Help Save Our History

Heart-pounding triumphs, heart-wrenching set-backs and heartfelt efforts to change the course of history … “IF NOT FOR THEM” is projected to be a multiple-episode documentary series that captures the historical and personal stories of those that built the foundation of college women’s basketball through the decades preceding the NCAA taking over in the early 80s.

Profound, personal interviews of the legends, and those close to them, conducted by veteran women’s basketball broadcaster Brenda VanLengen will anchor the documentary series. The first-hand accounts, along with historical photos, videos and media accounts, will preserve and illuminate the compelling stories that are fading away or have never been told.

Since 2021, over 125 interviews have been conducted of those who won championships and played, coached or were administrators in the 1950s, 60s, 70s and early 80s.

All donations to the project are tax deductible because the series will be produced under the guidance and fiscal sponsorship of the nonprofit agency, Do Good Productions. Do Good Productions is operated by a group of volunteers including Academy Award winning producer, Kevin Willmott. The mission of Do Good Productions is to produce and disseminate films that raise the public’s awareness with respect to important issues facing both local and regional communities as well as our nation.

Veteran women’s basketball broadcaster, Brenda VanLengen, is leading the “IF NOT FOR THEM” documentary project with advisement from a diverse team of women’s basketball enthusiasts. VanLengen has announced over 1,400 women’s basketball games on ESPN, Fox Sports and other networks throughout her 31-year broadcasting career and has gained the respect and trust of generations of coaches and athletes. She coached basketball at the high school and college levels after twice earning Academic All-American honors playing basketball at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, all of which would not have been possible IF NOT FOR THEM.

Filming and early post-production work was completed by Real Media in Overland Park, Kansas. Subsequent editing, post-production work and interviews are being completed by Covered Bridges Studios and Cut Print Lock as they transform thousands of hours of captured footage into a cohesive, entertaining documentary series. Current players, leaders and cultural figures are being interviewed to draw the history to modern audiences.

If you have questions about the remaining fundraising goals and how you can join the team, email Brenda VanLengen at Brenda.vanlengen@gmail.com.