美國與近代中國籃球運動的興起

Abstract

19世紀末，美國基督教青年會進入中國，推廣包括籃球在內的現代運動。20世紀初期，該會在中國設立體育課程與場館，籃球運動開始萌芽，逐步形成籃球聯賽體系，其中以上海與平津地區的籃球運動發展最為興盛。1920年代以前，上海與平津地區的籃球運動，以基督教青年會及校隊為主，1920年代以後，兩地的俱樂部籃球隊數量逐步上升，反映出中國的籃球運動已逐漸拓展至基督教青年會及學校以外的地方。第一章以上海和平津地區為例，探究近代中國籃球運動的發展歷程。在這段發展過程中，美國人與華人難免發生衝突，例如，1925年由上海華人成立的「中華籃球聯合會」，受到五卅運動的影響，選擇排擠具有美國背景的聖約翰大學學生加入比賽，使中美之間的關係產生裂痕；又例如，1922年，美國體育運動專家葛雷嘗試推動全國性組織―中華業餘運動聯合會，卻遭到中國地方體育團體的反對。幸運的是，皆有關鍵人士擔任上述兩起事件的調停角色，使得衝突得以化解。1926年，葛雷主動鼓勵華人運動專家擔任外國籃球聯合會的裁判，進一步修補了中美之間因五卅運動產生的隔閡；1924年，中國體育運動專家蔣湘青出面協調與化解葛雷與中國地方體育團體的矛盾，爾後達成共識，籌組中華全國體育協進會。第二章探討美國專家，以及中國留美體育運動學人的培育。美國體育運動專家，不僅是中美籃球規則與知識交流的重要橋梁，也擔任中國學子的引薦人，推薦他們前往美國春田學院深造。美國的春田學院是培育中國體育運動人才的重要機構，留美體育運動學人返國後，積極推動中國的各項體育運動及籃球運動的發展。第三章聚焦於籃球競賽的演變，包括校內、校際、校外俱樂部競賽，以及國際競賽。天津萬國籃球賽由基督教青年會、美軍，以及中國專家共同合作籌辦，而柏林奧運的中國籃球代表隊的籌組與訓練，由留美體育運動專家董守義、舒鴻、宋君復負責。簡言之，不論是天津的萬國籃球賽，抑或是1936年柏林奧運中國籃球代表隊的籌組與訓練，均充分顯示出美國深遠的影響力。In the late 19th century, the YMCA entered China, promoting modern sports, including basketball. By the early 20th century, the YMCA had established physical education programs and sports facilities across China, laying the groundwork for the development of basketball, which gradually formed into organized league systems—most notably in the Shanghai and Beiping-Tianjin (Pingjin) regions. Before the 1920s, basketball in these areas was dominated by YMCA-affiliated and school-based teams. After the 1920s, however, the number of club basketball teams in both regions grew steadily, reflecting the sport’s expansion beyond the YMCA and educational institutions.Chapter One focuses on the historical development of modern basketball in China, using Shanghai and the Pingjin region as case studies. During this development process, tensions occasionally arose between Americans and Chinese. For example, in 1925, the establishment of the “Chinese Basketball League” by local Shanghai Chinese residents was influenced by the May Thirtieth Movement, leading to the exclusion of students from the American-affiliated St. John’s University from competitions and creating a rift in Sino-American relations. Similarly, in 1922, American sports expert John Henry Gray attempted to launch a nationwide organization—the Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation—but faced resistance from local Chinese sports groups. Fortunately, key mediators played a role in resolving both conflicts. In 1926, Gray encouraged Chinese sports experts to serve as referees in foreign-organized basketball games, helping to bridge the gap created by the May Thirtieth Incident. In 1924, Chinese sports leader Jiang Xiangqing mediated the tensions between Gray and the local associations, eventually leading to the founding of the Chinese National Amateur Athletic Federation.Chapter Two discusses the role of American experts and Chinese students trained in the United States. American sports professionals not only served as essential bridges for basketball knowledge and rule transmission between China and the U.S., but also recommended Chinese students for study abroad at Springfield College in Massachusetts. Springfield College was a critical institution in training China’s future sports leaders, and many of its Chinese alumni returned to actively promote both general physical education and basketball in China.Chapter Three focuses on the evolution of basketball competitions in China, including intra-school, inter-school, club-level, and international tournaments. The Tianjin All-Nations Basketball Tournament was co-organized by the YMCA, the U.S. military, and Chinese experts, providing a platform for diverse teams to compete. Meanwhile, the Chinese basketball team’s preparation and participation in the 1936 Berlin Olympics was led by U.S.-educated experts Tung Shouyi, Shu Hong, and Song Junfu. In short, both the Tianjin All-Nations Tournament and the formation and training of the Chinese national team for the 1936 Olympics clearly demonstrate the profound influence of the United States.