Lecture: The Birth of Organized Sports in America

Introduction

• Presenter: Dave Oberg, Director of the Elmhurst History Museum
• Focus: Emergence of professional sports and sports culture in the U.S. during the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Key Context: Transition from folk games to organized sports with standardized rules and equipment.

Historical Context

• 19th & 20th Century Changes:
  • Modernization, urbanization, industrialization.
  • Shift from agricultural to industrial time, creating distinct leisure periods.
  • Developments in transportation and communication.
  • Rise of a literate culture interested in sports.

Emergence of Organized Sports

Rowing

• 1824: First organized team competition on the Hudson.
• Growth to 200 clubs by 1872.

Horse Racing

• 1821: Legalization in New York leads to formal organizations.
• Introduction of sports uniforms.
• Alternative: Harness racing for common people.

Boxing

• Mixed views in the Victorian era due to violence and gambling.
• Emergence of sports celebrities like John Morrissey.
• Queensberry Rules improve the sport's image.

Baseball

• Myth debunked: Not invented by Abner Doubleday.
• Key Figure: Alexander Joy Cartwright formalized rules in 1845.
• Role of Harry Wright in professionalizing baseball.
• Establishment of the National Association of Professional Baseball Players in 1871.

Football

• 1869: First game between Princeton and Rutgers.
• Evolution led by figures like Walter Camp and Glenn Pop Warner.
• Introduction of safety equipment.

Evolution of Sports Culture

Athletic and Country Clubs

• Union Club of New York and other athletic clubs foster amateur sports.
• Role in incubating track and field, golf, and tennis.

Rise of Golf

• 1888: Arrival of golf to America.
• Attracts both men and women.

Tennis

• 1881: Foundation of the National Lawn Tennis Association.
• Emergence of specific sports uniforms.

YMCA and the Physical Culture Movement

• YMCA as a promoter of physical culture.
• Introduction of sports like basketball and volleyball.

Outdoor and Recreational Sports

Croquet and Horseshoes

• Embraced as popular pastimes in America.

Bicycle Craze

• 1890s: Rise of safe bicycles led to national craze.
• Influence on women's fashion.

Motor Racing

• 1895: First auto race in the U.S.
• Development of speedway and overland races.

Conclusion

• Recognition of the foundations for modern sports culture.
• Invitation to visit the Elmhurst History Museum for more insights.