the naismith memorial hall of fame in springfield, massachusetts, is named in naismith's honor. he was the first member in 1959. the national collegiate athletic association rewards its best players and coaches annually with the naismith awards, among them the naismith college player of the year, the naismith college coach of the year and the naismith prep player of the year. women's basketball became an olympic event in montreal during the 1976 summer olympics. naismith was also inducted into the canadian basketball hall of fame, the canadian olympic hall of fame, the canadian sports hall of fame, the ontario sports legends hall of fame, the ottawa sports hall of fame, the mcgill university sports hall of fame, the kansas state sports hall of fame and the fiba hall of fame.