"Go out there, get hurt and get bloody": Kim Mulkey shows gratitude to parents for enabling "tomboy" behavior among womanhood lessons

Kim Mulkey, the head coach of LSU’s women’s basketball team, has guided her team to a stellar start in SEC play, with commanding wins over Arkansas and Auburn. Yet, beyond her coaching style, Mulkey’s presence on the sidelines has always gained widespread attention.

On Tuesday, Mulkey appeared on 104.5 ESPN to discuss her undefeated team and its upcoming clash with Tennessee. The interview took an introspective turn as Mulkey opened up about the influential role her parents played in shaping her journey from a small-town tomboy in Tickfaw, Louisiana, to an accomplished coach.

Mulkey recounted how her mother encouraged her to pursue what made her happy, regardless of societal norms.

"My mother allowed me to play ball with the boys. She’s like, 'Go out there and get hurt, get bloody, do what you want to do if that makes you happy'," Mulkey said.

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At the same time, her mother provided important lessons about womanhood.

"She just taught me you can do so many things. It’s not just be the little tomboy from Tickfaw, Louisiana," Mulkey reminisced.

"You can be smart and you can graduate valedictorian and you can learn all these things and be a little bit of everything."

The Tigers are set to face the 16th-ranked Tennessee Lady Vols on Thursday in Knoxville. The Lady Vols’ head coach, Kim Caldwell, is preparing for both the game and the arrival of her first child, with a due date of January 20.

LSU aims to extend its winning streak, while Tennessee looks to solidify its position against a top-tier opponent. The game is set to tip off at 6:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on SEC Network.

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Kim Mulkey’s fashion is more than meets the eyes

Over the weekend, Kim Mulkey made a buzz with her choice of attire during LSU’s matchup against Auburn. She sported a sweater that featured a basketball hoop, complete with red netting, a sequined basketball, and a backboard.

The outfit perfectly captured her vibrant personality, coinciding with "Dress Like Kim Mulkey Night" at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, where fans joined in celebrating her bold sense of style. On the other hand, LSU secured a 73-63 victory to maintain their unbeaten streak.

Speaking at a media session earlier this week, Mulkey shared a humorous anecdote that left reporters laughing.

“Look at all the sparkles out there,” she said.

Earlier this season, Mulkey wore a sequin butterfly sweater and a neon pink tiger sweater during her 100th win with LSU.