YMCA of School for Christian Workers in Springfield (1885–1891) International Young Men's Christian Association Training School (1891–1912) International YMCA College (1912–1954)
Historic postcard: Springfield CollegeHistoric postcard: Aerial view of Springfield College
Springfield College, located in Springfield, Massachusetts, is a private university notable for its historical significance as the birthplace of basketball.[4] In 1891, Canadian-American instructor James Naismith invented the sport on campus.[5] The institution's philosophy, termed "humanics," underscores the importance of educating individuals in mind, body, and spirit to cultivate leadership abilities geared towards serving others.[6]
History
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 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.[7] In 1912, it took the name International YMCA College and in 1954, Springfield College.[8]
Archives
Since 1999, the institutional archives have included archival material from the Society of Health and Physical Educators and some of its affiliates, including the papers of their leaders.[9]
Springfield College offers bachelor's degrees in more than 40 majors, master's degrees in several fields, and doctoral programs in counseling psychology, physical therapy, and physical education. The student-to-faculty member ratio is 11 to 1.[11]
The institution comprises four schools.[12] The School of Arts and Sciences grants degrees in the liberal arts, science, business, and education, including 59 undergraduate majors and concentrations and 8 graduate programs.[13]
The School of Physical Education, Performance, and Sport Leadership offers undergraduate and graduate programs in health and wellness occupations, including applied exercise science, nutritional science, athletic training, physical education and health education, recreation management, and sport management. It is a member of the American Kinesiology Association.[14] It incorporates the Springfield College East Campus outdoor learning center.
Organized in 2005, the School of Health Sciences offers undergraduate and graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, communication sciences and disorders, and health science, in addition to related certification programs.[15] The school is a member of the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professionals.[16]
The School of Social Work and Behavioral Sciences offers undergraduate degrees in psychology, rehabilitation and disability studies, and human services and professional graduate programs in social work, psychology, counseling, and student affairs administration.[17]
Springfield College offers bachelor's degree completion programs and master's degrees in human services, business, education, and counseling that are geared toward working adult students at its four regional campuses, its main campus, and online.[18]
Springfield College consists of one main campus in Springfield, Massachusetts, and two regional campuses, one in Boston and one in Houston.[20]
The main campus spans 100 acres (40 ha) and contains ten residence halls, recreational and fitness facilities, science and academic facilities, a performing arts center, and the Richard B. Flynn Campus Union, which includes a food court, activity and lounge space, and bookstore.[21]
Springfield College's East Campus, which encompasses 82 acres (33 ha) of forest ecosystem, is located about one mile from the main campus.[22] This location provides rustic facilities for conferences and meetings, and space for outdoor research and recreation. East Campus is also home to the Springfield College Child Development Center, which provides early education services for children of members of the faculty and staff, students, and families in the community.
Stagg Field serves as the institution's main athletic field; it was named after former coach, Amos Alonzo Stagg who briefly coached Springfield and went on to play a pivotal role in the development of modern football. The baseball team plays at Berry-Allen Field.
The Springfield College women's gymnastics team won the first intercollegiate national championship in 1969 and three of the first four (1971 and 1972).
In 2006 and 2007, the institution hosted the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Final Four.
The men's volleyball team has six non-NCAA national titles in the now-defunct Molten Invitational championship, an event for NCAA Division III schools that ran from 1997 through 2011, and also won the first three NCAA Division III Men's Volleyball Championships in 2012 through 2014. All nine championships were won under Head Coach Charlie Sullivan.
The Springfield College Women's Basketball team of 2004–2005, made the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III basketball tournament.
Women's basketball has won several conference tournament championships, including the season of 2006.
Springfield College graduates Rusty Jones G '86 and Jon Torine '95 participated in Super Bowl XLI as the Head Strength and Conditioning coaches of the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts, respectively.[29]
The Springfield College Women's Field Hockey Team has won the NEWMAC (New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference) title for five consecutive years (2004–2008).
The men's lacrosse team won six straight titles (2008–2013) in the now-defunct Pilgrim Lacrosse League, which has since been absorbed by the NEWMAC.
Springfield's Women's Swimming and Diving Team has won the NEWMAC Conference title for ten consecutive years (2001–2010) in the Division III Conference.
Springfield's Men's soccer team were voted National College Champions by the Intercollegiate Soccer Football Association in 1946, 1947 and 1957. This was before the NCAA championship soccer tournament in 1959.
U.S. News & World Report ranked Springfield College #26 for Best Regional Universities—North Region for 2021,[30] the sixth consecutive year that it has been in the top 30.[31]U.S. News also ranked Springfield College #18 among Best Value Schools for Regional Universities—North, the school's fifth consecutive year on the list.[30]
Springfield College was the recipient of the 2016 Presidential Award in the education category of the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. This honor is the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement.[32]
Since 2009, Diverse Issues in Higher Education has ranked Springfield College's School of Professional and Continuing Studies, formerly the School of Human Services, among the top three U.S. institutions for the number of bachelor's degrees awarded to African Americans in public administration and social services.[33]
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) named Springfield a finalist for the President's Award for Community Service in 2014.[35]
Springfield College was named a 2016–17 College of Distinction for providing an innovative, teacher-centered undergraduate education with a strong record of preparing its graduates for real-world success.[36]
U.S. News ranked Springfield College #8 for schools with the highest percentages of alumni enrolling in a graduate school in 2013.[37]
John Quinlan – model and actor, former professional wrestler
Manuel Rivera-Ortiz – did not graduate; documentary photographer; attended classes at Springfield College as part of the Massachusetts Migrant Education summer program, where he was offered his first courses in photography and film development.
Glenn Warner – president of National Soccer Coaches Association of America in 1953, head coach of the Naval Academy's men's soccer team from 1942 to 1975
Peter V. Karpovich – Professor of physiology (1927-1947), director of health education (1947-1955), research professor of physiology (1955-1969);[43] founder of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).[44]
^Plummer, William; Floyd, Larry C. (2013). A Series Of Their Own: History Of The Women's College World Series. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States: Turnkey Communications Inc. ISBN978-0-9893007-0-4.
^Byrnes, Bruce (April 11, 1947). "Athletic Director Leaving in June; Dewar Successor". UWO Gazette. London, Ontario. p. 1.; Byrnes, Bruce (April 11, 1947). "Athletic Director (Continued from Page 1)". UWO Gazette. London, Ontario. p. 3.
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