Long before the WNBA, the All American Red Heads were a barnstorming troupe that entertained the masses for 50 years and are generally regarded as the first women's professional basketball team. A sort of all-women's version of Harlem Globetrotters, from 1936-86 they traveled across North America playing (and usually beating) local men's teams. In 1936, C. M. "Ole" Olson started the team, which would play around the country until 1986. The name of the team came from Olson's wife, who owned a number of beauty salons in the south. They exhibited the kind of flair and wizardry made popular by the Globetrotters years later and staked their claim as the most imaginative and innovative women's basketball team ever. (As the ownership of the team changed, the earliest version of the team known as Olsen's All American Red Heads later became Moore's All American Red Heads.) They would routinely shoot free throws while on their knees, and make them. They could dribble with their knees. And some of the shots were almost beyond description: one specialty was a shot where the ball would be held between a player's ankles, who would then jump and kick her legs back; the ball would fly up, over her head, and often through the basket! And their contribution has not been forgotten. At the 1998 Women's Final Four, Sears, and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association paid tribute to the team. Several Red Heads were also invited to lay bricks at the recent groundbreaking of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Glenda Hall was a staple of the Redheads and was also a player-coach. Inside the button tail is a red player ID label with: G. Hall stitched in white. There is another name handwritten in black marker inside the back of the neck. Large logo patch on the left breast. WORLD CHAMPIONS patch on the left sleeve. ALL AMERICAN RED HEADS is done in white tackle twill on the cape and in red tackle twill on white plate on the back. Accompanied by matching pants and stirrups. This ensemble is properly tagged, presented to us as player-worn and in our opinion shows excellent wear. Accompanied by a team photo.