Amos Alonzo Stagg was an American athlete and college coach in multiple sports, primarily American football. He served as the head football coach at the International YMCA Training School (1890–1891), the University of Chicago (1892–1932), and the College of the Pacific (1933–1946), compiling a career college football record of 314–199–35 (.605). His undefeated Chicago Maroons teams of 1905 and 1913 were recognized as national champions. He was also the head basketball coach for one season at Chicago (1920–1921), and the Maroons' head baseball coach for twenty seasons.

Springfield College is a private university in Springfield, Massachusetts. The institution's philosophy, termed "humanics," underscores the importance of educating individuals in mind, body, and spirit to cultivate leadership abilities geared towards serving others. It is also notable for its historical significance as the birthplace of basketball, which was invented on campus in 1891 by Canadian-American instructor James Naismith.