New York Sharks

The New York Sharks were a women's American football team that was based in New York City. Their final season in 2018 was played as a member team of the Women's Football Alliance (WFA). They were the longest running and most winning team in women's football history with the honor of having a signed football in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

New York Sharks
Founded1999
LeagueBarnstorming (1999)
WPFL (2000)
Independent (2001)
IWFL (2002–2010. 2014-2016)
WFA (2011-13, 2017-2018)
Team historyLong Island Sharks (1990s)
New York Sharks (2000-present)
Based inBrooklyn, New York
StadiumAviator Sports Complex
ColorsBlack, light blue, silver
PresidentAndra Douglas
Championships2 (2002-IWFL, 2018-WFA)
Division titles3 conference titles (2002, 2003, 2004 IWFL East)
6 division titles (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 IWFL)
MascotSharkie

Staff

Management Staff

  • Owner - Andra Douglas
  • CFO, Social Media Mgr, former VP of Operations - Dana Sparling
  • General Manager - Tia Hopkins
  • VP - Crystal Turpin


The Final 2018 season the coaching staff:

  • Head Coach - Fabian Alesandro
  • Defensive Coordinator - Kyle Copeland
  • Receivers Coach - Alan Walls
  • O-Line Coach - Yatia Hopkins
  • Defensive Backs Coach - Toni Salvatore
  • Quality Control - Pat Brown
  • Quarterbacks Coach - Fabian Baez

History

First full-contact game

The New Yorks Sharks originally started as a women's flag football team called the Long Island Sharks ran by Jacqueline Colon. They played in international tournaments and were national champions.

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.

Jacqueline Colon accepted the challenge and with two months to prepare, converted her 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 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

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.

Future

From 2014-2015, the Sharks played in the Independent Women's Football League. Since 2016 - present, the Sharks are a member team in the Women's Football Alliance (WFA).

Season-By-Season

(not including Long Island Sharks flag football seasons)

Season records
SeasonWLTFinishPlayoff results
New York Sharks (No Limits Barnstorming)
1999100--Won Exhibition Game (Minnesota)
New York Sharks (WPFL)
20004202nd NC EastLost National Conference Qualifier (New England)
New York Sharks (Independent)
2001610----
New York Sharks (IWFL)
20027001st EastWon IWFL Championship (Austin)
20038001st EC Mid AtlanticWon Eastern Conference Championship (Bay State)
Lost IWFL Championship (Sacramento)
20048001st EC Mid AtlanticWon Eastern Conference Wildcard (Chicago)
Won Eastern Conference Championship (Tampa Bay)
Lost IWFL Championship (Sacramento)
200510001st EC Mid AtlanticWon Eastern Conference Wildcard (Southern Maine)
Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta)
20068001st EC Mid AtlanticWon Eastern Conference Wildcard (Miami)
Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta)
20076201st EC North AtlanticWon Eastern Conference Wildcard (Manchester)
Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta)
20086202nd Tier I EC North Atlantic--
20094403rd Tier I EC North Atlantic--
20107102nd Tier I EC NortheastLost Northeast Division Championship (Boston)
New York Sharks (WFA)
20115302nd NC North--
20124402nd NC Division 2Won National Conference Wildcard (Keystone)
Lost National Conference Quarterfinal (Boston)
Totals92270 (including playoffs)

* = current standing

2012 roster
New York Sharks roster
Quarterback
  • 30 Karen Mulligan

Running Backs

  • 19 Gabrielle Nazaire
  • 31 Isabella Bluhm
  • 32 Janea Wilkerson

Wide Receivers

  •  1 Alissa Anderson
  •  5 Erika Cottle
  • 11 Charonn Sutton
  • 15 Danielle Myers
  • 34 Melodie Abrook (TE)
  • 81 Lauren Pringle
  • 82 Laura Baden
  • 85 Anaïs Sumnicht
 Offensive Line
  • 61 Lenahndem Tankeng (G/T)
  • 74 Melissa Pickett (C/G)
  • 75 Leslie Thompson (G)
  • 90 Sarah Schkeeper (G)
  • 93 Kymm Elliott (T)
  • 99 Janelle Yarn

Defensive Line

  • 13 Katie Rose
  • 47 Cornelia Myers
  • 58 Michelle Bresnahan
  • 66 Leah Maher
  • 79 Ruth Martinez
  • 91 Veronica Simmons (DE)

Linebackers

  • 28 Collette V. Smith
  • 43 Erica Butler
  • 55 Laura Coleslaw
  • 59 Amy Deal Satterfield
 Defensive Backs
  • 29 Cheri Eleazer (FS)
  • 41 Toni Salvatore (CB)
  • 83 H. Marie Williams (FS)
  • 28 Collette V. Smith (FS)

Special Teams

  • Currently vacant

Multiple Positions

  •  3 Odessa Jenkins (RB/S)
  •  8 Jay Dantzler (CB/RB)
  • 27 Darleen Hall (WR/LB)
  • 44 Yatia Hopkins (FB/DE)
  • 46 Kristine Elmore (OL/LB)
  • 57 Vivian Alberty (FB/OL)
  • 77 Manouchka Joseph (NG/DT)
  • 88 Larissa Davis (WR/DB)
  • 93 Seleta Harrison (OL/DL)
 Injured Reserve
  • Currently vacant

Exempt List

  • Currently vacant

Practice Squad

  • Currently vacant
  • Rookies in italics
  • Roster updated May 7, 2012
  • 40 Active, 2 Inactive, 0 PS

2009

Season schedule
Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 11 New York Nemesis Away Won 21-7
April 25 Boston Militia Home Lost 7-21
May 2 Philadelphia Firebirds Away Won 33-14
May 9 Connecticut Crushers Home Won 40-7
May 16 D.C. Divas Home Lost 7-21
May 30 New England Intensity Away Won 44-0
June 6 D.C. Divas Away Lost 18-34
June 13 Pittsburgh Passion Home Lost 33-34

2010

Season schedule
Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 10 Philadelphia Firebirds Away Won 64-0
April 17 D.C. Divas Home Won 19-13
April 24 Connecticut Crushers Home Won 65-14
May 1 Jersey Justice Away Won 50-8
May 8 Pittsburgh Passion Home Won 12-8
May 15 Boston Militia Away Lost 0-31
May 22 Baltimore Nighthawks Home Won 38-6
June 5 Pittsburgh Passion Away Won 27-10
June 12 Boston Militia (Northeast Division Championship) Away Lost 6-25

2011

Standings
2011 WFA North Division
W L T PCT PF PA DIV GB STK
y - Boston Militia7100.875364725-0---W7
z - New York Sharks5300.6252121773-22.0L1
Northeastern Nitro4400.500462432-33.0L1
New England Nightmare0800.000282640-57.0L8

y - clinched division title
z - clinched playoff berth

Season schedule
Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 2 Philadelphia Liberty Belles Away Won 34-20
April 16 Boston Militia Away Lost 7-28
April 30 New England Nightmare Home Won 48-12
May 7 Northeastern Nitro 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 Home Lost 16-38

2012

Standings
2012 WFA Division 2
W L T PCT PF PA DIV GB STK
y - Boston Militia8001.0004581394-0---W8
z - New York Sharks4400.5001042272-24W2
Philadelphia Liberty Belles2600.250302340-36L3

y - clinched division title
z - clinched division title

Season schedule
Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 14 Boston Militia Away Lost 6-64
April 21 Maine Lynx Away Won 6-0**
April 28 D.C. Divas Away Lost 12-41
May 5 Philadelphia Liberty Belles Home Won 25-8
May 12 D.C. Divas Home Lost 13-41
June 2 Philadelphia Liberty Belles Away Won 31-0
June 9 New England Nightmare Home Won 72-14
June 16 Boston Militia Home Lost 12-55

** = Won by forfeit

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