Henry Porter
Inducted:
1960
Stats
Born
October 2, 1891
near Manito, Illinois, U.S.
Died
October 27, 1975
St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
Position
Contributor
College
Illinois State University
University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
Henry Porter was an important figure in the early development and organization of basketball, earning recognition for innovations that helped improve the game at both the school and national levels. His landmark legacy was forged in high school athletics as an administrator, equipment designer, and rule maker.
As the inaugural executive secretary of the National Federation of State High School Athletic Associations (NFHS), Porter revolutionized the physical equipment and standard rulebook of basketball. He designed the fan-shaped backboard, spearheaded the transition from heavy laced leather balls to the modern molded basketball, and published the first unified high school rulebook. Porter is also famous for coining the iconic phrase "March Madness" in 1939 to capture the drama of high school tournament play.
For his game-changing innovations and administrative leadership, he was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a Contributor in 1960.
Porter's Awards and Honor
- Designed the Fan-Shaped Backboard
- Introduced the Molded Basketball
- Published First High School Basketball Rule Book (1936)
- Pioneered Instructional Motion Pictures
- Credited with developing the fan-shaped backboard
- First Illinois State graduate inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame
NBA Teams
Athletic Administrator
Executive Director
NBA Records
Served at IHSA:
31 Years (1927–1958) as Assistant Manager
As Executive Secretary of NFHS:
18 Years (1940–1958)
As Executive Director:
National High School Federation
Major contribution:
Development of basketball equipment
Rule Committee Veteran:
Represented 26 years (1932–1958) at National Basketball Rules Committee
Term Coined:
"March Madness"