Kappa Alpha Thetas at the University of Kansas, late 1800s
I am not sure if these University of Kansas Kappa Alpha Thetas would have even seen a basketball game when they attended college. James Naismith, Ph.D., Sigma Phi Epsilon, is credited with inventing basketball in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1898, Dr. Naismith joined the staff at Kansas University (this was what the university was called in those days). Chances are that they learned about the game at some point, probably as alumnae, and they are likely cheering tonight’s game from box seats on high.
This picture fascinates me for so many reasons – the hair colors of the women (mostly brunettes), the way they look in different directions, the fashions, and the lack of smiles (modern dentistry and film shoot times, as well as cultural norms are reasons that pop in my head).
