Before helping the All-American Red Heads put men in their place on a nightly basis, Connie Howe struck a few blows for gender equality much closer to home.

Howe vividly remembers squaring off against her older brother, Mike, in the Breezy Acres subdivision in Rock Falls. She stood 5-foot-3, a full foot shorter than her big brother.

That didnt stop me, Howe said. I was like, I can beat you. I think that kind of made me tough. We played every minute we could.

This evening, Rock Falls' very own will be one of about 60 All-American Red Heads in Springfield, Mass., for the team's induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. The team's pending induction was announced April 2.

Its a very exciting feeling, Howe said. It will be the thrill of a lifetime.

The Red Heads were founded in 1936 by C.M. Olson and helped spearhead the progression of women in sports until the team folded in 1986.

Higher education

There were no girls high school sports when Howe graduated from Rock Falls in 1970.

Needless to say, pursuing a physical education degree at Southern Illinois University was a game-changer.

"That was really when my eyes became open that girls could play sports, Howe said.

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Howe, Red Heads to be inducted into Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame