Long before anyone dreamed of Title IX, before the era of females earning college athletic scholarships, some female athletes achieved outstanding success despite limitations not faced by their
male counterparts. Helen Doherty belongs in this elite company, as she excelled at the national level as well as locally. A 1954 graduate of Ursuline Academy, Helen was a three-sport athlete
(basketball, softball, and track). Daughter of one DSMHOF Inductee and sister to two others, Helen had sports in her genes. Helen was the first female to play on a CYO boy’s baseball team. Bill Kapa,
DSMHOF inductee, was her coach.

Helen played basketball for St. Ann’s CYO team in 1949, then starred for the Lucians Industrial League champs from 1960-1963. In 1960, she was the leading scorer on the Blue Chicks championship
team of the Parks and Recreation League. Helen played for the Philadelphia Aces, coached by DSMHOF inductee Ace Hoffstein in the Women’s World Tournaments of 1964-1968. The team won all five
tournaments. Helen was selected World Basketball Association All-American in 1965.

She founded and coached Ursuline Academy’s basketball team from 1955-1971. Helen also played softball for 25 years for seven ASA teams. She won the Ft. Pitt Packing team Outstanding Player award
in 1953. In 1965 she won the Sportsmanship Award. Helen played in many regional tournaments, playing third base and shortstop. Helen also participated in track, winning the 50 and 100-yard dash
events and the 440-yard relay in 1954, and a pentathlon in 1958. Helen received a CYO plaque for dedicated service in 1967.