Liston, Emil

Emil S. Liston and the Creation of the NAIA

By Lucas Lyons, BU 2027

In Brief:

• Baldwin High and Baker University graduate with multiple sports letters.
• Was both player and coach while still in high school.
• PE Director at Ft. Scott High School in KS in 1913.
• Coach and teacher at Kemper Military Academy in Boonville, MO in 1915.
• Coach and teacher at Michigan School of Mines, now Michigan Technology University.
• Athletic Director at Wesleyan University, Middletown Connecticut in 1918. Here he utilized his administrative skills and encouraged students to use discipline, teamwork and sportsmanship.
• In 1930, graduated from Harvard University with Master’s Degree in PE. The knowledge he gained led to his ideas that improved the athletic culture at university programs under his leadership and became core values of the NAIA.
• Member of Kansas Conference Coaches Association (KCCA) and was essential to forming organization’s goals.
• Major contributor to organization of the NAIB (National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball) in 1937 to give smaller universities a national platform on which to compete with one another.
• The NAIB’s national championship tournament – organized and run by Liston – led the way for the development of the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) which continues today.
• The NAIA established a scholarship in Liston’s honor.
• Liston was the first person initiated into the Baker U Hall of Fame in 1975.

More Information:

Born in Stockton, Missouri, on August 21, 1890, Emil S. Liston became a prominent figure in the sports industry. His early years and professional life, characterized by a strong love of sports and education, laid the groundwork for an incredible journey resulting in his significant contribution to the sporting community. From his early years in a small town in Kansas to his coaching and teaching roles, Liston’s biography is one of unwavering devotion to sports. Despite the simplicity of rural living during his early years in Baldwin City, Kansas, Emil Liston initially fell in love with sports there. Baldwin City is not a large town, but it has a local school system that allowed him to grow his attachment to school and athletics. In this setting, Liston began to understand the importance of sports in personal development and community cohesion. Liston’s early exposure to competitiveness, teamwork, and physical exercise while growing up in a small town would influence his lifetime dedication to athletics.

Liston was raised in Baldwin City, Kansas, where he would go to Baldwin High School after his family relocated there. The small town of Baldwin, in the center of Kansas, had a thriving high school athletic program that helped Liston hone his athletic skills. He excelled in a variety of athletic disciplines throughout his time at Baldwin High, which would serve as the start of his prosperous sporting career. He received multiple honors and sports letters as a result of his innate athleticism and spirit of competition, which served as an early indication of his ability as an athlete and coach. Because of his intense passion for athletics, Liston played both coach and player while still in high school. His love for athletics and his strong desire to be involved in every aspect of the sporting process led to this combination of duties. Due to his love of athletics, Liston volunteered his time and energy as a coach for two years without receivingany pay. He started learning the specifics of coaching during these early years, which would help him in his career.

Liston attended Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas, to continue his studies after graduating from high school. Liston would be well-suited to continue his studies and athletic career at Baker University because of its robust academic offerings and illustrious athletic heritage. In addition to honing his athletic abilities while attending Baker, Liston gained a stronger comprehension of the function of athletics in the larger educational framework. Liston gained the attention of his teachers and peers due to his athletic ability and expanding understanding of physical education. By the time he graduated in June 1913, Liston had made a name for himself as a successful athlete and a future coach after excelling in several athletic programs.

His time at Baker University was important since it prepared him for his future work as a coach and instructor. After graduating, Liston had to deal with the challenging challenge of locating employment in a field that was becoming more and more competitive. When he was appointed Physical Education Director at Fort Scott High School in Kansas, it was his first professional opportunity. Working with pupils to enhance their athletic abilities and physical fitness at Fort Scott allowed Liston to put his love of sports and physical education into practice. His ability to lead in this capacity not only helped him have a big influence on the children he worked with, but also strengthened his standing as a person who genuinely cared about young people’s physical development.

Liston continued his career in 1915, taking a coaching and teaching job at the private Kemper Military Academy in Boonville, Missouri. Liston took the role of coaching a middle school basketball team at Kemper, which was both demanding and fulfilling. Patience and athorough knowledge of the sport’s principles were essential for coaching at this level, and Liston was highly skilled at helping his young athletes improve. Another significant phase of his early career was his tenure at Kemper Military Academy, where he was able to obtain experience working with players of different skill levels. With his career starting to take shape by 1916, Liston went on to teach at the Michigan School of Mines, which is now the Michigan Technological University. Liston started to assume more responsibility in the academic and athletic areas at the Michigan School of Mines, which further broadened his role as a teacher and coach. Here, he developed his coaching philosophy further and learned more about the educational system and how it affects student-athletes.

In 1918, Liston relocated to the East to advance his academic and athletic interests. To engage with students at a higher level of competition, he took the position of Athletic Director at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, a prominent college. As Wesleyan’s athletic director, Liston was responsible for administering all athletic programs, including facilities, coaching staff, and competition planning. He played a crucial part in establishing Wesleyan University’s athletic scene, and his impact was felt throughout the whole department. In addition to showcasing his administrative skills at Wesleyan, Liston played a significant role in encouraging students to appreciate discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship. His success as a coach and teacher in the collegiate athletics industry was made possible by his leadership in these early roles. He would later become well-known across the country as one of the leading authorities on the growth of collegiate athletic programs thanks to his work at Wesleyan and his prior coaching and teaching skills.

Liston’s commitment to leadership, education, and athletics at Baker University defines his legacy. In his capacity as athletic director, he was crucial in creating the university’s athleticprograms and making sure they were both competitive and consistent with its academic principles. Baker’s standing in collegiate athletics was strengthened by his leadership. Liston influenced the student-athletes he worked with as a football, basketball, and baseball coach in addition to his administrative responsibilities. His active coaching approach and strong commitment to his athletes’ individual development made an impression. Liston’s
all-encompassing coaching and leadership style helped many athletes succeed on the field and in the classroom.

Liston’s professional career was further enhanced in 1930 when he graduated from Harvard University with a Master’s degree in physical education. He brought a greater understanding of physical education and its significance in student development to his work at Baker as a direct result of his further education. With the knowledge and techniques he acquired at Harvard, Liston was able to combine theory with practice, providing a more knowledgeable and academic approach to athletic administration and coaching. In addition to expanding his expertise, his time at Harvard had a positive impact on Baker’s athletic programs, where he introduced fresh concepts that improved the school’s athletics culture and would eventually be a part of the core values of the NAIA.

Liston’s influence went beyond his employment at Baker to the larger sports community, especially as a result of his membership in the Kansas Conference Coaches Association (KCCA). Liston was essential in forming the organization’s goals and programs as a founding member and two-term president. He was able to create a sense of camaraderie among coaches in the state and encourage the expansion of collegiate athletics throughout Kansas through his leadership in the KCCA. By strengthening the network of coaches and athletic programs across Kansas, Liston’sservices to the KCCA solidified his standing as an important figure in the growth of collegiate athletics in the area and the National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball (NAIB).

Liston’s hard work at Baker University and in the larger athletic community, his reputation as a leader in collegiate athletics was rapidly expanding. As he became more interested in national sports, especially basketball, his influence grew outside of the institution. By the late 1920s, Liston had gained recognition for his dedication to advancing collegiate athletics, especially in Kansas and the surrounding areas. He had already made a name for himself as an athletic director, coach, and advocate for concepts that raised the standard of collegiate sports. His contribution to the founding of the NAIB would cede his status as a pivotal figure in the history of college basketball.

Basketball in the US was going through a significant transition in the early 1920s. From 1921 until 1934, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) held a national basketball tournament every year at the Convention Hall in Kansas City. Teams from all levels of competition joined together for this tournament, which lasted for 14 years and became a significant event in the national sports scene. College teams, city league winners, club teams, and industrial teams were among the diverse basketball teams that participated in the AAU tournament. As a result, a variety of amateur and semi-professional basketball players were welcome to compete; it was not just a collegiate basketball tournament. In theory, this format gave collegiate teams a chance to participate at the national level and displayed a range of skill and playing styles from different sections of society.

As time went on, the AAU tournament started to encounter difficulties, especially about the balance of competition. With industrial teams and semi-professional sides controlling the competition, the tournament had grown more and more unbalanced. These teams frequentlyfeatured former collegiate athletes who were able to continue playing basketball at a high level because they had been hired by the companies that they represented. This was a serious issue for Liston and many of his peers. Since industrial teams, with their professional-level ability, were competing against college amateurs, they felt that the AAU tournament no longer provided an equal playing field for collegiate teams.

When AAU officials chose to move the event from Kansas City to the Colorado Rocky Mountains, the situation escalated. Both the city’s basketball community and Dr. Joseph Reilly, who had put a lot of effort into bringing the tournament to Kansas City in 1921, were hurt by this decision. Many players and fans who had become accustomed to the event’s site were disappointed and jealous of the decision to relocate the AAU tournament, which had been held in Kansas City for more than ten years. Since he had played a significant role in drawing national attention to Kansas City’s basketball scene, Dr. Reilly found this move very upsetting. The tournament’s relocation also marked the end of an era for Kansas City, which had prided itself on being a central hub for basketball in the country.

Liston, who had been watching the AAU tournament changes closely, was shocked by how the change affected collegiate basketball. He felt that the competitive balance necessary to maintain the integrity of collegiate athletics was being undermined by the growing dominance of industrial teams, which he strongly disagreed with. Liston and other college coaches realized that the spirit of amateur competition was being weakened as professional-level players were more and more dominant in the AAU tournament. Liston, like many other college coaches at the time, believed that the AAU tournament had changed from being truly amateur competition to one in which professionals faced off against amateurs. Liston thought it was time for a new platformthat might provide a more level playing field and restore the balance between collegiate teams because the introduction of industrial teams with paid players degraded the college experience.

Liston and other college coaches took action as a result of their dissatisfaction with the situation of collegiate basketball. By offering a competition only for small colleges, they saw a chance to establish a new basketball association that would better reflect their interests and needs. When the NAIB was established in 1937, Liston was one of the main factors for its creation. In direct response to the developing inequality in the AAU tournament, the NAIB was founded to give universities a fair and balanced arena in which to compete against one another. An important turning point in college basketball history was the establishment of the NAIB, which gave smaller universities a national platform to display their skills without being overrun by semi-professional athletes or industrial teams.

Despite several difficulties, the NAIB’s establishment was eventually successful because of the leadership of people like Liston. The collaboration with Kansas City’s Municipal Auditorium was one significant occasion that would contribute to establishing the NAIB’s significance. The NAIB’s national championship event was held mostly at this arena because of its central location and spacious seating capacity. The NAIB Tournament would later be held at the Municipal Auditorium for many years, and basketball fans would come to associate the tournament with the title. The Municipal Auditorium was chosen as the tournament’s location thanks in large part to the efforts of well-known Kansas City industrialist George Goldman, establishing the city’s standing as the center for collegiate basketball.

The idea of an all-collegiate national basketball tournament was still fresh and untested in the late 1930s. Acknowledging the absence of a genuinely nationwide competition for collegiate teams, Liston put out a bold proposal to establish one, imagining Kansas City’s MunicipalAuditorium as the ideal location. He proposed the notion of holding a playoff tournament just for college basketball teams to George Goldman, the AAU’s faltering commissioner. To promote collegiate basketball and unite the top teams from around the nation, Liston envisioned a national championship tournament.

Liston came up with the concept at the time, but he had no organizational or financial support. He had a big idea for the event, but he didn’t have the resources to make it happen. A field of 16 teams was originally intended, with the possibility of growing to 32 teams in the future. Basketball inventor Dr. James Naismith was Liston’s main backer since he was an outspoken advocate of the concept and gave the company its legitimacy. The Municipal Auditorium, the “Pearl of the City,” was available for Liston to use at no cost because Goldman was convinced of the potential significance of such a tournament, even though there was no funding for it. This significant act of kindness would help advance the competition from an idea to a tangible event.

Word of Liston’s planned postseason tournament had spread by the start of the 1936–37 season, sparking a marketing frenzy. Liston put in many hours to promote the event and garner support. To generate broad interest, press releases were distributed, coaches were reached by phone, and publications nationwide were contacted. Coaches from all across the nation were soon excited to compete in the first-ever all-collegiate national basketball championship because of Liston’s contagious excitement for the competition. Both the public and the media were captivated by the idea of a playoff tournament meant for collegiate teams, which had never been done before.

On Tuesday, March 9, 1937, the NAIB, college basketball’s first real national championship tournament, was set to get underway. The goal of this trial tournament was to seewhether holding such an event was possible. Would the crowds show up? Would it be possible for the teams to plan and compete? Even with some doubts, Liston had faith in his strategy and the Municipal Auditorium’s capacity to serve as the perfect venue for the games. The event’s introduction was important for college basketball because it was the first time a national champion would be chosen by a structured playoff tournament that was only open to collegiate teams. The competition laid the foundation for future development and expansion, marking a significant turning point in collegiate basketball’s history.

Liston’s plan, however, ran into several problems. The tournament had to be finished by Thursday, March 11, 1937, due to schedule issues and the need to complete it quickly. Although there were significant challenges because of the short deadline, Liston and his team were committed to making it work. The first NAIB tournament was a success despite the hurried schedule, as the teams competed in high-stakes, fast-paced games. The Municipal Auditorium was crowded with fans, and both competitors and spectators responded favorably to the tournament. The trial run’s success demonstrated the potential for growth and success of the idea of an all-collegiate national basketball tournament.

Since the NAIB tournament’s success showed that small colleges nationwide needed a formal governing body and a long-term competitive structure, Liston’s efforts to establish it helped pave the way for the NAIA’s (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) eventual development. The foundation for what would grow to be one of the most significant occasions in university athletics was established by the first tournament and its success at the Municipal Auditorium. In the years that followed, the NAIB expanded, attracted more teams, attracted more media coverage, and established itself as a significant institution in college basketball history. With Liston’s vision and the help of important individuals like Goldman and Naismith, the 1937trial tournament eventually transformed into an institution that continues to shape the landscape of collegiate sports today.

In the world of collegiate athletics today, Emil S. Liston’s legacy is still felt, especially through his founding of the NAIB, which later changed its name to the NAIA. The scholarship named after him, which started at Baker University in 1950, is among the most enduring features of his legacy. One junior men’s and one junior women’s basketball player in the NAIA receives a scholarship each year from the program, which honors their athleticism, ethics, and passion for the sport both on and off the court. In addition to paying tribute to Liston, these scholarships embody the principles he promoted: commitment, leadership, and a strong love of sports. This initiative guarantees that Liston’s impact will continue to mold the lives of young athletes who share the values he coached.

The Baker University newsletter named “The Liston Letter”, established in Liston’s honor is another way that the university honors his efforts in addition to the scholarship. The weekly acts as a reminder of Liston’s enormous influence on the university’s campus culture and sporting activities. It showcases his work as an athletic director and coach, and by highlighting the principles he supports, it continues to motivate students and alumni. To maintain Liston’s commitment to encouraging both academic and athletic excellence as part of Baker’s legacy, the newsletter is essential. In 1975, Liston became the first individual to be inducted into the Baker Hall of Fame, adding to his long-lasting influence at Baker. This honor recognized his decades of service and leadership, both as a coach and as an administrator, and celebrated the transformative role he played in shaping Baker ’s athletic culture. His induction also acknowledged the lasting influence he had on the lives of athletes, many of whom went on to achieve success in both sports and their careers.In conclusion, Liston played a crucial role in the creation of the NAIA and he is still honored for his efforts through scholarships, publications, and the NAIA’s continued prosperity particularly in the organization’s founding. His efforts created a framework that enables smaller colleges and universities to provide their athletes the same chances to compete as those at larger institutions, encouraging inclusivity, equity, and sportsmanship. Generations of athletes and coaches will be motivated by Liston’s legacy, which is one of vision, leadership, and a strong dedication to improving collegiate athletics. Liston will go down as one of the few founding fathers of the NAIB and eventually turn into the NAIA through many other sports.

Bibliography

• Stooksbury, Danny. National Title: The Unlikely Tale of the NAIB Tournament. Bradenton Beach, Florida: Smashwords, October 26, 2010.
• National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. “Dr. Liston to Determine NAIA Men’s Basketball Champion.” National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. September 9, 2005. https://www.naia.org/general/2005-06/releases/20050909kbmpt#:~:text=Liston%2C%20 Dr.,determine%20a%20national%20basketball%20champion.
• Williams, Dylan P., Chad Seifried, and Brian P. Soebbing. “The Five-Stage Process of Legitimacy Building Within a Sport Interest Association.” Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics 12, no. 1 (2019): Article 24. https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/jiia/vol12/iss1/24.
• Small College Basketball. “Emil Liston.” Accessed November 14, 2024. https://www.smallcollegebasketball.com/emilliston.
• Kean, Eugene “Founder of the N.A.I.A.”, The Baker World. June, 1972. Pages 12, 13, 22
• Curtis, Paul. Paul E. Curtis to C. Eugene Kean, Parkville, MO, July 24, 1972
• The Newsletter of Baker Boosters “Liston-Spear To Be Inducted” The Liston Letter. October, 1977
• Leathers, Thomas. “The Vigor and Effort of Emil Liston Made Kansas City A Basketball Captial” Kansas City Star, November 2, 1949
• Arnold, John. John W. Arnold to Joe McGoff, Kansas City, MO, February 27, 1975

Note: Lucas Lyons is a basketball player at Baker University. He wrote this paper for a research class in 2024. This paper is reproduced here with his permission. We are proud and pleased to include Lucas’s interesting and informative work on this website.