Athletics

Athletic programs were created in many Salt Lake wards in the early 1900s; basketball, in particular, was a major part of these programs at both the stake and Church-wide levels. These sporting programs were integrated throughout many countries. The Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association eventually adopted a standardized basketball program and began an all-Church tournament in the 1920s that was held until 1971. After that time, basketball became a stake activity and the Church no longer held large tournaments.

1906 – Athletic Program introduced in the Junior Department, Twentieth Ward, Salt Lake City Ensign Stake¹

1928 – First Church-sponsored all-Church basketball game²

1943 – Softball and basketball leagues created for the Explorers

1949 – Senior softball becomes an all-Church sport

1950 – Senior volleyball becomes an all-Church sport

1952 – YMMIA assumes responsibility of the junior softball program

1952 – First all-Church softball tournament held

1953 – Junior Basketball is designated for young men aged 12 to 16, and Senior Basketball is designated for men aged 19 to 28; 17- and 18-year-old young men are given a choice between the two.

1971     “All Church” sports tournaments and festivals discontinued³

Library Collections

All-Church basketball tournament souvenir programs, 1949-1971, CR 14 28

Copies of the All-Church basketball programs, including teams, players, and brackets.

All-Church basketball: 1962-1971 / [compiled by] Clifford U. Gee, M284.1 G287ab 197-?

Reports, programs, and pictures of YMMIA basketball tournaments.

All-Church volleyball : 1966-1970 / [compiled by] Clifford U. Gee, M284.1 G287av 197-?

Reports, programs, and pictures of YMMIA volleyball tournaments.

Brazilian Mission photographs, circa 1936-1938, 1945-1949, 1967-1974, PH 3459

Photographs include those of a missionary basketball team in the Brazilian Mission.

Chilean Mission manuscript history, circa 1960-1966, AR-01-00620

Includes information about volleyball and basketball competitions held in the Chilean Mission.

Historic photographs, 1908-1986, PH 6864

Photographs from the Australia-New Zealand area, including baseball players.

Mormon baseball players in England, PH 1485

Photograph of a baseball team in England in 1909. Lists the last names of the players.

Mormon colonies in Mexico, circa 1887-1955 / Juarez Stake Academy basketball and baseball teams, circa 1905 / Juarez Stake Academy baseball team, PH 4151

Photograph of the Juarez Stake Academy baseball team, Colonia Juarez, Mexico.

Missionary Department photograph files, circa 1860-1980 / NUMBERED PHOTOGRAPHS / 1401-1504 / Aaronic Priesthood softball, PH 2003

Photograph of an Aaronic Priesthood softball team. Users must sign in to view.

Missionary Department photograph files, circa 1860-1980 / NUMBERED PHOTOGRAPHS / 1401-1504 / Men basketball tournament, PH 2003

Photograph of a M Men Basketball Tournament, including band and flag ceremony. Users must sign in to view.

Wells Ward photographs, circa 1920 / Ward basketball team, PH 9842

Photograph of the Wells Ward basketball team, Utah.

Periodical Sources

Milne, E. J. "Mutual Work: Ward and Gymnasium Hall." The Improvement Era, December 1908, 162-63.

Professor E. J. Milne, then-Physical Director at the University of Utah, wrote this article for The Improvement Era extolling the need for gymnasiums in ward buildings to support the YMMIA athletic programs.

"Gymnasium Work in Ward Amusement Halls." The Improvement Era, April 1908, 477-78.

An article in The Improvement Era where it was “Resolved, That we recommend to the stake and ward officers, in the city districts, at least, that wherever practicable, arrangements be made for the use of ward amusement halls for the purpose of affording light gymnasium work for the boys, in their respective wards or localities…”

"Mutual Work: Athletic Work in the Ensign Stake" The Improvement Era, August 1909, 840-41.

An article in The Improvement Era that includes the rules and regulations of the athletic league in the Ensign Stake.

Other Sources

Embry, Jessie L. Spiritualized Recreation: All Church Athletic Tournaments and Dance Fesivals. Provo, Utah: Charles Redd Center for Western Studies, Brigham Young University, 2008. 54-93.

Historian Jessie Embry researches the history of combining athletics and religion in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Oborn, Gordon Norman, An Historical Study of the All-Church Softball Tournament of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young University, Thesis, June 1961.

Thesis written by Gordon Oborn exploring the history of softball tournaments within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.