From the Coach... 06/11/06

D.C. Divas v. Harrisburg Angels, 06/10/06

On the bus ride up to Harrisburg PA, I couldn’t stop thinking about our team and its humble beginnings. Watching the players interact on the bus, I realized our success has little to do with tangible/material things. Our love for the sport and each other are completely different now. As much as our coaching staff would love to take credit for this growth, I know that it is our veteran leadership that is making it happen. It’s hard not to improve with such dedicated veterans, players like Ivy Tillman, Allyson Hamlin, Tessa Nelson, Nikki Williams, Patrice Bowman, Michelle Riddle, Yolanda Thomas, Claudia Hogan, Vickie Lucas, Amy Juang, Gayle Dilla, Alison Fischer – the list goes on and on. Constantly leading by example on and off of the field, our third consecutive Division Championship Title is due in large part to their sacrifice and leadership. Their selfless attitudes and tireless dedication to the improvement of their fellow teammates is evident and appreciated. They deserve more than a partial mention when one speaks about the development of this team and organization.

After a hard fought game the divas found themselves out front early as Allyson Hamlin connected on pass after pass earning her first MVP honors of the year. Nikita Hubbard brought the whole stadium alive with her block on an interception return that earned her MVP honors. I can’t imagine coaching under the conditions in which the Harrisburg Coaches find themselves. They are doing a phenomenal job and should be commended. In them I see the same love of women’s football, and I look forward to great things from this franchise in the future.

With Connecticut coming to town, I am wondering how our team is going to react this Saturday. It is “do or die time” now. Connecticut has to win to keep their playoff hopes alive and lately they have been playing outstanding defensive football. With one of the better coaching staffs in the league and outstanding talent at their skill positions, Connecticut is a dangerous team. How dangerous? Dangerous enough to come into DC, fight for their season, and make a GREAT football game out of it.

The entire team is ready. They all have the knowledge and information they need to be successful. But on Saturday night I will be looking for something different - something extra. Before we take the field Saturday night I will look deep into each player’s eyes. What I find there will tell the story. I am looking for FIRE! A RAGE born of extra sprints, up downs, conditioning, long practices, and even longer study sessions… an unquenchable desire to dominate our opponents. In their eyes, I want to confirm what the coaching staff already knows – it doesn’t matter if Connecticut’s playoff berth depends on their success. We are a team of destiny and they are in our way. I haven’t seen that yet. I haven’t felt that, as a team, yet. If we are going to accomplish our goals it is a must have. Is it there? Saturday night against the Connecticut Crush the coaching staff and the Diva Faithful will find out together.

See you all on Saturday!

Sincerely,

Ezra M. Cooper Jr., Head Coach