Fun&Games_v3

BASKETBALL & THE ORLAND PARK BAND

In 1891, James Naismith wrote the first set of rules for a sport he called basketball for a class assignment, which was influenced by a game he played as a child. The first basketball games had nine players on each team. The goal was to throw a soccer-like ball into peach baskets that were hung on the balconies of each end of the gymnasium. After a “basket” was made, the game was stopped for the ball to be retrieved, using a ladder to reach the peach basket. The first public game was in 1892 and basketball’s popularity quickly spread. By 1898, the first professional league was formed, and seven years later, nets finally replaced the peach baskets. According to long-time Orland Park resident Ralph Agate, Orland Park had a community band long before he became a tenor saxophone player in the 1920s. Unfortunately, the exact year of when the band was formed is unknown. However, after reading various newspaper articles regarding the band’s performances, we know that the band existed as early as 1908. It is likely that it was formed even earlier. Agate stated that most small towns like Orland Park had community bands. Saturday evenings were popular days to play, as people would come out to enjoy live music on a band stand located in the town center.

ARTIFACTS IN THIS CABINET (LEFT TO RIGHT): • Basketball Hoop, c. 1930s • District 135 Basketball Cheers, c. 1940s •.Photograph of the Orland Park Band, c. 1890s • Orland Band Concert Ticket, 1930