Birthplace of Intercollegiate Basketball

Hamline's basketball history

Did you know Hamline is the birthplace of intercollegiate basketball? Hamline hosted the world’s first intercollegiate basketball game against the University of Minnesota’s School of Agriculture on February 9, 1895, in the basement of the Hall of Science (where the Blue Garden is today). The final score, using the game’s original rules, was 9–3.

While other schools claim the title of “first basketball game,” Hamline hosted the first game between two colleges.

First intercollegiate basketball game
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Watch the story of the game

As shown on Twin Cities-area television.

Hamline basketball, historic screenshot
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The history of Hamline basketball

Explore the history of basketball at Hamline—and historic Hutton Arena, where Hamline still plays basketball today—in this video created by Cole Mayer ’17, a digital media arts major.

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