All-American Red Heads
Inducted:
2012
Team Stats:
Team Players:
Mel Daniels
Katrina McClain
Reggie Miller
Ralph Sampson
Chet Walker
Jamaal Wilkes
Coaches:
Cathy Rush
Lidia Alexeeva
Don Nelson
Contributors:
Donald Barksdale
Phil Knight
The All-American Red Heads, founded in 1936 by C.M. “Ole” Olson and his wife Doyle, were pioneers of women’s basketball and one of the most iconic barnstorming teams in sports history. Known for their trademark red hair—often dyed or in wigs—the Red Heads entertained crowds nationwide by taking on men’s teams in full-court games under men’s rules, a bold departure from the limited opportunities available to women in sports at the time.
Traveling tens of thousands of miles each year, they combined athletic skill with showmanship, much like the Harlem Globetrotters. Over their 50-year run, the Red Heads played more than 200 games annually, helping to break down barriers and inspire future generations of female athletes. Their impact went far beyond the scoreboard, proving that women could compete at the highest levels of basketball.
In 2012, the All-American Red Heads were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, securing their legacy as trailblazers for women’s basketball.
Awards & Records:
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2012)
- Considered the “female Globetrotters” of basketball
- One of the longest-running women’s basketball teams in history
- Inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame
- Inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame
Teams Record:
Active Years:
1936–1986
Games Played:
200+ per season