"In 1926 the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team was founded, more than 20 years before Black men were allowed on professional basketball teams. But this squad composed of only African American players gradually gained popularity in the basketball world. When their founder, Abe Saperstein, died 40 years later, the team struggled to maintain that popularity. Over the next two decades the Harlem Globetrotters team was sold twice, and by 1984 the new owner was looking for ways to freshen up the performance."
"In 1985, the team put out a newspaper ad offering tryouts to women. Of the 60 women that responded to the ad, only 20 moved on to the second round of tryouts, and one of the players at the top of the list was University of Kansas basketball star Lynette Woodard. The Wichita, Kan., native told NPR that she started playing basketball with her brother and was inspired by her cousin, Harlem Globetrotter Hubert "Geese" Ausbie."
The Harlem Globetrotters were founded in 1926 as an all-African American team and gained popularity despite racial exclusion from professional leagues. After founder Abe Saperstein died, the team struggled and was sold twice; by 1984 new ownership sought to refresh performances. In 1985 the team advertised tryouts for women; 60 answered, 20 advanced, and University of Kansas star Lynette Woodard ranked near the top. Woodard grew up playing with her brother and was inspired by cousin Hubert "Geese" Ausbie. She captained Team USA to 1984 Olympic gold and held the NCAA career scoring mark at Kansas until 2024. The Globetrotters announced a new lineup on Oct. 7, 1985.
Read at www.npr.org
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