This is an antique issue of the periodical "The American University Magazine" that contains a very early account of the game of BASKETBALL in its infancy. February 1896; American University Magazine Publishing Company; New York. There are numerous drawings and photographs throughout the issue, as well as illustrated advertisements at the back. The highlight of this issue is a very interesting, early basketball account written by Lester Hoole (manager of the Yale basketball team). The article is five pages long and contains two black & white photographs, and three diagrams of the court. The article is more or less an introduction of the game to the reader, with explanations of the layout of the court and descriptions of the method of play. At this time, the game was still in its infancy (it was invented in 1891) and differed greatly from the sport we know today. Here are some interesting excerpts:
* "Some call it 'indoor football,' and such it is if we can imagine football deprived of its essentials. No kicking the ball or an opponent, no running with the ball, no interfering or tackling, and no roughness of any kind are allowed."
* "The field of play is a rectangle not larger than 3,600 square feet, with 'baskets' hung two feet from the floor at either end."
* "Five or seven men form a team, lined up thus: Two 'forwards' (medium-sized, rather quick men) stand near the goal ready to catch the ball whenever it fails to go in the basket, and either 'try' themselves or pass it out to center. The 'center,' the tallest man on the team, stands near the center of the floor, ready to jump high into the air and receive the ball as it is tossed by the referee at the beginning of each half, and after each goal is made.
* "When the teams are lined up, center against center, and guard against forward, the referee, advancing, blows his whistle and tosses the ball, a leather-covered sphere of 30 inches in circumference, so that it drops near the floor. The two centers crouch and spring high into the air."
* "Whoever catches it will at once stop running and either try for the basket himself, or, if he be too closely besieged, pass it to someone less hampered. If it light on the edge and drop in, players and spectators alike cheer, but if it drop off, the forwards are there ready to pass it to a center for another try, and the guards ready to send it flying across the floor."
* "As may be seen, the first to get the ball has the advantage, and the attempt to anticipate one's opponents makes the game a whirling kaleidoscope of men with the ball flying about among them. This is why the game is so fatiguing to the players and so interesting to the spectator. Something is always happening and happening so rapidly that one's attention must never wander."