New York Sharks
Encyclopedia
The New York Sharks are a women's American football
team playing out of New York City. They are a member of the Women's Football Alliance
(WFA). They are the longest running and winningest team in women's football history with the honor of having a signed football in the NFL Football Hall of Fame.
In 1999, the Women's Professional Football League
(WPFL) was formed. It consisted of two teams, the Minnesota Vixens and the Lake Michigan Minx. They traveled the country playing each other on what was called the "No Limits" Tour. They had heard about the success of the Long Island Sharks and challenged them to a full contact, tackle football game.
The Sharks accepted the challenge and with two months to prepare, converted their flag football team to a tackle football team. On Saturday, December 11, 1999, the Minnesota Vixens came to New York to take on the Sharks. The Vixens were favorited having played 4 games already, having a 2-2 record.
The Sharks were coached by former New York Jet
Bobby Jackson
. Before 300 fans on a windy day at Mitchel Field, Long Island the Sharks surprised Minnesota, defeating them 12-6. The Sharks recorded two touchdown
passes by quarterback
Val Halesworth. One score was on a long pass to Natalie Jufer that led to a 71-yard touchdown. The other score was an 18 yard pass to Valerie Monaco.
Independent Women's Football League
In 2007 season, the Sharks played their home games at the Aviator Sports Complex
at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, New York. They played an 8 game regular season schedule.
|-
| colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (No Limits Barnstorming)
|-
|1999 || 1 || 0 || 0 || -- || Won Exhibition Game (Minnesota
)
|-
| colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (WPFL)
|-
|2000 || 4 || 2 || 0 || 2nd NC East || Lost National Conference Qualifier (New England
)
|-
| colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (Independent)
|-
|2001 || 6 || 1 || 0 || -- || --
|-
| colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (IWFL)
|-
|2002 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 1st East || Won IWFL Championship (Austin
)
|-
|2003 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC Mid Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Championship (Bay State
)
Lost IWFL Championship (Sacramento
)
|-
|2004 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC Mid Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Chicago
)
Won Eastern Conference Championship (Tampa Bay)
Lost IWFL Championship (Sacramento
)
|-
|2005 || 10 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC Mid Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Southern Maine)
Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta
)
|-
|2006 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC Mid Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Miami
)
Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta
)
|-
|2007 || 6 || 2 || 0 || 1st EC North Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Manchester)
Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta
)
|-
|2008 || 6 || 2 || 0 || 2nd Tier I EC North Atlantic || --
|-
|2009 || 4 || 4 || 0 || 3rd Tier I EC North Atlantic || --
|-
|2010 || 7 || 1 || 0 || 2nd Tier I EC Northeast || Lost Northeast Division Championship (Boston
)
|-
| colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (WFA)
|-
|2011 || 5 || 3 || 0 || 2nd NC North || --
|-
!Totals || 87 || 22 || 0
|colspan="2"| (including playoffs)
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team playing out of New York City. They are a member of the Women's Football Alliance
Women's Football Alliance
The Women's Football Alliance is a full-contact Women's American football league which began play in the spring of 2009. They have now completed three full seasons and grew to over 60 teams slated for the 2011 season. The women play 11 person tackle football games with rules that basically mirror...
(WFA). They are the longest running and winningest team in women's football history with the honor of having a signed football in the NFL Football Hall of Fame.
Staff
As of the 2011 season the coaching staff include:- Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator - Darnell StapletonDarnell StapletonDarnell Robert Stapleton is an American football offensive lineman who is currently retired due to knee injuries. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
of the Pittsburgh Steelers - Defensive Coordinator - Michael Pielech
- Assistant Coach - Greg Solla
- Assistant Coach - Anthony Rea
- Assistant Coach - Rob Miller
- Assistant Coach - Nick Vitagliano
First full-contact game
The New Yorks Sharks originally started as a women's flag football team called the Long Island Sharks. They played in international tournaments and were national champions.In 1999, the Women's Professional Football League
Women's Professional Football League
The Women's Professional Football League is the original and longest operating women's professional American football league in the United States. Now with teams across the United States, the WPFL had its first game in 1999 with just two original teams: the Lake Michigan Minx and the Minnesota...
(WPFL) was formed. It consisted of two teams, the Minnesota Vixens and the Lake Michigan Minx. They traveled the country playing each other on what was called the "No Limits" Tour. They had heard about the success of the Long Island Sharks and challenged them to a full contact, tackle football game.
The Sharks accepted the challenge and with two months to prepare, converted their flag football team to a tackle football team. On Saturday, December 11, 1999, the Minnesota Vixens came to New York to take on the Sharks. The Vixens were favorited having played 4 games already, having a 2-2 record.
The Sharks were coached by former New York Jet
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Bobby Jackson
Bobby Jackson (cornerback)
Robert Charles "Bobby" Jackson is a former cornerback for the National Football League New York Jets, retiring with 21 career interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries....
. Before 300 fans on a windy day at Mitchel Field, Long Island the Sharks surprised Minnesota, defeating them 12-6. The Sharks recorded two touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
passes by quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Val Halesworth. One score was on a long pass to Natalie Jufer that led to a 71-yard touchdown. The other score was an 18 yard pass to Valerie Monaco.
Independent Women's Football LeagueIndependent Women's Football LeagueThe Independent Women's Football League was founded in 2000, and began play in 2001.IWFL founders began with the goal to establish a quality women's football league that would be respected as the top level of women's tackle football in the world....
In 2007 season, the Sharks played their home games at the Aviator Sports ComplexAviator Sports and Recreation
Aviator Sports and Events Center is a concession for the National Park Service operating in New York City’s historic first municipal airport, Floyd Bennett Field, which opened its hangars in 1931 and was decommissioned in 1972. Floyd Bennett Field in Southeast Brooklyn is now part of the 4th most...
at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, New York. They played an 8 game regular season schedule.
Season-By-Season
(not including Long Island Sharks flag football seasons)|-
| colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (No Limits Barnstorming)
|-
|1999 || 1 || 0 || 0 || -- || Won Exhibition Game (Minnesota
Minnesota Vixen
The Minnesota Vixen are a professional women's football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The team has been known as the Minnesota Vixens and Minneapolis Vixens prior to being known as the Vixen ....
)
|-
| colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (WPFL)
|-
|2000 || 4 || 2 || 0 || 2nd NC East || Lost National Conference Qualifier (New England
New England Storm
The New England Storm was a women’s professional football team.The New England Storm originated when in 2000, Melissa "Missi" Korpacz, contacted the Women's Professional Football League to ask about bringing a team to the New England area...
)
|-
| colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (Independent)
|-
|2001 || 6 || 1 || 0 || -- || --
|-
| colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (IWFL)
|-
|2002 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 1st East || Won IWFL Championship (Austin
Austin Outlaws
The Austin Outlaws are a women's football team in the Women's Football Alliance. They are based in Austin, Texas. Home games are played at Chaparral Stadium on the campus of Westlake High School....
)
|-
|2003 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC Mid Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Championship (Bay State
Boston Militia
The Boston Militia are a women's full contact football team in the Women's Football Alliance, of which they are the current defending champions...
)
Lost IWFL Championship (Sacramento
Sacramento Sirens
The Sacramento Sirens are a women's semi-professional American football team, located in Sacramento, California. The team has compiled one of the most successful records in women’s full tackle football.-History:...
)
|-
|2004 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC Mid Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Chicago
Chicago Force (football)
The Chicago Force is a women's football team that is now in the Women's Football Alliance. Founded in 2003, the team has previously played at De La Salle HS & St...
)
Won Eastern Conference Championship (Tampa Bay)
Lost IWFL Championship (Sacramento
Sacramento Sirens
The Sacramento Sirens are a women's semi-professional American football team, located in Sacramento, California. The team has compiled one of the most successful records in women’s full tackle football.-History:...
)
|-
|2005 || 10 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC Mid Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Southern Maine)
Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta
Atlanta Xplosion
The Atlanta Ravens, formerly known as the Atlanta Xplosion, is a football team in the Independent Women's Football League. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the Ravens play their home games in nearby Roswell at Centennial High School.-2003:...
)
|-
|2006 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC Mid Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Miami
Miami Fury
The Miami Fury is a football team in the Women's Football Alliance. Based in Miami, Florida, the Fury plays its home games at North Miami Athletic Stadium.-2000:...
)
Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta
Atlanta Xplosion
The Atlanta Ravens, formerly known as the Atlanta Xplosion, is a football team in the Independent Women's Football League. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the Ravens play their home games in nearby Roswell at Centennial High School.-2003:...
)
|-
|2007 || 6 || 2 || 0 || 1st EC North Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Manchester)
Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta
Atlanta Xplosion
The Atlanta Ravens, formerly known as the Atlanta Xplosion, is a football team in the Independent Women's Football League. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the Ravens play their home games in nearby Roswell at Centennial High School.-2003:...
)
|-
|2008 || 6 || 2 || 0 || 2nd Tier I EC North Atlantic || --
|-
|2009 || 4 || 4 || 0 || 3rd Tier I EC North Atlantic || --
|-
|2010 || 7 || 1 || 0 || 2nd Tier I EC Northeast || Lost Northeast Division Championship (Boston
Boston Militia
The Boston Militia are a women's full contact football team in the Women's Football Alliance, of which they are the current defending champions...
)
|-
| colspan="6" align="center" | New York Sharks (WFA)
|-
|2011 || 5 || 3 || 0 || 2nd NC North || --
|-
!Totals || 87 || 22 || 0
|colspan="2"| (including playoffs)
2009
| Date | Opponent | Home Home team In team sports, the term home advantage describes the advantage–usually a psychological advantage–that the home team is said to have over the visiting team as a result of playing in familiar facilities and in front of supportive fans... /Away Home team In team sports, the term home advantage describes the advantage–usually a psychological advantage–that the home team is said to have over the visiting team as a result of playing in familiar facilities and in front of supportive fans... |
Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 11 | New York Nemesis New York Nemesis The New York Nemesis is a women's tackle football team playing out of the Capital District of New York. It is a member of the Independent Women's Football League , a league with over 30 teams across the United States... |
Away | Won 21-7 |
| April 25 | Boston Militia Boston Militia The Boston Militia are a women's full contact football team in the Women's Football Alliance, of which they are the current defending champions... |
Home | Lost 7-21 |
| May 2 | Philadelphia Firebirds | Away | Won 33-14 |
| May 9 | Connecticut Crushers Connecticut Crushers The Connecticut Crushers are a women's American football team based in Hartford, and a member of the Independent Women's Football League since 2009. Home games are played at Dillon Stadium.... |
Home | Won 40-7 |
| May 16 | D.C. Divas D.C. Divas The D.C. Divas are a football team in the Women's Football Alliance. Based in the Washington Metropolitan Area, the Divas play their home games in Landover at Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex.-2001:The Divas were formed in 2000 to be one of the charter franchises of the National Women's... |
Home | Lost 7-21 |
| May 30 | New England Intensity New England Intensity The New England Intensity is a football team in the Independent Women's Football League based in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. Home games are played at Joseph P. Hanlon Field on the campus of Medway High School in Medway.... |
Away | Won 44-0 |
| June 6 | D.C. Divas D.C. Divas The D.C. Divas are a football team in the Women's Football Alliance. Based in the Washington Metropolitan Area, the Divas play their home games in Landover at Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex.-2001:The Divas were formed in 2000 to be one of the charter franchises of the National Women's... |
Away | Lost 18-34 |
| June 13 | Pittsburgh Passion Pittsburgh Passion The Pittsburgh Passion is a women's American football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The franchise began play in 2003 and is currently owned by Teresa Conn and Franco Harris. It is a licensed team in the Women's Football Alliance.... |
Home | Lost 33-34 |
2010
| Date | Opponent | Home Home team In team sports, the term home advantage describes the advantage–usually a psychological advantage–that the home team is said to have over the visiting team as a result of playing in familiar facilities and in front of supportive fans... /Away Home team In team sports, the term home advantage describes the advantage–usually a psychological advantage–that the home team is said to have over the visiting team as a result of playing in familiar facilities and in front of supportive fans... |
Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 10 | Philadelphia Firebirds | Away | Won 64-0 |
| April 17 | D.C. Divas D.C. Divas The D.C. Divas are a football team in the Women's Football Alliance. Based in the Washington Metropolitan Area, the Divas play their home games in Landover at Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex.-2001:The Divas were formed in 2000 to be one of the charter franchises of the National Women's... |
Home | Won 19-13 |
| April 24 | Connecticut Crushers Connecticut Crushers The Connecticut Crushers are a women's American football team based in Hartford, and a member of the Independent Women's Football League since 2009. Home games are played at Dillon Stadium.... |
Home | Won 65-14 |
| May 1 | Jersey Justice Jersey Justice The Jersey Justice are an Independent Women's Tackle Football Team based in Carteret, New Jersey. The team was formed in 2008 with many former players and staff from the New Jersey Titans. Home games in 2011 are to be played on the campus of St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel, NJ. Prior to... |
Away | Won 50-8 |
| May 8 | Pittsburgh Passion Pittsburgh Passion The Pittsburgh Passion is a women's American football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The franchise began play in 2003 and is currently owned by Teresa Conn and Franco Harris. It is a licensed team in the Women's Football Alliance.... |
Home | Won 12-8 |
| May 15 | Boston Militia Boston Militia The Boston Militia are a women's full contact football team in the Women's Football Alliance, of which they are the current defending champions... |
Away | Lost 0-31 |
| May 22 | Baltimore Nighthawks Baltimore Nighthawks The Baltimore Nighthawks are a football team in the Independent Women's Football League. The Nighthawks played their inaugural game in Brooklandville at Martin D. Tullai Field... |
Home | Won 38-6 |
| June 5 | Pittsburgh Passion | Away | Won 27-10 |
| June 12 | Boston Militia (Northeast Division Championship) | Away | Lost 6-25 |
2011
| Date | Opponent | Home Home team In team sports, the term home advantage describes the advantage–usually a psychological advantage–that the home team is said to have over the visiting team as a result of playing in familiar facilities and in front of supportive fans... /Away Home team In team sports, the term home advantage describes the advantage–usually a psychological advantage–that the home team is said to have over the visiting team as a result of playing in familiar facilities and in front of supportive fans... |
Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2 | Philadelphia Liberty Belles Philadelphia Liberty Belles The Philadelphia Liberty Belles are a team of the Women's Football Alliance which began play for its inaugural 2009 season. Home games are played on the campus of Wissahickon High School in Ambler, Pennsylvania.... |
Away | Won 34-20 |
| April 16 | Boston Militia Boston Militia The Boston Militia are a women's full contact football team in the Women's Football Alliance, of which they are the current defending champions... |
Away | Lost 7-28 |
| April 30 | New England Nightmare New England Nightmare The New England Nightmare is a team of the Women's Football Alliance that began play in the 2010 season. Based in Hartford, Connecticut, the Nightmare plays its home games at Dillon Stadium.... |
Home | Won 48-12 |
| May 7 | Northeastern Nitro Northeastern Nitro The Northeastern Nitro is a team of the Independent Women's Football League that began play in the 2011 season. They have recently relocated to New York... |
Home | Won 27-21 |
| May 21 | Boston Militia | Home | Lost 6-43 |
| June 4 | New England Nightmare | Away | Won 28-8 |
| June 11 | Northeastern Nitro | Away | Won 46-7 |
| June 18 | D.C. Divas D.C. Divas The D.C. Divas are a football team in the Women's Football Alliance. Based in the Washington Metropolitan Area, the Divas play their home games in Landover at Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex.-2001:The Divas were formed in 2000 to be one of the charter franchises of the National Women's... |
Home | Lost 16-38 |