Framed or unframed, desk size to sofa size, printed by us in Arizona and Alabama since 2007. Explore now.
Shorpy is funded by you. Patreon contributors get an ad-free experience.
Learn more.
New York circa 1908. "Basket-ball at Columbia University." A short workout in the gym. 8x10 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection. View full size.
I believe that this picture was taken in what is now the 'blue gym' in the fitness center. Looking at the top of picture, the railings have the same handiwork as what is currently in place, and the large column that makes up the left border now stands at the front of a glass partitioned aerobics room.
Oh Converse, where art thou? These guys looked like they weren't wearing Converse basketball sneakers; they look like they're wearing bowling rent-a-shoes.
The guy in the black shirt is experimenting with short shorts. They will be come the norm in Basketball until the 1990's.
I went to CU in the late '70's. I can't recognize which building this is. Anyone else know where this was on campus or was it at an off-campus building?
My guess is that he has another pair of shoes just like these, just opposite colors.
Not a tattoo in sight.
And here we can see why they're called "the key" and the "backBOARD".
... that jumping hasn't been invented yet, because those shoes offer no ankle support and that floor is bumpier than the old Boston Garden.
You in the front, quit picking at it or it'll never heal. And you in the back, quit picking your nose!
From the guy checking out his knee and the old weight machines to the fellow in the BG who is missing a shoe (or mismatched his colors for the day), this is a wonderfully evocative shot. And speaking of shoes, what are the rest of these boys wearing on their feet? Early (and rather colorful) 20th century sneakers?
On Shorpy:
Today’s Top 5