VIDEO: The Dramatic Escape of Women’s Basketball Players from The Philippines

Kathleen Ethington. (Howard Megdal photo)
Kathleen Ethington. (Howard Megdal photo)

Kathleen Ethington tells the story of her mother, pioneering basketball star Katherine “Kay” Kirkpatrick, who charted her own path as a professional basketball player in the 1930s. She and her two brothers attended Baylor University. Her brothers played basketball on scholarship. Kirkpatrick, decades before the Kim Mulkey era, had to do it herself.

Neuman’s story is part of the new book by John Molina, “Barnstorming America”, a comprehensive look at the women who made a basketball life for themselves before Title IX.

Listen as Kathleen relates the story of Kay escaping from The Philippines as part of an overseas trip!