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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

A Women\'s point of view on the AFL

April 20, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


Not just men attend arena football games women do also. Women are just as big fans of the AFL as men are. I had the opportunity to talk to several female AFL fans across the country and see why they are fans of the AFL.

Name: Sandy Hamilton Where are you from: Castle Rock, Colorado Favorite AFL team: Philadelphia Soul

Why are you a fan of the AFL?

Honestly I became interested in the AFL when I heard Jon Bon Jovi was buying a team being a huge Bon Jovi fan. I am a big sports fan and football is my favorite to watch. My family has NFL watch parties with our neighbors every Sunday. I didn't really follow the Crush too much when the team started here last year because I am not a John Elway fan. Jon Bon Jovi buying the team started my interest but that is not why I have stuck with it.

The AFL is a great family sport. I can afford to take my family to multiple games a year. I like that the players are accessible. I had the pleasure of meeting the Crush's Rich Young a few weeks ago. He is the nicest guy you would ever want to meet.

Now I am actually becoming a John Elway fan because he brought the AFL to Colorado. I also like the fast pace of the games. My 7-year-old daughter was even interested through the whole game because there was not as much down time as with the NFL. By seasons end I will have been to three games in Colorado and three games in Philadelphia.

Name: Mary Carroll Where are you from: Buffalo, New York Favorite AFL team: Buffalo Destroyers (but don't have a favorite team now since they moved to Columbus)

Why are you a fan of the AFL?

I like the speed and intensity of arena football. I like that the players make themselves available to the fans at the end of the game, none of that "prima donna" attitude a lot of NFL players have. I like the atmosphere at the games...the t-shirts thrown into the stands, the contests during the games...it keeps people involved and entertained. Arena football has something for everyone, for every age.

Name: Kathie Jeffries Where are you from: Manayunk, New Jersey Favorite AFL team: Philadelphia Soul

Why are you a fan of the AFL?

This is my first year following arena football. I've been watching NFL football forever, and just found about arena football through an e-mail from bonjovi.com. (Yes I am one of those Jon Bon Jovi fans).

I decided to buy season tickets to this new arena football team so my husband and I could be involved in a Philly sports team, since my other favorite teams are in New York (and I won't convert!) I love football so I figured I would like arena football just as much, once I learned the different rules. I have to say that I love arena football, and like it more than the NFL. I think arena football is so exciting to watch, much faster moving than the NFL. I actually watch the other arena football games on the weekend, especially when my husband's working.

I think I prefer the arena football because I'm so close to the action. My seats are pretty close to the field and there is so much excitement and interaction. The fan support at the first game was disappointing, but by the next game they seemed to get into it. The last game, against Dallas, was the best! I think it was the most exciting game and had the most fan enthusiasm I've seen so far.

One thing I love about the Soul is that we can get the players autographs after the game, and that they come out for the pep rally's, etc. I've gotten pictures with several players, and met a bunch of them, like my favorite player Ricky Ross, to the extent that he knows who I am and says hi! or comes over to shake my hand, which is so cool!! I've always had favorite players for all my sports teams, but have only once been able to get their autograph. Not only have I gotten tons of autographs and pictures of the Soul players, but also I can hang out with the players and have a normal conversation with them. They are so down-to-earth and I think that is awesome!

Name: Nancy Morris Where are you from: Orlando, Florida Favorite AFL team: Orlando Predators

Why are you a fan of the AFL?

With the smaller indoor field the game is so much more intense and in your face than any other. I work all week, take care of the house and the family so on the weekend when there's a game it is my therapy session. I go there and scream and yell and curse and just have a great time. It's a great way to forget about everything else and just concentrate on what's happening on the field.

For me also, since I know all the players on my team it is very personal when rooting on these guys.

All I can say is I love arena football because it's great entertainment.

Name: Carrie Morgan Where are you from: Palm Harbor, Florida Favorite AFL team: Tampa Bay Storm (a fan since June 22, 1991 their second home game)

Why are you a fan of the AFL?

Easy access to the players: like talking to them after the game, getting autographs and photos, Fan club events and Team events where players, coaches, office staff and cheerleaders attend. They begin to be like an extended family after awhile.

Watching the game from just a few feet away is a blast. You can really see and hear the hits on the field. The music between plays is energizing, and the freebies being fired into the stands really gets the crowd going. The high scoring offense and hard-hitting defense is what really makes this game the best.

The emotional roller coaster of the game, cheering, yelling, jumping and booing leaves you exhausted, as if you played the game yourself.

Storm Fans are the most dedicated bunch of fans, through wins and losses. We love our Storm!

Name: Alexandria Meachum Where are you from: Grand Rapids, Michigan Favorite AFL team Grand Rapids Rampage

Why are you a fan of the AFL?

I love the AFL because the players are down to earth and the game is at a fast pace. I have been able to friendships with a couple dozen players and I don't think I could do that with the NFL. The fact that if the ball goes in the stands your able to keep it, unlike in the NFL.

Name: Nancy Lee Where are you from: Avon, Indiana Favorite AFL team: Indiana Firebirds

Why are you a fan of the AFL? I became a fan of the AFL when the Firebirds first came to Indy 4 years ago. I actually didn't know much about arena football until then. I saw the advertising for the team at a Pacers game and decided to go see it because it looked like a good football game and fun, too.

I will tell you that I was hooked the first game that I went to. I have not missed a game at home since I have become a fan. I am totally hooked on the AFL. I look forward all year for the AFL season and for the Firebirds' team. I do manage to keep updated on all the other teams in the league, and I do follow a few other teams because of some of the players that were previously on the Birds and have moved on to another team.

Arena football is absolutely the most exciting, jump-out-of-your-seat fun, hard hits, good music, great fans, awesome athletes and where else can you go to a game and get a game ball and a player in your lap? I encourage sports fans to go check out arena football live in action to see what it's all about. I tell them once they do go, they will always be a fan. Each year gets more exciting and the league is doing a good job. I am very thankful that Indianapolis has an arena football team – the Indiana Firebirds!!

Name: Julie Lieberman Where are you from: Los Angeles, California Favorite AFL team: Los Angeles, Avengers

Why are you a fan of the AFL?

I am a huge football fan (NFL) and needed a "football fix" in the off-season. When we heard that the Avengers were coming to town five years ago, we bought season seats without knowing anything about arena football. I became a fan instantly.

But, over the years I have come to appreciate and enjoy AFL games for the true sport that it is.

The live, in-person game is like no other professional sport. Its excitement and fan-friendly atmosphere gets all attendees into the game, sports fans or not, men or women, old or young. With the support of local cable networks (Fox Sports Net) and especially NBC, the game has gained greater awareness and grown to new heights. And, with the entry of new teams, like Bon Jovi's Soul and John Elway's Crush, even more people have become fans.

I just love the sport of football, and a high-energy and high-scoring game; arena football is action-packed and filled with sheer strategy and pure athleticism.

Name: Lyn Hughes Where are you from: Phoenix Arizona Favorite AFL team: Arizona Rattlers

Why are you a fan of the AFL?

The AFL has put the fun back in football! The players are allowed to have fun and personalities, and don't get fined for the wrong color socks. Players in the AFL recognize that without the fans they don't have a job. The game is more fast-paced and exciting than the outdoor variety, and the overtime rules are (I think) the best in any football league.

I also had to the chance to interview Ivette Rico, who runs a women's sports site Femmefan.com

She attended the March 20th contest between San Jose and Las Vegas that the SaberCats won 79-62. I had the opportunity to ask her several questions about the AFL.

What was your impression of the game?

I thought the game was fast and loud, with non-stop offense and very little in the way of defense. The fans all seemed to be having a good time and there did not appear to be any problems with fights or unruly fans. It was a good family environment. The game itself felt like a hybrid to me, football played in a small basketball-sized indoor arena with no weather concerns, that seemed a little odd.

I describe the AFL as "mini-me" the smaller version of the big-bad NFL. It also felt like a Generation X concept. Lots of noise, effects, and action, well suited to the generation being raised on IPods and video games.

Is the AFL a good "football fix" during the NFL off-season?

The AFL can be a nice football fix for the football junkie, but only if the fans can develop relationships with the teams. There aren't enough teams or cities in the league, currently, to create rivalries and loyalties. And only time will create the type of passionate fans the NFL currently enjoys.

It seems to be growing in popularity and if the "money-people", namely the NFL, get behind the AFL, it could very well become the NFL's answer to football fans' off-season doldrums. The other ingredient that is critical to the growth of the league is the exposure created by TV. Although, I must add, football purists might resist forming any allegiances to this new game.

What could the AFL do to get more female fans into the game?

I would suggest that if the AFL wants to get female fans "into" the game, that they make a sincere effort to target that market. I would start by sponsoring female fan days, activities for the female fans and AFL "clinics". The AFL seems very responsive to their fans and it surely wouldn't hurt to nurture the female fan base.

I would also suggest that they advertise on my site, www.Femmefan.com, the only site exclusively dedicated to providing a forum for the female sports junkie.

If you have any questions are comments about this article feel free to email me at arenazone@doseofsoul.com and I will be more than happy to get back to you.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 20, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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