Before The WNBA (by Carrie Fleharty)

THERE WERE THE RED HEADS

Got red hair? Are you a girl? Can you shoot and score a free throw from your knees? How about being able to take a basketball between the ankles, jump and kick your legs back sending the ball into the air, over your head, and through the hoop? If the answer is yes, then you could have been part of the FIRST women’s professional basketball team that reigned from 1936-1986.

Who are these women basketball players? The All American Red Heads barnstormed America filling gyms with wonderment and amazement. Their basketball prowess would make the men of the NBA proud. They spent nights in nearly every corner of America and beyond. They entertained the masses for 50 years, and now showcased in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tennessee.

History of Women’s Basketball

Women’s basketball goes back to the beginning when it was invented by James Naismith in 1891. Only one year later Sendra Berenson, a woman’s gymnastics teacher at Smith College adapted the rules, and taught her students the game. Naturally an out cry arose. Women weren’t supposed to throw balls. Women weren’t even legal citizens yet! Women were considered the weaker sex, and needed protection, not exercise. After all women needed to have children, and playing sports was deemed harmful to the woman’s physiology. Besides that women were brought up to become a wife, and take care of the husband.

The Name

The All American Red Heads was started in 1935 by a man named C.M. “Ole” Olson, a player, coach, booking agent, and publicity man. His wife Doyle owned a chain of beauty salons around Cassville, Missouri. Girls’ basketball was growing in popularity. Several young ladies who worked for Mrs. Olson were extraordinary basketball players. They formed a basketball team and were moderately successful.

Two of their players were natural red heads. One night in 1935, as a prank, the rest of the team decided to dye their hair red. You can guess what happened next. Yes, the team became known as the Red Heads. First they were known as the Cassville Red Heads, and then took the name of the Missouri Red Heads. Prominent women players from the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) joined the team. Olson knew he was on to something big. He renamed the team the All American Red Heads, and proceeded to take them on the road in 1936.

Requirements

Playing basketball well and having fabulous ball handling skills was the first requirement in trying out for the team. If any of the women didn’t have natural read hair, they she either had to wear a wig or dye her hair red. After all, this was the team’s calling card. She also had to wear makeup, dress nicely, and she had to project an image of a glamorous lady.

Playing Ball

The Red Heads “got game” and became an instant attraction. The women traveled constantly with two teams, and sometimes three. Their popularity soared in the mid 40’s. The Red Heads enchanted everyone with their skills and wizardry. Their games raised thousands of dollars for many charities from the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars to the Lions Clubs.

On the court the Red Heads surpassed any basketball anyone had seen. When they weren’t playing comedic roles, they were playing basketball at its best. Armed with an array of trick plays, the women could pass, handle the ball and shoot. These women worked tirelessly to improve their game even with their natural talents, and wonderful basketball skills. These women were special, and they showed it.

Straight basketball was played at every game for at least the first quarter. Then the game became entertainment. Special basketball skills were displayed at half-time to get the audience ready for a show. Routinely the Red Heads shot and made free throws while on their knees. They often dribbled the ball while on their knees. Most of the shots were beyond description. Faye Mason held the ball between her ankles, jumped and kicked her legs back. The ball would fly up, over her head, and often go into the hoop. The Red Heads became the most innovative women’s basketball team ever. Only the Harlem Globetrotters were comparable.

Records

The Red heads played superb ball. They competed against men’s semi-pro and amateur teams, and won 80 percent of the time. From 1936-1973 they never won fewer than 100 games a year. In 1953 they won 134 games. In 1972, multiple All American Red Heads teams won 558 games and lost 84 games, and they were all against men’s teams. Lorene More scored 35,425 points while she played with the team for 11 years. Since they were barnstorming from town to town, the word got out that they were not just good but spectacular. The team wouldn’t have made it if they had played poorly. Each town reported to the next town on the team’s amazing abilities.

Where are they now?

They are no longer donning their red wigs, or flirting with the referees or opponents. But the contribution of the All American Red Heads is not forgotten. In 1986 their reign ended, but their influence has dribbled its way into basketball history. In June of 1999, the All American Red Heads were honored with their own exhibit at he Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

Women’s basketball became an Olympic sport in 1976. An attempt to establish a national professional league was made in 1978. But three seasons later it died. Another unsuccessful attempt was made in 1984. Call it lack of sponsorship, lack of publicity, who knows. But, today we have the WNBA. When watching today’s pro women play, remember the struggle, and support those teams. Remember that a team of red-haired women barnstormed the country and kept women’s basketball alive in the 21st century.

Carrie Fleharty is a Library Media Specialist for a high shcool in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She loves sports, and recreational activies, but often she can be found on the computer hounding away a story, an article, an essay or a poem. Carrie's mom was one time recruited for the Red Heads. Carrie often wonders how much different her Mom's life would have been if she had been given this opportunity to play. She loved basketball.