History
Founded in 1885 as the Young Men's Christian Association department of the School for Christian Workers in Springfield, the school originally specialized in preparing young men to become General Secretaries of YMCA organizations in a two-year program. In 1887, it added a Physical (i.e. physical education) department. In 1890, it separated from the School for Christian Workers and became the International Young Men's Christian Association Training School. In 1895, it became a three-year program.
The original facilities were located on the second floor of the Armory Hill YMCA. By 1895, it owned 30 acres on the outskirts of Springfield, on Massasoit Lake (also known as Water Shops Pond) and had its own gymnasium, plus a dormitory under construction on a high point nearby.
Just a few years after opening its doors to the first eighteen students in 1885, the YMCA Training School could boast an international reputation as a pioneer in teaching and scholarship related to physical education class, sports medicine, physical therapy, physiology of exercise, biomechanics, wellness, the training of YMCA executives, and many other fields.
In 1905, the school became a degree-granting institution.
In 1912, it took the name International YMCA College and in 1954, Springfield College.
Read more about this topic: Springfield College (Massachusetts)
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