Letter from William Chase regarding the Madison Square Garden Game (February 2, 1937)
Description:
William Chase, a Springfield College (then known as International YMCA College) alumnus, wrote this letter to talk about the Madison Square Garden Game, where Springfield College men's basketball team played St. Francis (February 2, 1937). Chase talked about his experience participating in the event as a member of the first basketball team. Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game of Basketball, is mentioned in the letter. Chase also mentioned that he was invited to stay with Kaighn, which possibly refers to Raymond Kaighn, another member of the first basketball team. The letter is addressed to someone named Duncan, but the person's full name is unknown. On the bottom left corner of the letter, the handwriting says "I recall a nice chat with you on roof of college building.". William R. Chase is a member of Class 1893 of Springfield College (then known as International YMCA Training School). He was a member of the first men to ever play the game of basketball in 1891. Chase was born on June 23, 1867 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Before attending Springfield College, he worked in a music store, a bank, and for an insurance agency. He operated his own insurance business in New Bedford for 50 years before retiring in March, 1947. He died on August 30, 1951.
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