The Man Who Invented March Madness: Henry Van Arsdale Porter

This article delves into the life and legacy of Henry Van Arsdale Porter, the Illinois high school sports administrator who coined the iconic phrase "March Madness" in 1939, capturing the spirit of the sport and forever shaping its place in American culture.

March Madness, a term synonymous with the thrilling, high-stakes NCAA men's basketball tournament, has become a cultural phenomenon, capturing the hearts of millions of sports fans each year. But the genesis of this iconic phrase can be traced back to a humble high school sports administrator in Illinois, Henry Van Arsdale Porter.

Porter, born in Manito, Illinois, in 1891, became an influential figure in the development of high school basketball. As an equipment inventor, rule maker, coach, and athletic administrator, his innovations played a vital role in shaping the game.

The Man Who Invented March Madness: Henry Van Arsdale Porter

In 1939, Porter penned an essay titled "March Madness," published in the "Illinois High School Athlete" magazine. In it, he vividly depicted the infectious enthusiasm of high school basketball fans during the statewide tournament, describing them as afflicted by a "malaise" that manifested in spontaneous outbursts of jargon, emotional breakdowns, and a propensity for calling in sick to work. Porter's poetic prose captured the essence of the basketball fever that had gripped Illinois.

The phrase "March Madness" resonated with the high school basketball community and eventually spread to the NCAA. In the early 1980s, broadcaster Brent Musburger popularized the term while covering the NCAA tournament for television, helping to establish its widespread recognition.

The Man Who Invented March Madness: Henry Van Arsdale Porter

While Porter's contribution to basketball is most prominently known through the phrase "March Madness," his legacy extends far beyond. He published the first high school rulebook, standardizing the game across the nation, and served as a representative for high schools on the National Basketball Rules Committee. He also played a pivotal role in developing the molded leather basketball, replacing the cumbersome and hard-to-dribble laced balls used in the sport's early years.

Porter believed that the pursuit of basketball provided a vital outlet for youth in difficult times. During the Great Depression and the looming threat of World War II, he argued that the "March Madness" phenomenon contributed to maintaining sanity and societal balance.

The Man Who Invented March Madness: Henry Van Arsdale Porter

"A little March Madness," Porter wrote in his 1939 essay, "may complement and contribute to sanity and help keep society on an even keel."

Porter's passion for basketball never waned, and he continued his work in the sport until his retirement from the National Federation of State High School Associations in 1958. He passed away in Florida in 1975, but his legacy lives on in the enduring popularity of "March Madness."

The Man Who Invented March Madness: Henry Van Arsdale Porter

The term has become a trademark of the NCAA, symbolizing the frenzied excitement and unpredictable nature of the tournament. It has inspired countless articles, books, and documentaries, cementing its place in American sports culture.

Through his love for basketball and his ability to capture its infectious spirit in words, Henry Van Arsdale Porter left an indelible mark on the game. His phrase "March Madness" has become a household name, synonymous with the adrenaline-pumping, bracket-busting spectacle that brings millions of fans together each year.

The Man Who Invented March Madness: Henry Van Arsdale Porter