Guide to the James W. Smith Betsill Papers, 1951-2002 (Bulk 1954-1958; 1997-1998; 2002)
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- James W. Smith Betsill Papers,
- Creator
- Betsill, James W. Smith
- Collection Number
- MSS#400
- Extent
- 1.0 linear feet (2 boxes)
- Date
- 1951-2002
- Abstract
- James W. Smith Betsill was a record-setting basketball player, a community activist and the Western Regional Director of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Corrections Education for twenty-five years. His papers include family diplomas, newspaper clippings of his basketball career, awards, family and professional correspondence, work-related documents and his speeches. Community resolutions and proclamations made after his death are included, as well.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
James W. Smith Betsill, or "Big" Jim, was born December 6,1934 to parents James Lester and Florence Farmer Betsill. He received his early education in the Pittsburgh Public School System. There was much competition among the area high schools where Betsill grew up. He decided to move in with some relatives in order attend Homestead High School to play sports. He graduated from Homestead High School in 1954, where he was recognized as a star athlete who received four letters in athletics. He was the captain of both basketball and football teams, as well as participated in volleyball and track.
Betsill received a scholarship and attended the University of Steubenville where he played basketball for the Steubenville Barons. During his college career, he was declared All-Ohio, and All Tri-State in Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. He also held the title of Little All-American for two years, as well as holding the record for the "top rebounder" for small colleges. He averaged to have more than 20 rebounds per game. In 1958, Betsill received a Bachelor of Science degree.
After College, the Boston Celtics picked "Big" Jim in the second draft round for the NBA. However, Big Jim was unable to play because shortly after he was drafted into the military. While in the United States Army, he played for the All-Army Basketball team. He also tried for the USA Olympic team in 1960.Unfortunately, his professional basketball career was derailed by knee problems that developed during his time in the army, 1958-1960.
After being discharged from the army, he briefly was employed by the Jefferson County Child Welfare Department. Soon after, Betsill returned to Pittsburgh working as a youth counselor in a program for adjudicated juveniles in Raccoon State Park. In the early 1960s, James W. Smith Betsill moved to Wilkinsburg, PA to work for Action Housing. He began a career of public service.
Jim was a community activist in the neighborhoods of Wilkinsburg and Hazelwood in the 1960s. In the OEO program (War on Poverty) he was a neighborhood organizer for a community of 25,000. He worked with the Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) where he was an instrumental force. He organized many protests and pickets, which helped break the color barrier in several powerful unions, such as the Ironworkers and Tarrazos, and was a peacemaker in Hazelwood when riots broke out in 1969. He trained men to take and pass the apprenticeship examination.
In 1972, Betsill accepted the position of Western Regional Director of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Corrections Education in Harrisburg where he remained until his retirement in 1997. He was responsible for establishing curriculum- programming guidelines for educational opportunities that allowed an inmate to progress in learning, from non-reader to post secondary education. He attended and was a speaker at many graduations for those inmates that received their GED
Betsill was married to Mary Harris and they had four children; two daughters, Tracy R and Michelle C.; and two sons, James P. and Michael E. He also had five sisters and three brothers, as well as five grandchildren. Until 1979, James W. Smith Betsill was known as James Smith. At this time, he and his family decided to change their name from Smith to Betsill. From then on, he and his family went by the name Betsill. As well as being a famous athlete, activist, and administrator, he was devoted to family life. On May 5, 2002, James W. Smith Betsill died in Harrisburg Hospital after a period of illness.
Scope and Content Notes
The James W. Smith Betsill papers are housed in two archival boxes and are arranged alphabetically. The papers include Family Diplomas, Newspaper Clippings, Personal Materials, State Correctional Institution- Department of Education, and Resolutions, Proclamations, and Memorials.
Included in Family Diplomas are the High School Certificates of Michael Eric Betsill and Tonya Charmaine Walton, both from Harrisburg High School.
The Newspaper Clippings date from 1954-1978. The articles are about the basketball career of James W. Smith Betsill when he was in the US Army, the University of Steubenville, and the community of Hazelwood. The bulk of the clippings are from 1954-1958, when Betsill played for the Steubenville Barons.
The Personal Materials range from 1951-1997 and are sorted into any certificates and awards presented to Betsill, as well as any important documents that he may have received, such as his high school and college awards and diplomas. Correspondence with his family members and business contacts can also be found. The general content of these professional letters include letters from the Committee for Community Progress, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Justice, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Correction, the Chuck Cooper Roundball Classic, and Ironmen Basketball.
Betsill's work in the Department of Education, in State Correctional Institutions was a very important part of his life. Contained in this subseries are any documents that reflected his work, such as the Competency Assessment forms, membership in the Correctional Education Association (CEA), his speeches at graduation ceremonies, and his role in the Vocational Advisory Committee. The dates range from 1991-1998.
Various resolutions and proclamations were declared after the death of Betsill in 2002, including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, the City of Steubenville, and the City of Pittsburgh. Recognition of Betsill's life and accomplishments are all found in this subseries.
Arrangement
- The James W. Smith Betsill papers are housed in two archival boxes and are arranged alphabetically. The papers include Family Diplomas, Newspaper Clippings, Personal Materials, State Correctional Institution- Department of Education, and Resolutions, Proclamations, and Memorials.
Conditions Governing Access
No Restrictions.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mary Harris Betsill, wife of James Smith Betsill, on December 3, 2003.
Preferred Citation
James W. Smith Betsill Papers, 1951-2002, MSS#400, Library and Archives Division, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Christine M. Crame on February 21, 2004.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Separated Materials
James W. Smith Betsill Photographs, MSP#400
James W. Smith Betsill Oversize Papers, MSO#400 (includes newspaper clippings encased in clear laminated plastic that depicts the Steubenville Barons from 1955-1957).
James W. Smith Betsill Audiovisual Collection, MSC #400. This contains a keynote speech Betsill presented at a Graduation Ceremony at the State Correctional Institution Greene. (SCI Greene) in 1997. It is located within MSS #400.
Subjects
- University of Steubenville
- Franciscan University (Ohio)
- Pennsylvania, Bureau of Corrections
- Betsill, James W. Smith
- Smith, James
- Betsill, Tracy R.
- Heggs, Michelle C. Betsill
- Betsill, James P.
- Betsill, Michael E.
- Walton, Tonya C.
- Riots--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh--Hazelwood--1969
- Basketball
- Basketball Players