in the same year, naismith entered mcgill university in montreal. he was described as quite thin, 5 foot 10 ½ inches tall and weighing 168 pounds. he was a talented and quick-moving athlete who played for mcgill in canadian football, soccer and gymnastics. he also played center on the football team, where he wore the first football helmet. naismith won many wicksteed medals for outstanding gymnastics performances. naismith earned a ba in physical education (1888) and a diploma at the presbyterian college in montreal (1890). from 1891 on, naismith taught physical education and became the first mcgill director of athletics. he left montreal to become a physical education teacher at the ymca international training school in springfield, massachusetts. naismith is also a member of the sigma phi epsilon fraternity.