December 1991 marks the centennial of basketball, a sport that has been enjoyed by many thousands of Church members since the early 1900s.
In fact, basketball is a game often readily associated with the LDS faith by many people since the cultural halls of most meetinghouses in the United States and Canada also function as basketball courts. Worldwide, some of the larger meetinghouses include cultural halls or other larger multipurpose rooms that can be used for basketball. And in some warm climates, outdoor courts have been built alongside Church buildings.Wherever it is played, basketball is a great tool for fun, fitness and fellowship. In a Church context, it can provide a setting for lives to be influenced - for better or worse - depending upon the attitudes and behavior of those who participate. (See sportsmanship story on page 10.)
In 1990, it was estimated that more than 550,000 people played basketball in Church-sponsored sports programs worldwide. That figure includes leagues for young men and young women, and adult men and adult women.
And that enthusiasm for participation in basketball and other sports and fitness activities goes way back. Bob Leake, Priesthood Department administrative assistant responsible for activities, recently gathered information on Church sports and helped with an entry in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism.
Among religious faiths, the Church pioneered the promotion of sports and fitness. The Prophet Joseph Smith excelled in running, wrestling, stick pulling, jumping and playing ball. President Brigham Young encouraged the building of separate recreation halls - later included as part of meetinghouses and called cultural halls - after the saints settled the Salt Lake Valley.
Participation in sports through the 19th century was informal in the Church. In 1901 and for several decades thereafter, an annual field day which included baseball and other games was conducted in the Salt Lake Valley. By 1906, basketball was added, and by 1911 ward and interstake competition evolved. From 1910 to 1920, Church competition in basketball and baseball spread from the Salt Lake Valley to many Mormon settlements throughout the West.
In 1922, Church leaders issued their first formal guidelines for recreation and sports. By 1926, team sports including basketball, baseball, football and soccer, along with individual and dual activities such as hiking, camping, tennis, swimming, skating, dancing, coasting, skiing and golf were being encouraged and organized under the direction of the Mutual Improvement Association.
At this time, the need for some emphasis on sportsmanship apparently came into focus. One leader said, "Play fair, but play hard. Win if you can, lose if you must, but take a whipping without whimpering." (MIA Recreation Bulletin, 1926, p. 51.)
Church leaders taught that the joy of playing should be the motivating force in an activity - counsel that has continued through the years to this day.
All-Church sports tournaments were initiated following World War II and flourished from 1950-70. Teams traveled to Salt Lake City from such places as Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Washington, Washington D.C., Canada and Mexico. Sports involved were basketball, softball and volleyball. Limited competition also was held in tennis, golf and horseshoes. By 1954, more than 1,250 basketball teams competed, representing their regions or areas in the All-Church event. By 1962, more than 3,500 basketball teams and 50,000 players were involved.
The worldwide growth of the Church through the 1960s made it impractical and too costly to continue the All-Church tournaments.
During the mid-1900s, basketball helped assist the increasingly favorable image of the Church. Some missions put together teams of missionaries to compete in local leagues, doing much to introduce the Church and foster good relations in many parts of the world.
In April 1971, Church leaders announced that sports would be emphasized on a local basis - with the potential of regional, multiregional and area play - and that teams would no longer travel to Salt Lake City to compete on an all-Church basis. Tournament participation has since been limited to multiregional play due to concerns about time and expense.
Since 1977, coordination of Church sports has been the responsibility of stake and ward activities committees, acting under the direction of priesthood leaders. Area, multiregional and regional sports directors may also be called. Since the first guidelines were issued in 1922, the Church has continued to provide leaders with instructions and manuals, giving guidelines for
Church basketball and other sports. The encouragement of widespread participation and sportsmanship have always been paramount.
"Sports programs should provide year-round opportunity for involvement and should include a wide variety of individual and team sports. All who have a desire to participate should have the opportunity to do so." (Physical Fitness, Sports, and Recreation Manual, 1983, p. 17.)
Many participants in Church sports can relate with the young man who never was quite skilled enough to make his school basketball teams, as he reflected on the positive memories he has collected playing Church ball as a youth and into adulthood:
"We often did not win a lot of games during those early years, but we developed some great friendships and always had a lot of fun. The games were well-organized and often well-attended by parents, friends and ward members. It was always exciting when members of the bishopric or other leaders looked on.
"As we took to the court, we were typically nervous, but would quickly forget the `butterflies' as we raced back and forth. Everybody would play, regardless of ability. Winning was a nice, exciting bonus. Practices also were a time of much fun, and a little learning. Basketball brought out people who sometimes had little else to do with the Church. I think the association they enjoyed with the other youth had a positive impact on their lives. I hope it did."
