Comments on: The All American Red Heads, Women’s Professional Basketball Team, 1936-1986

By: Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 12:52:57 +0000

In reply to Erin S..

Your best source is likely the Basketball Hall of Fame. Someone there would know where other photos might be. https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/all-american-red-heads/
I trust you’ve done a general search online. There are great photos on many sites online.

You might also take a look at John Molina’s book—many photos in there. New copies are expensive but the used copies would serve your purpose: https://www.amazon.com/Barnstorming-America-Stories-Pioneers-Basketball/dp/1942613563

Good luck…it’s great to have a family mission!

Kate

By: Erin S.

Erin S. — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 23:43:47 +0000

Hello! Thank you for the lovely article about the Redheads! I’ve discovered that my grandfather’s first cousin, Emogene Smith, was on the team at one time and I would love more information about her time with the team. My grandfather just passed away at age 100 last October.

Do you have any suggestions for how to find team photos of the Redheads through the years? I’m looking for a photo of Emogene Smith, who probably played in the very early 1940’s, shortly after graduating high school in Edgewood, Iowa in 1940.

Thanks again!

By: Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 14:13:00 +0000

In reply to MaryAnn Cottmeyer.

Thank you for sharing those lovely memories….I’m sorry for your loss.

Loved the Globetrotter lifting him! hahha

By: MaryAnn Cottmeyer

MaryAnn Cottmeyer — Sun, 16 Feb 2025 23:37:40 +0000

My dad & uncle Bob played them in Yelm, Washington in late 1930s or early 1940s. My dad just died 1-28-2025 at 102. It was one of his best memories & his team lost. He said they were tough as nails.

Yelm town team also played the Harlem globetrotters about same time. He said he was first one in yelm to dunk a basketball because a globetrotter lifted him up to the basketball rim. He only weighed about 120 lbs.

Good old days

By: Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 16:56:50 +0000

In reply to Kay Jenkins. That's wonderful. Thanks for posting. Women in sports should have been a natural thing. It's great we had these pioneers to show what could be done.

By: Kay Jenkins

Kay Jenkins — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 15:23:57 +0000

My sister in law played for the Redheads in the 1970s. Jayne Jenkins from Oklahoma. Great stories

By: Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 16:33:08 +0000

In reply to Becky Harp Pritchett. Thank you so much for posting! I can only imagine how much fun it was to be on the team...and to be good enough to play AND be funny! I hope you have photographs to show your grandchildren. That's a wonderful legacy!

By: Becky Harp Pritchett

Becky Harp Pritchett — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 03:39:59 +0000

Becky Harp Pritchett here. Played for RedHeads 1965-68
was Team Comedienne. What an experience! To travel, play a game I loved, and get paid for it; I was living the dream.
Was an honor to be present as our Team was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame; just icing on the cake. I”m now 75, retired RN (32 yrs) and involved with my church, my community, and my precious grands. Thankful for my 15 min of fame.

By: Kate Kelly

Kate Kelly — Thu, 18 May 2023 13:09:49 +0000

In reply to Lacie Gillespie. Thank you! I'll get in touch with you be email. I appreciate the lead.

By: Lacie Gillespie

Lacie Gillespie — Sun, 14 May 2023 19:11:56 +0000

Zethel Keith/Matthews, mentioned in the article above, is alive and living in the great town of Coushatta, Louisiana. She would love to tell her story I’m sure! A trip down memory lane would do her good. Email for a phone contact if interested.