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WOMEN'S PITTSBURGH PASSION FOOTBALL TEAM HAS SOUTH SIDE HOME |
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By Colin Dunlap
TRI-STATE SPORTS & NEWS SERVICE
What started with a mix of optimism and apprehension has flourished
into tangible results. And four years later, Pittsburgh Passion
football is thriving.
Pittsburgh's franchise in the 36-team, full-contact National Women's
Football Association started with the hope it could sustain itself.
The franchise has done more than that, transforming itself into a
business model for the league.
"No one had any idea what to expect when we started this," Passion
player/owner Teresa Conn said. "But the momentum gained quickly and
people seem to love us, and a lot of that has to do with the fact the
people in Pittsburgh are crazy about football. It seems like when the
people around the league are looking for ideas, they say, 'What are
they doing in Pittsburgh?' and 'How have they countered that problem
in Pittsburgh?' To me, that is a huge compliment."
The Passion (0-1) open the home schedule at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Cupples
Stadium on the South Side against the Columbus Comets (1-0).
The Passion players have jobs that range from attorneys to bartenders
to maintenance mechanics to school counselors.
"We come from all walks of life," said Conn, a safety and the
Passion's oldest player at 42. "But what we all have is that same,
ultimate team goal. When we get out on that field, we're all like
little kids again and we understand how great the opportunity is that
we get to play this game."
For the Passion, continued growth might be the result of one thing:
Location.
Over the three year history of the franchise, the Passion have played
home games at high school stadiums in Belle Vernon and Ambridge. But
with the move to Cupples Stadium, Conn believes the Passion's
attendance will get a jolt.
"Most definitely I think the move to the South Side will help," she
said. "We've got the parking lots taken care of and they'll be plenty
of that. And, to get to the stadium is very accessible for a lot of
people, no matter where they live in the Pittsburgh area. This move
should definitely be a beneficial one."
The move could fall in line with the other factors that have
heightened awareness of the franchise the past few years.
"We're definitely gaining ground and people are noticing our
franchise," Conn said. "I remember that first year, there were a whole
lot of people who had no idea who we were and what we did.
"Now, I know it is registering with people. Now people hear the name
'Pittsburgh Passion' and they know that we're a football team for
women. There has been a growth for us, definitely. And I don't see why
we can't continue to grow and even become bigger." |
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