Richmond Black Widows
The Richmond Black Widows are a women's American football team playing out of Richmond, Virginia.[1] They are a member of the Women's Football Alliance (WFA). They are the first women's football team in Richmond, and currently the only team in Virginia. They are set to start their inaugural season in April 2016. Games will be held at Virginia Union University's Hovey Field.
| Founded | 2015 |
|---|---|
| League | WFA (2016-present) |
| Team history | 2015-Present |
| Based in | Richmond, Virginia |
| Stadium | Bon Secours Training Center |
| Colors | Black, red, silver |
| President | Sarah Schkeeper |
| Head coach | Brian West |
| Mascot | Betty |
For the 2017 season, Richmond Black Widows' games were held at the Bon Secours Redskins Training Center.
Staff
As of the 2018 season the coaching staff include:
- Head Coach - Brian West
- Offensive Coordinator - Reggie Crosby
- Defensive Coordinator - Paul Nuttall
- Defensive Line Coach - Marlene Davis
- Assistant Coach - Anne Dornek
- LB Coach - Larry Jones
- QB/RB/WR Coach - Mike Jones
- DB Coach - Saroun Sam
- Offensive Line Coach - Sarah Schkeeper
History
Women's Football in Richmond
The Richmond Black Widows was founded in 2015 by Sarah Schkeeper with the express goal of, not only promoting women's football in the area, but providing young girls and women the opportunity to play a sport they have been denied and growing the confidence of young girls by showing them what can be achieved with drive and determination. At least once, prior to Sarah Schkeeper founding the Richmond Black Widows, a women's football team was attempted in Richmond. It fizzled before it ever started a season. Having played for 5 years for the New York Sharks and competing in 2013 on the US Women's National Team that participated in the IFAF Women's World Championship, Schkeeper moved to Richmond, Virginia and started the journey of bringing women's football to Richmond, Virginia.
As there was no foundation for football in the area, Sarah Schkeeper had to use alternative means to spread the word, creating a MeetUp group. Currently the team has a strong roster of over 40 women and a knowledgeable coaching staff.
Season-By-Season
| Season | W | L | T | Finish | Playoff results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond Black Widows (WFA) | |||||
| 2016 | 5 | 3 | 0 | -- | Tier III National Conference Champions |
| Totals | 6 | 3 | 0 | (including playoffs) | |
* = current standing
Roster
| Richmond Black Widows Roster | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Receivers
|
Offensive line
Defensive line
Linebackers
|
Defensive backs
Special teams
Multiple/Unknown positions
|
Injured reserve
| |||
2016
Season schedule
| Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2 | Tri Cities Thunder | Away | Won 48-12 |
| April 9 | Fayetteville Fierce | Away | Won 28-0 |
| April 16 | Philadelphia Phantomz | Home | Lost 6-42 |
| April 23 | DC Divas | Home | Lost 6-48 |
| April 30 | Fayatteville Fierce | Home | Won 32-8 |
| May 7 | Philadelphia Phantomz | Away | Lost 0-48 |
| May 14 | BYE | ||
| May 21 | Keystone Assault | Away | Won 12-0 |
| May 28 | BYE | ||
| June 4 | Tri Cities Thunder | Home | Forfeit 2-0 |
| June 25 Playoff | Keystone Assault | Home | Win 14-8 |
| July 22 Championship | Acadiana Zydeco | Home | Lost 18-20 |
References
- "With the Black Widows, Women's Football Tackles Richmond". Style Weekly. Retrieved 31 December 2015.