What Have You Done For Me Lately by Julie Wicher, Sirens Half Back Perspectives Editorial Volume 2, Issue 1 February 13, 2003 Over the past several weeks I have had time to sit back, relax, and reflect on what an awesome experience I was able to be a part of in my first season as a "professional" football player. There are not many people that can say that in their first season playing a sport their team went undefeated and won the championship. There are many that will never know what the feeling is like to play in and win a championship game. I have been so lucky and fortunate to be a part of a team that is so supportive both on and off the field. From the coaches to the owners to the players, we are both friends and family. The Sacramento Sirens were the 2002 WAFC (Women's Affiliated Football Conference) champions; quite an accomplishment. It is unfortunate sometimes that time does not stop so you can take full advantage of situations that bring you so much happiness. Such is life, it seems that the times that bring the most joy are also the times that disappear the quickest. I've often thought that I need a remote control for life so I can press pause when I want moments to last longer, rewind certain times that I never want to end, and of course fast forward those times that seem too tough to bare. This is just a meandering thought though; life will eternally be stuck on play. I must admit that during the season there were several times when I was about to get hit by someone and it felt as if everything was going in slow motion. Just like a car accident, often people see what is about to happen but there is no way to avoid it. The Sirens have now made the transition from the WAFC to the IWFL (Independent women's football league) and therefore will be playing in the Spring rather than the Fall. The IWFL is a much bigger league, with teams representing both the east and west coasts. For women's professional football to really make its mark, eventually all the small start-up leagues are going to have to either dwindle into nothing or all teams are going to have to combine into one or two main leagues. Still in its early stages, women's pro-football has been going through many transitions. Some cities have two or three teams because there is always someone that feels that they can run a team differently and more effectively. Luckily for us in Sacramento, we only have one team and I think that plays a role in the success we have had. Our team is not competing for players, rather, we have the best players in the area all on one team. It was nice to be a league champion, even if it was only for a few weeks. "Sacramento Sirens, 2002 WAFC champions" is now virtually a memory. We made history but now we are a new team in a new year joining a new league. Once again we have to go out and prove ourselves. With a strong group of rookies ready to make their mark and an outstanding group of returning players, I believe the 2003 Sirens will be more than ready for the challenges ahead. Perspectives Archives