Jenna and Matthew Mitchell continue to give back to women’s basketball

Matthew Mitchell said women’s basketball put him in contact with some “amazing” people. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Former Kentucky women’s basketball coach Matthew Mitchell and his wife Jenna have donated $55,000 to a women’s basketball docuseries “If Not For Them.” It is a story about the forgotten women who changed the world through the love of their sport.

“If Not For Them” explores the history of women’s basketball through the eyes of the players, coaches and administrators of the AAU, CIAW, AIAW, NCAA and other organizations. Brenda VanLengen, who is a former NCAA Division I basketball coach turned Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, is producing a multi-episode docuseries tracing the sport from the early days in Iowa high schools to the passage of Title IX and beyond.

VanLengen said the donation by the Mitchells has assured the crew can travel to get final interviews and content needed to finish the project.

“We hope their gift will inspire others to help us continue and complete this important project,” VanLengen, who has called over 1,200 women’s games for various TV networks, said.

Mitchell said it was easy for him and his wife to help tell an “important story” like this.

“Jenna and I are supporting this and we encourage others to give to this incredibly important project. Women’s basketball brought us in contact with some of the most amazing people on the planet,” Mitchell said. “We’ve been inspired by administrators, coaches, players, and fans of our great game. We are indebted to this great game and we are excited to support the storytelling that will bring it to life in an impactful way.”

Mitchell resigned before the start of last season. He reached the Elite Eight twice and was a two-time SEC Coach of the Year.