their committee testimony, lobbied members of the House and Senate and learned a lesson on how bills are passed in Massachusetts.”
“I am always glad to help schoolchildren learn more about the legislative process,” said Representative Patricia A. Walrath, who jointly filed the legislation. “I am happy that they have seen the culmination of their efforts.”
Massachusetts is also home to the16 time world champion Boston Celtics. The Celtics have won more titles than any other team in NBA history, including 8 consecutive championships between 1959 and 1966.
“Massachusetts is known worldwide as the birthplace of basketball and the Celtics are proud ambassadors of the sport. Some of the game's greatest players and finest teams have played here, coached by perhaps the greatest coach of all, Red Auerbach,” said Celtics Managing Partner and CEO, Wyc Grousbeck. “Our organization is committed to promoting goodwill and helping needy children through basketball, and we are extremely proud to see this day.”
“This is an extremely proud day for the great game of basketball,” said Basketball Hall of Fame President and CEO John L. Doleva. “The immense global popularity of the sport is a tribute to basketball’s appeal to players of all ages, abilities and backgrounds – and it is fitting that the Commonwealth celebrate its place in history as the birthplace of basketball.”
Dr. James Naismith invented basketball in 1891 while serving as an instructor at the Young Men’s Christian Association Training School in Springfield. Naismith developed the rules of the game as he worked to create a winter exercise for students at the YMCA. The sport acquired its name from the peach “baskets” used in its inaugural competition.
On February 17, 1968, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame opened its doors, drawing tourists from around the world.
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