Tryout recap
Published on March 16, 2002 under Women's Professional Football League (WPFL)
San Diego Sunfire News Release
SAN DIEGO - (March 16, 2002) -The SunFire answered the question today. Women's football is no passing fancy. In addition to San Diego's current roster of players, an additional 87 women were at Morley Field today for the SunFire's 1st tryout of the season.
Last year, The SunFire attracted hundreds of women to its tryouts - setting records across the Women's American Football League. This year, however, Owner/General Manager, Donna Fox, says they got exactly what they wanted. "Last season it was all quantity-we drew a lot of curious women who wanted to learn about football. This year - it's quality! We saw so many pure athletes today - the coaches could barely contain themselves."
With the majority of the roster still intact - competition for starting spots will be hot and heavy. This year the SunFire will sweeten the pot for starters. The team will pay its starting lineups for the upcoming season. The exact amount is yet to be determined. "It won't be much, but it's a start and it's something we can build on says SunFire Director of Football Operations, Darrell McGaughy."
The SunFire finished at 5 and 5, completing a successful first year of professional football both on and off the gridiron. San Diego's Superwomen although not the champs are considered the WAFL's best in marketing and fan support. The SunFire, hosts of the First Women's World Championship, ended its inaugural campaign with a trip to Hawaii to play the Legends in Honolulu.
Athletes will be notified by March 23rd whether they're invited to SunFire training camp. The names will be posted on the SunFire's website. SunFire Football
What's New! Head Coach Michael Suggett - is in his 9th year of coaching. Coach Suggett is also the Defensive Coordinator for the San Diego SunFire. He was the former Running Backs Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Hilltop High from 1988-91. A graduate of Central Washington and an Accountant by trade, Coach Suggett was the Manager of Game Day Operations for the SunFire in its first season. He also Coached at Sweetwater High School from 97-99, where he was the Varsity Defensive Line Coach as well as Defensive Coordinator and Special Teams Coach for the Sweetwater Junior Varsity.
Time Change: The SunFire plans to play it's home games at 3pm vice 7pm in hopes of attracting more young girls to the games.
Pay! - The SunFire will pay its starters a per game stipend.
The season is tentatively scheduled to kick off in late August instead of November as before.
The SunFire will play a 10 game 12-week season in the Pacific Conference against the Arizona Caliente, California Quake, LA Lasers, Sacramento Sirens, Oakland Banshees and the San Francisco Tsunami.
The season schedule will be announced in July.
For more information, please call the SunFire offices at 619-294-4632.
Women's Professional Football League Stories from March 16, 2002
- Tryout recap - San Diego Sunfire
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