March Madness is a phenomenon that affects millions of American sports fans each year during the spring season. Victims of the fever exhibit symptoms such as using basketball jargon, crying over busted brackets, and calling in sick to work on Thursdays and Fridays. The origin of March Madness can be traced back to 1939 when it was first diagnosed by Illinois high school sports administrator Henry “H.V.” Porter. Porter, who had a deep love for high school basketball, described the exuberant basketball fans in Illinois during the statewide tournament in March 1939 in an essay that coined the term “March Madness.”
Porter, known for his innovative contributions to the sport of basketball, was a visionary ahead of his time. He played a significant role in standardizing the game by publishing the first high school rulebook, working with sports manufacturers to produce molded leather basketballs, and serving on the National Basketball Rules Committee. His influence spread nationwide, but his heart remained with the small-town courts of Illinois and the enthusiasts who shared his passion for high school hoops. Porter’s contributions to basketball were vital to its evolution and growth as a sport.
During World War II, Porter penned a somber but powerful poem titled “The Basketball Ides of March,” reflecting on the impact of the war on young men who were drawn away from basketball courts and into battlefields. His dedication to the sport extended beyond the Illinois high school level as he became the executive secretary of the National Federation of State High School Associations, spreading the concept of “March Madness” to high school tournaments across the country. The phrase gained further popularity when broadcaster Brent Musburger used it to describe the NCAA tournament in the 1980s.
One of the defining moments of small-town March Madness occurred in 1952 when tiny Hebron High School, with a student body of only 95 students, won the state championship, beating a much larger school. The team’s victory symbolized the passion and dedication of small-town basketball communities in Illinois. Porter’s legacy lives on through the competitive spirit displayed by American youth in March Madness each year. His contributions to the sport of basketball, along with his creation of the term “March Madness,” earned him a place in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.
Porter’s vision for basketball as a unifying force during challenging times was reflected in his belief that a little March Madness could complement and contribute to societal sanity. The NCAA tournament, now synonymous with the term he popularized, has become a cultural phenomenon in American sports. While the details of the legal battle over the rights to the “March Madness” trademark remain undisclosed, the NCAA fiercely protects its valuable asset. Porter’s dedication to basketball and his impact on the sport’s development continue to be celebrated, highlighting the enduring legacy of the man who gave America “March Madness.”
