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Members of the Corvallis Pride women's football team (in white) compete against the Redding Rage in a game last year. The two teams recently merged due to small turnouts.

Corvallis Pride continues tackling negative stereotypes surrounding women's football

Corvallis women's tackle football team joins forces with Redding Rage from California

By: Samantha Blann

Posted: 4/1/09

In its eighth season, the women's tackle football team from Corvallis is struggling for recognition and players.

The team, known as the Corvallis Pride, is part of the Independent Women's Football League that has 21 teams nationwide. IWFL is a full-tackle women's football league focused on promoting a fun and safe environment for women who play the game.

The threat of a smaller roster has always been a problem for the Corvallis Pride. In 2007 the Pride accepted players from the Eugene Edge in hopes of filling empty positions. The team still struggles to stay afloat due to a lack of players and financial support.

For this year's season, the Pride opened its arms to another team in need. The Redding Rage from Redding, Calif. was also struggling for players.

"They were also in the same situation," said Pride head coach Beth Buglione. "Instead of two teams in the same division struggling [for players], we decided to join together as one team."

With the two teams joining, the Corvallis Pride has a total of 23 players on the roster this season. The Pride has been undefeated.

"It is going to be an amazing situation that has never been done before," Buglione said. "They're pretty excited to join a winning program."

In an effort to involve the community with the team and raise money, the Pride has hosted many fundraisers, including selling tickets for their March Madness giveaway. They have also sold season passes and program advertisements.

The team also has a small group of sponsors, including The Boys and Girls Club of Corvallis, Willamette Veterinary Clinic, Mad Cravings, El Sol De Mexico, NW Graphic Imaging and Southside.

All types of women are welcome on the Corvallis Pride team. Any woman over the age of 18 who has current health insurance is an eligible player.

Albany High School teacher Leah Hinkle is one of the many diverse players of the team. At 5-feet-5-inches and 150 pounds, Hinkle plays center and middle linebacker.

"Most line people are a lot bigger than I am," Hinkle said. Size is no obstacle for Hinkle, though, in her sixth season for the Corvallis Pride.

"She hits like a Mac truck," Buglione said of Hinkle.

Despite their efforts, the women of the Corvallis Pride team still face stereotypes of the game.

"Its hard. We still face ignorance because people don't believe women play tackle football," Buglione said.

"People are often surprised, especially when they see my bruises," Hinkle said. "So I have to explain to them that I play tackle football and I'm not a battered wife or something."

"[The great thing about the game is] you get to see what women can be," Buglione said. "Women are very capable of playing this sport."

Other key players of the Corvallis Pride include Simone Shepherd, who had the most interceptions last year, quarterback Sarah Wobbe and Redding players Barbara Webb and Renee Barragan.

The team is well-mentored with coaches like Buglione, defensive coordinator Blake Vawter, assistant coaches Tracy Boeder and Andrew Jensen, OSU athletic trainer Jennifer Miller and team delegate Christy Boeder.

"[I enjoy] being able to be part of a team and a group of women who are very strong," Hinkle said. "[The game] is an outlet for women to be athletic and tough."

Samantha Blann, staff writer

news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231