Who Was Evelyn Gates?
Evelyn Gates (1932-2003), a retired histology technician from KU Medical Center, officiated high school and college volleyball, softball, and basketball over 45 years in the Kansas City area and was a staunch advocate for girls' high school sports.
Evelyn played third base and pitched for the Kansas City Dons, a softball touring team in the 1960's. While officiating high school sports, she was admired by coaches, officials, student athletes, and parents. She was first and foremost a "people person." She loved talking and conversing with everyone she met. She was the first woman in the state of Missouri to officiate a boys' high school varsity basketball game. She officiated the first women's NAIA tournament game held in the Kansas City area.
She was a softball umpire and was elected to the Softball Hall of Fame in Missouri. She officiated in all phases of athletic competition from the state to the national level. She also mentored many women officials in the sports of softball, basketball, and volleyball during the infant stages of the Title IX movement.
Evelyn died of cancer on May 5, 2003. A memorial fund has been established to support the Evelyn Gates Award. Contributions can be made to the Evelyn Gates Memorial Fund, care of Blue Ridge Bank and Trust Company, 4240 Blue Ridge Blvd., Suite 100, Kansas City, MO 64133.