may 2.2003 »
1
SPORTS
...... w ......
2nd & goal!
et this: Portland has its very own womens
fixrtball team. And I’m not talking flag foot
ball or “Powder Puff.” I’m talking about the
real deal— full-contact tackle football.
Tire Portland Shockwave, now in its sec
ond season, is part of the Independent
W om en’s Football League, a member organiza
by J amie B olyard
tion of team owners similar to the National
Brisson. Townsend plans to try out for the team
Football League. T he league was founded in
next season; Brisson is the Shockwave’s starting
2000 to support wom en’s tackle football and
wide receiver.
now has more than 20 teams throughout the
U nited States and Canada.
Brisson loves football. The daughter of a
high
school football coach, she grew up on the
The Shockwave are in the Pacific Northwest
gridiron. She played flag football in the sixth
Division of the Western Conference alongside
grade
and was asked the following year to play
Oregon’s other two teams, the Eugene Edge and
on the regular team.
Corvallis Pride. The Tacoma Majesties and
“I got teased enough,” she says. “I wasn’t
Boise Xtreme are also in the division.
about to go play real football with the boys. 1
Four lifelong female athletes own the
regret that, but now 1 get a chance.”
Shockwave— two lesbian, one hi and one
Most Shockwave players joined the team
straight. Founding owners Emily Schwartz and
with less experience or knowledge. “A few peo
Rebecca Dawson heard about the Tacoma
ple had no clue that a football was oblong,"
team in the fall of 2001 and were instantly
Brisson laughs.
intrigued. Although neither had a football
Most team members grew up fans of the game,
background, they fell in love with the idea of
but Brisson says it’s totally different the first time
women playing tackle football and decided to
you put on the pads. “Some people are as mean as
start their own team. (A nd why not?)
shit and can go out there and
Dawson wears two hel
hit someone like no one’s
mets— she’s the owner
business. Other people
and the team’s starting
become more timid, and
running back. Schwartz
they get scared. It’s some
calls herself a “girlie vol
thing we work through.”
leyball player” and leaves
Obviously the kinks were
the playing to the 47
worked
out well before the
women who fill the
first game. In 2002 the
Shockwave roster.
Shockwave defense rated
Rounding out the
among the Top 25 in the
ownership team are les
country,
out of nearly 120
Owners Emily Schwartz (right) and
bian partners Megan
Megan Townsend keep a sharp eye plays teams. They also finished
Townsend and Rebecca
G
Portland women’s football team
tackles its second season
eatingout
eatingout
eatingout
eatingout
second in the league last
year, losing to Tacoma in
the championship game.
Great records aside,
unlike their male
counterparts, these
women play simply for
the love of the game.
The players are individ
ually subcontracted
under the condition
that until there’s a profit, they don’t get paid.
The Shockwave relies on grassroots market
ing such as handing out fliers and holding occa
sional fund-raisers, including a recent auction at
the Egyptian Club. “Financially, I still don’t
know how we make it happen every year,” says
Schwartz. “W ith almost zero corporate sponsor
ship or advertising and banks unwilling to loan
money to such a risky business venture, making
it all come together is difficult."
Most of the team’s support comes from
women, their families and the lesbian commu
nity. Brisson estimates membership is around
60 percent lesbian.
Unlike some professional women’s sports
teams that have been criticized for ignoring their
lesbian fans and players, the Shockwave wel
come all. “We highlight talent and hard work,
no matter who is doing it,” Schwartz asserts. “If
America doesn’t yet understand or isn’t ready for
eatingout
eatingout
FINE D IN IN G FROM TH E SEA
3520 NE 42ND A T FREM O N T
503-249-8486
the fact that we are a melting pot for a reason,
that can’t be helped. There is no shame in
acknowledging that part of the reason one of our
star players is able to shine on the field is because
she has the support of a wife and kids at home.”
As for those fans, Townsend sums it up
quite simply: “Look at all the people who sup
ported the Fire— they have nowhere to go.
They need to come to our games.” J H
Your next chance to root for the PORTLAND
is 6 p.m . May 17, when they take on
the Eugene Edge on their home turf at Beaverton
High School, 13000 S.W . Second St. Admission is
$3-$5; kids 12 and younger are free. For a season
schedule visit www.portlandshockwave.com.
SHOCKWAVE
JAMIE B o l y a r d is a Portland free-lance writer and
football fan. She can be reached at
littlemac2@earthlink. net.
eatingout
IBiuy Run,s:
J R esta u ra n t
' {
Wm
DINNERS FROM 5:30 TO 9:30
W EDNESDAY - SATURDAY
JmScA&iùV *
'w m
<& B a r
Y Y ^X
Y w
RUEN THAI
RESTAURANT
C otta ti C h U l , Maxkit o i Lawuf a t 503-236
detach otc otut ttiu) ra it-e /fz tiu /i
L tfo -B tf& L
-1253
ftA
w ta w u u ta d i.
Fresh Traditional Thai Food
in an Intimate Romantic Setting
Dine-ln, Carry Out, Delivery
1411 NE Broadway
503-287-1014 fx: 503-287-1094
M-Th 11-9:30
Fr-St 11-10 Sn 11-9:30
3 im lk U 0 4 9
Ì
J
on the
|
!
Patio!
:
2808
N E MLK J r
B lvd
503 493-8127
-
w w w .billyreeds.com
econ
Carries. Hoodies. Dumplings.CocktailsandMore_______
k '— ‘—'— *— PtìSwiffi
w ildest desires.
Asian street food in all its glory
* •
(as long as they appear
Willamette Week
6808 S.E. Hilwaukie flue
Portland Ph: 239-8739
on our menu)
Cub an c re o le c u is in e y c a n tin a cu b a n a
~ 503 w burnside ~
!
I
: Springtime :
S
#<4- « ^
ÌNMMMHMNMI
eatingout
B reawast , L unch a D inner
208 NW C ouch (ARf.vr J azzoe O ws ) 503/827 5113
Iratvnnf Aliami Brm cofftn ani kas