THE SCOTTISH UNIVERSITIES

In 1947 there were only five Universities in Scotland. These were located in the four cities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh & Glasgow. The fifth was, of course, St Andrews which was the first University in Scotland founded in the year 1413. University sport was basically rugby in winter, cricket and athletics in summer. Recreation departments also encouraged the traditional activities of rowing, fencing and tennis. Regular participation for the University Team in these activities would merit the individual award of a colour. The Scotsman reported on 9 November 1949 that St Andrews University had awarded "half blues" to students J Crieghton and R Olsen. In those "Amateur" days the Captain of each sport wielded enormous influence. He would recruit players, organise training and arrange fixtures with other Universities. Recreation departments acted as facilitators responding to interest within the student population.

Indoor facilities were extremely limited. None of the five Universities could boast a hall capable of housing a full sized basketball court. Edinburgh University had a gymnasium with pillars at intervals down the centre of the court to support the ceiling. The University used the Pleasance Trust Gymnasium for participation in the East of Scotland League.

In the aftermath of the Second World War foreign students were a rare breed. However the occasional American student would register and help to stimulate a basketball programme. In addition to entering a team in a local league some arranged to play against the other Scottish Universities.

The growth in student populations and an increase in interest in Sport & Recreation prompted Universities to appoint more Physical Education staff and develop indoor facilities. Glasgow University was first to build a Sports Hall with a full size basketball court. It incorporated a small gallery which could accommodate about 50 spectators. This probably amused the American students, more used to a College Sports facility designed to accommodate several hundred spectators. St Andrews University was next to build a Sports Complex. Once again a full size court was incorporated but this time with limited spectator facilities.

Three new Scottish Universities were formed in the 1960's. Strathclyde (formerly The Royal College of Science and Technology), Heriot Watt and Stirling, the latter on a new campus on the Airthrie Estate to the North of town. All three built significant Sports Halls. Aberdeen and Edinburgh Universities followed the pattern and built new sports facilities incorporating a basketball court. An annual Scottish Universities Tournament was established and Universities took turns hosting the event.

As the number of Universities in Great Britain expanded it triggered the establishment in 1972 of the Scottish Universities Sports Federation (SUSF) and the British Universities Sports Federation (BUSF). The SUSF was responsible for encouraging the development of Inter University activity in Scotland. The BUSF was responsible for England, Wales & Northern Ireland. Basketball was represented in both BUSF & SUSF organisations and Scotland entered the first BUSF Basketball Championships which were played at Birmingham University in 1973.


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