Portrait photograph of Frank Mahan

This is a portrait of Springfield College alumnus Frank Mahan (Class of 1893). In the photograph, Mahan is wearing suit and tie and looking at the camera.Frank Mahan (Class of 1893) came from Memphis, Tennessee, and was a member of the very first basketball team. While at Springfield College, he also played football. According to notes written by James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, Mahan wasn’t sold on the new sport and was the first to walk off the court. He did, however, propose that the new game be named “Naismith Ball” after its founder."Mahan, Frank" is written on the back of the photograph