New York Sharks
 | |
| Founded | 1999 |
|---|---|
| League |
Barnstorming (1999) WPFL (2000) Independent (2001) IWFL (2002–2010. 2014-present) WFA (2011-13) |
| Team history |
Long Island Sharks (1990s) New York Sharks (2000-present) |
| Based in | Brooklyn, New York |
| Stadium | Aviator Sports Complex |
| Colors | Black, light blue, silver |
| President | Andra Douglas |
| Head coach | Richard Harrigan |
| Championships | 1 (2002 IWFL) |
| Division titles |
3 conference titles (2002, 2003, 2004 IWFL East) 6 division titles (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 IWFL) |
| Mascot | Sharkie |
The New York Sharks are a women's American football team playing out of New York City. They are a member of the Independent Women's Football League (IWFL). They are the longest running and winningest team in women's football history with the honor of having a signed football in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Staff
As of the 2012 season the coaching staff include:
- Head Coach & Defensive Coordinator - Richard Harrigan
- Assistant Head Coach - Brian Brown
- Offensive Coordinator - Fabian Alesandro
- Assistant Coach - Erica Butler
- Assistant Coach - Michael Fagains
- Assistant Coach - Alan Walls
- Assistant Coach - Michael Nugent
- Assistant Coach - Xavior Ross
- Assistant Coach - Reggie Wilson
History
First full-contact game
The New Yorks Sharks originally started as a women's flag football team called the Long Island Sharks. 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.
The Sharks accepted the challenge and with two months to prepare, converted their 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 the 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
In 2007 season, 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
For 2014 and beyond, the Sharks will play in the Independent Women's Football League.
Season-By-Season
(not including Long Island Sharks flag football seasons)
| Season | W | L | T | Finish | Playoff results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Sharks (No Limits Barnstorming) | |||||
| 1999 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -- | Won Exhibition Game (Minnesota) |
| New York Sharks (WPFL) | |||||
| 2000 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2nd NC East | Lost National Conference Qualifier (New England) |
| New York Sharks (Independent) | |||||
| 2001 | 6 | 1 | 0 | -- | -- |
| New York Sharks (IWFL) | |||||
| 2002 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1st East | Won IWFL Championship (Austin) |
| 2003 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1st EC Mid Atlantic | Won Eastern Conference Championship (Bay State) Lost IWFL Championship (Sacramento) |
| 2004 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1st EC Mid Atlantic | Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Chicago) Won Eastern Conference Championship (Tampa Bay) Lost IWFL Championship (Sacramento) |
| 2005 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1st EC Mid Atlantic | Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Southern Maine) Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta) |
| 2006 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1st EC Mid Atlantic | Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Miami) Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta) |
| 2007 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1st EC North Atlantic | Won Eastern Conference Wildcard (Manchester) Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Atlanta) |
| 2008 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2nd Tier I EC North Atlantic | -- |
| 2009 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3rd Tier I EC North Atlantic | -- |
| 2010 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2nd Tier I EC Northeast | Lost Northeast Division Championship (Boston) |
| New York Sharks (WFA) | |||||
| 2011 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2nd NC North | -- |
| 2012 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2nd NC Division 2 | Won National Conference Wildcard (Keystone) Lost National Conference Quarterfinal (Boston) |
| Totals | 92 | 27 | 0 | (including playoffs) | |
* = current standing
Roster
| New York Sharks roster | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterback
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
|
Offensive Line
Defensive Line
Linebackers
|
Defensive Backs
Special Teams
Multiple Positions
|
Injured Reserve
Exempt List
Practice Squad
→ More rosters | |||
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 Militia | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0.875 | 364 | 72 | 5-0 | --- | W7 |
| z - New York Sharks | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0.625 | 212 | 177 | 3-2 | 2.0 | L1 |
| Northeastern Nitro | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0.500 | 46 | 243 | 2-3 | 3.0 | L1 |
| New England Nightmare | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0.000 | 28 | 264 | 0-5 | 7.0 | L8 |
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 Militia | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 458 | 139 | 4-0 | --- | W8 |
| z - New York Sharks | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0.500 | 104 | 227 | 2-2 | 4 | W2 |
| Philadelphia Liberty Belles | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0.250 | 30 | 234 | 0-3 | 6 | L3 |
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
