Syracuse Sting Win in the Hive With All Female Coaching Staff
September 28, 2004 - Women's Professional Football League (WPFL)
Syracuse Sting News Release
After a sting of losses with male coaches, the sisters are doing it for themselves. The Sting, a women's professional football team, let their former coaching staff go after realizing that no matter what their knowledge of men's football; guys just don't get the women's game. "It might as well be a totally different sport," says owner and now head coach, Cabrina Gilbert. "If you haven't played it, you don't get it. And it was obvious with a win this weekend."
To date, no other team in the WPFL has had an all female coaching staff, but most see it as the wave of the future as women begin to retire from the sport they love and start to teach it. The new coaching staff consists of Gilbert as head coach, Jill Smolinsky, a former 3 year Sting player, as Offensive Coordinator and Lani Miller, former player and one of the original four owners who kept the Sting alive in the first season with Gilbert, as Defensive Coordinator.
The Sting, struggling with a 2-5 record this year, still has a chance of being the wild card team for the WPFL's playoffs. "We have a new five game playoff structure this year," says WPFL Executive Director, and owner of the Dallas Diamonds, Dawn Berndt. "If the Sting can pull off 4 at home, there is a good chance they will hang in there to defend their Easter Division Title."
That would be a great reward for this mostly green team that has endured players quitting before the season started, injuries in the first game of the year, and coaches that fell short for this team. "It's amazing how relaxed the team is now," says Gilbert. "They finally feel like the coaching staff is listening to them and their ideas and suggestions. They aren't met with the attitude of 'you're just girls you don't know football.'" Added Gilbert.
With an attendance of 250, a little lower than last year, each and every fan seemed happy with the change as the Sting rushed for 388 yards to win the game against cross state rivals the New York Dazzles, 47-0. The Sting still has 3 more home games at the Hive, P&C Stadium, kick off at 6pm. Tickets are only $8 for adults, student $5 and kids under 12 are free. This weekend is women's business owners' night. Any women who drop off their business cards get $3 off their adult admission. For More info, visit the teams website; www.SyracuseSting.com.
Women's Professional Football League Stories from September 28, 2004
- Syracuse Sting Win in the Hive With All Female Coaching Staff - Syracuse Sting
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