By Staff
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Most people believe that the February 6th Super Bowl marked the end of the football season.
These people would, no doubt, be surprised that there is another national football league just about to begin their season. It is the National Women's Football Association.
The league is comprised of 43 teams nationwide with new teams sprouting up each year. And this is not powder puff or flag football, It is full-contact, tackle football.
One of the teams in this league is home-based out of South Bend and calls themselves the Indiana Thunder. Head Coach Gene Eggleston was recently hired to coach the Thunder women. "I've coached for 30 years at the college, junior college, and high school levels, and had sort of retired from the coaching ranks," said veteran Head Coach. "I was hesitant to take this on at first, but these ladies really want to learn the game."
Eggleston went on to explain, "I am a teacher at heart and having people who genuinely want to learn is any teacher's dream. Right Now, I am having a ball. When it comes to football these ladies are raw. I have to be careful not to assume anything. We are starting with fundamentals and will build on that."
The Thunder team is comprised of women from all walks of life (teachers, housewives, secretaries, nurses, factory workers, college students, etc.). Their ages range from 18 to 42. They are essentially athletically inclined women who have always wanted to learn the game of football. They enjoy being a part of a team and love to compete.
Since Jan. 1, the team has been having workouts (without pads, in a gymnasium) two evenings per week. In mid-march the team will be practicing outside (weather permitting) in full pads, three nights per week in preparation for their first game.
The Thunder will play an eight game schedule beginning with the Cincinnati Sizzle (owned/coached by former Super Bowl player Ickey Woods) on April 23 here in South Bend. All games are played on Saturday night at 7 p.m.
Eggleston is optimistic about the team's outlook.
The team will be looking for additional team members at a tryout on Saturday, Feb. 26 at the South Bend YMCA from 6 p.m. to 8 p. m.
The team has a website at Indianathunder.com. Anyone interested in trying out for the team should contact Coach Eggleston by phone at 574-232-2520 or by emai:eagel24434@aol.com.