Luther Gulick: Shaping The Future of the Y

An article published in the Perspective magazine (February, 2002) titled "Luther Gulick: Shaping the Future of the Y." The article was written by Springfield College Director of Office of the YMCA Relations, Paul Katz. It talks about who Luther Gulick was, how he came to Springfield College, Muscular Christianity, the creation of the triangle, and his work with the Public School Athletic League in New York City and the developmet of the Camp Fire Girls with his wife Charlotte Gulick.Luther Gulick came to the School for Christian Workers, now Springfield College, in 1887 where he helped found the physical training department and served as its first director. Gulick also created the Springfield College's seal, the inverted triangle, whose three sides represent the whole man - in spirit, mind and body. The symbol was first adopted by the school's students in 1891. Later, it was adopted by the YMCA and is still the basis for the symbol they use today. While at Springfield, Gulick directed James Naismith, who was a teacher at the school, to create a winter sport to be played indoors. Soon after, Naismith created the game of basketball. Gulick left Springfield College in 1900 to work as the physical education director at the Pratt Institute High School in Brooklyn. In 1910, Gulick and his wife Charlotte founded the Camp Fire Girls of America, a youth movement for girls which emphasized camping, outdoor activities and preparing women for work outside the home. Gulick died at his summer home in Maine at the age of 52