neighborsgo.com: post your community news

Finally, I can actually smell it from Ohio all the way here in Texas. I think the rain and the cool front brought it to the area. It’s the time of year when the season changes and football is all we can think about…. And, if it weren’t for the Olympics, I think I’d be glued to Sportscenter all the time hearing the latest opinions on key teams and players for the upcoming season.

You may be focused on Cowboys football…or your favorite college team. For me, if you’ve read this blog, it is The Ohio State Buckeyes.

So, how lucky am I? I can enjoy this Fall football season fully concentrating on NCAA and NFL football while living my own football dreams in the Spring. Life is good!

Sports Illustrated has my boys #2. Many of the experts seem to agree, we could be back in the Title game again! For those who don’t typically follow football, the Buckeyes have gone to the National Championship two years in a row and lost two years in a row. SI reports “Buckeye Fatigue Syndrome” could continue for fans who might ‘groan at the prospect of seeing OhioState back in the title game.’ I am NOT one of them!!

I want our shot at it! We’ve got 18 starters returning and a depth in the roster that not many could beat. And, as one who plays the game now, I can guarantee those Buckeye players want another shot at it too…to prove themselves.

I’ll be following closely….excited and ready! The first game is August 30 with a key game coming on September 13 against USC. Michigan is home in the Horseshoe this year, so I’ll be heading North to be there for the game.

In anticipation of the upcoming season, I took my friend Holly and my kids to the Shoe while I was home a few weeks ago. During previous visits I would refuse to touch the field as I considered it sacred ground. You had to earn the right to be on the Buckeye field. This time was different.

I felt that at 42, playing my first year of tackle football and winning the National Title, I had earned my right to touch and run the field.

Wow!!!!!!!! Standing their in the middle of the block O was an incredible feeling! All the years…nearly 40….of watching the Buckeyes play football flashed through my mind. What a perspective to be on the field rather than in the stands! It was a little slice of heaven to me. And, what an honor to be wearing #45 after Archie Griffin, two time Heisman Trophy winner. His number is retired in the OSU Ring of Honor.

Let’s Go Bucks!

Stay inspired,

Kip #45

www.dallasdiamondsfootball.com

www.iwflsports.com

Posted by Kip Watson on Aug 19, 2008 7:03 PM

E-mail this

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

Just days after winning the Championship in Chicago, I headed to the place where it all began: Canton, Ohio. It’s the current home of the NFL Hall of Fame, but back on September 17, 1920 the National Football League was founded in this small town.

Have you ever heard of the Akron Pros, the Boston Bulldogs, how about the Brooklyn Lions, the Columbus Panhandles, or the Dallas Texans? They were all NFL franchises at one time or another. The NFL had 14 teams when it started in 1920…quite a few as you can tell that no longer exist.

What initially intrigued me as I began my way through this massive display of football history was the documentation showing the sport before it became Professional as we know it now.

The first game ever played was listed back in 1869, and the first rules for football were written in 1876 by Walter Camp, the Father of American football. In 1892, an intense club rivalry between the Pittsburgh Athletic Club and the Allegheny Athletic Club led to the first person being paid to play football, Pudge Heffelfinger. Just five years later, the Latrobe Athletic Club was the first team to play with an entire roster of professionals. (Latrobe is located in Pennsylvania…Yep, I had to look it up.)

During the next two decades, the game went through a series of struggles to legitimize itself. Teams came and went, players jumped from one to another, salaries continued to rise with demand, and teams began using college players still enrolled in school. Finally, on that September day in 1920, an attempt was made to form one league with all members following the same rules.

While this put the NFL in motion that day, it was several more years before the major kinks were worked out. After the first season, in fact, two of the franchises disbanded and had their memberships cancelled.

All this made me think about my Great Grandfather who played football for OhioState during part of this same time. I imagine he wore helmets made from leather and carried a football quite a bit bigger than the ones we know today.

The walk through the Hall the Fame inductees was considerably fun! My son enjoyed seeing the up close busts and jerseys of many of the athletes he has read about in his books and trading cards. He needed photos with his favorites including Troy Aikman, Joe Montana, and his idol John Elway.

My teammate and best friend, Holly Headen, had to have her picture taken with Randy White. My Grandmother will be jealous so don’t tell her. As for me, I snapped a shot with my DB idol Ronnie Lott and legendary Coach Tom Landry.

We left the Hall of Fame fully inspired by what we saw and experienced. Holly and I couldn’t help but think we were in some way part of football history. No where in the building was there even a picture or reference to Women’s Professional Football. They had a picture of some college gals playing powder puff and several displays about the fairly new Arena Leagues.

We know our League and the other Women’s leagues are in their years of working things out. We are miles ahead of where the men were back in the day. Nonetheless, I do look forward to the day when we are one League with one set of rules, fewer teams, and the pay that enables us to play and not work another full time job. Maybe then, the Hall of Fame will at least put a picture or video of Dallas Diamonds' Jessica Springer in there showing the greatest female football ever to play the game…of course I think several other players deserve to be in there too. I guess that history is still in the making!

Stay inspired,

Kip #45

www.dallasdiamondsfootball.com

www.iwflsports.com

Posted by Kip Watson on Aug 14, 2008 12:32 AM

E-mail this

Post Win Depression: Yes, it Hit Me!

I was told about this phenomenon. And, as a Counselor, I knew it would happen. But, I thought maybe…just maybe, I might escape it with my brilliant cognitive training and deep spiritual foundation. Come on, I told myself, I just won a National Championship as a professional athlete. Not many 42-year-old women who has two kids and used to weight over 200 pounds can say that?

And after all, we are defined by success in this world, right? Thus, I should be set. I lost the weight and I have earned my Ring! Most people go their whole lives and never win a National Title or keep their weight off. I should be in jubilation for years to come! Right???

So, I sit here amazed to tell you how happy, focused, and fired up I was prior to the Championship game and how melancholic and irritable I was the day after. ‘Dang’, I thought, ‘I am not going to fall into this post win depression.’ But, I did. It hit me for days and now I think I’m coming out it. In my typical Counselor fashion of self-analysis, I discovered several things contributed to this post win depression.

First, I realized the day after the Championship, this group of incredible people with whom I had trained with, sacrificed with, learned from, and traveled with would never be together again in this same way. As we were all leaving the hotel, going our separate ways, it hit me…we would not take the field together as that Championship team. I remember watching KB Bowman walk across the parking lot, ‘I won’t see her face painted, hear her yell and take some one out again.’

What spurred my thoughts was a post on our website message board from fans asking ‘when was the team flying home?’ so they could meet our plane and cheer for us. We all know our travel woes. I’ve written about them. There was no plane bringing the National Championship Diamonds home to see their fans. So, it felt sad to me even though we just won this incredibly hard fought victory.

I know many of our vets are retiring including KB. Some are having babies, some need to allow their bodies to heal, and some are just unable to continue giving and sacrificing without some kind of compensation which there is not much of one.

So, let’s call reason #1 for post-win depression: Team Breaking Up.

Second, I went off to Ohio to attend some family functions for a week. And, while that was great, it seemed weird to not be around my teammates after winning such a Title. And, it seemed equally difficult to not be working out and eating my normal ‘clean’ manner. My sleep was equally irregular for me. I had a ‘pizza and ice cream’ type diet for the week, I slept until 10:00 or later most mornings, and I did not do any kind of tough, physical workout. I walked some but nothing strenuous. It was a rest week after going hard for six months. My body needed it but I realized I don’t function well when I am off my routine of working out, hydrating, sleeping, and eating clean.

Hence, reason #2 for post-win depression: Diet and Lifestyle Breaking Up.

Finally, I again, realized I am a ‘journey’ woman. Success was the moment we won! Just like the successes I’ve had when I earned my degrees, past my Licensing exam, or reached my goal weight. I celebrated those significant moments and achievements. But, I learned what mattered more to me was the ‘process’. There was this vibrant and rich process that was so valuable and so fun to each of those success points. More growth and significance came from the process than the actual moment of glory.

For football, the journey of tryouts, mini-camp, early morning practices, going full bore for the first time hitting in ‘shot gun alley’, raising money to get the team to the playoffs, the drills, the running, the drills, the running, having Rachel May hit me and hit me again until I got it, and the great new friendships that developed provided and shaped me more than the actual Title.

Don’t get me wrong, I am thrilled we came home with the National Title. That was our goal! It feels good to achieve that goal. It would not feel as good if we did not accomplish that goal. And more than likely, a post loss depression would have lasted longer. But, I think I realized, win or lose, the goal is not what ultimately mattered to me. The goal does not define me.

I like the way Jim Tressel, Head Coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes, says it in his new book, The Winner’s Manual for the Game of Life, “It is hard in today’s society to keep success in its proper perspective and not base our sense of self worth on what we do. But if you can get there, it’s such a comfort. If we lose a game, we’re not losers – that’s not who we are. And, by the same token, if we win a game, that doesn’t make use wonderful people. We achieved our goal, and that has its place, but that success or failure doesn’t define us. The thing we should most enjoy about any endeavor is the road we travel to get there.”

Tressel is a guy who should know. He has Coached in ten National Championship games. He won some of those games and some he did not. The most notorious, of course, the last two Title games with the Buckeyes. He lost both of them to Florida and LSU respectively. He won the Division I Title in 2002 defeating Miami in OT and has been named Coach of the Year multiple times.

I believe Coach Tressel is right. It is a comfort to know my self-worth does not rest on my successes or failures. That truth enables me to have peace when I fail, remain humble when I win, and understand my purpose and true success in life are contained in the process.

Stay inspired,

#45

For a great read, check out Jim Tressel’s book, The Winner’s Manual for the Game of Life. It is an inside look at how this incredible Coach guides his players not just as a football player but as a whole person.

www.dallasdiamondsfootball.com

www.iwflsports.com

Posted by Kip Watson on Aug 9, 2008 10:49 PM

E-mail this

The Diamonds Dynasty: For the Love of Family and the Game

I have seen and witnessed incredible sports events through out my 40+ years. Mostly on television or in the Buckeye Horseshoe! Many of them hold great memories for me. And, everyday all over this world, teams of people gather together for the purpose of sport. Many of the Diamonds players have been part of other teams throughout their athletic careers. Even this 'Football Chick' was part of a state and regional gymnastics championship team. Ironically, that took place in Chicago as well 26 years ago.

But as Head Coach Todd Hughes puts it, the Diamonds are something rare and something unique, “I have coached and played at all levels except pro. Many of these teams were good and some champions on occasion. But once every now and then, when the planets are aligned, it’s a full moon and lightening strikes, a set of individual players, coaches, owners and staff come together to form what can be referred to as a phenomena. A phenomenon (plural: phenomena) is an observable event, particularly something special. The Dallas Diamonds fall under this definition.”

Others would say the Dallas Diamonds have created a Dynasty. Since their inception in 2002, the Diamonds have accomplished historical feats unlike any other professional franchise in Texas. The Diamonds state a 57-7 record including four World Championships in two separate leagues. The Diamonds boast coming from behind in a hand full of great games in the last seconds while never giving up. That determination was captured recently in the IWFL Championship Title in Chicago where the Diamonds won 35-29 in sudden death overtime. “This is the strongest women's football has ever been. To win four Championships over the past five years is absolutely dynasty material. I don't think anyone would argue it,” exclaims Veteran Quarterback Karen Seimears.

Coming from behind to win the Championship game is simply a metaphor for many of the obstacles and challenges the Diamonds have faced. This year alone, the team encounter multiple family deaths, illnesses, surgeries, relationship breaks, and other off the field life issues.

Back on the field, I've shared with you how the team endured tremendous financial difficulties, travel accommodations that resulted in players and coaches spending nearly 18 to 30 hours traveling to and from playoff games, and two opponents who quit on the Diamonds after playing only one half of football. “These gals put work, family, friends, time, blood, sweat, tears and pocketbooks aside for their commitment to the Diamond legacy.” says Hughes. Last year, complacency set in for the Diamonds. There would be no playoff or Championship run for them. So, this year, with hunger to play back in their eyes and a new League with new opponents to go after, the Diamonds set out to prove their 3-peat was no fluke. Team Captain and Championship MVP Jessica Springer said winning the Title this year leaves no doubt to who is the best in Women’s Professional Football, “For us, the one's who came back, this proves we are the best in women's football," Springer said. "That's what we came here to prove and we did.” Defensive Back Valerie Murawka agreed, “The win felt like a sigh of relief. We did it. We overcame mountains of adversity to be here and win.” “I felt like we were proving that our last 3 championships were legitimate regardless of league or opponent, “ said Seimears, also a Captain for the Diamonds.

The recent victory did not come easy. The Diamonds were struggling at half-time during the Championship game. The Chicago Force proved to be a solid match. The competition was tight and the Defense had a wake up call from Murawka, “I was sitting there thinking there was no way this was happening! We had overcome so much together I couldn't bear the thought of another team walking away with OUR glory OUR trophy. I kept having this feeling in my chest that I had something to say, but I didn't know what it was. It was like an itch and before I knew what I was doing my hand shot up and my mouth was asking Coach Pat if I could say something.”

Believing in her team, Murawka reminded the Diamonds about their adversities. She hailed them as the best defense in the league and in doing so she encouraged everyone to step it up and stay focused on shutting down Chicago, “I wanted us to wake up! I think our team reacts better when we are the underdog or that we are counted out. So, I thought by reminding the defense how everyone had been betting against us from the start would get us riled up.” It worked.

Murawka’s speech was the best half time speech I heard all year. She jumped up with such enthusiasm. The intensity with which she spoke was inspiring. She reminded us of what we had overcome and sacrificed to be at the Title game. I think it increased our drive to leave everything on the field and bring DFW another Title.

Team Owner Dawn Berndt saw our determination, “ The goal line stop on Chicago was amazing. And, holding them in the final minutes to go into overtime showed our dominance.”

Berndt says the Diamonds’ Dynasty is a product of this special group of people staying and working well together, “To be able to hold together such a talented group of unpaid athletes so long is amazing. To have a coaching staff that can see the players talents and use them to the teams’ advantage is unprecedented in women's football. So with all the negatives that women's football faces to have an organization that has been this solid and consistent, I would say, yes the Diamonds are a women's football dynasty.”

.
Coach Hughes says the women who are the Diamonds have created something that will not be repeated, “They have made their place in Women’s football history and are arguably one of the best if not the best in women’s football, in any league, anywhere in the world. They have set the bar year after year for other teams to respect, hate, and aspire to be. They have achieved goals and dreams that many will never have the opportunity to witness.”

And from what I have observed and experienced as a Rookie Diamond, these women keep coming back to play, keep sacrificing, and keep overcoming for two reasons: they love each other very much; this team is like a family. And, second, they love football and love being a part of this incredible game.

Stay inspired,

Kip #45

Posted by Kip Watson on Aug 5, 2008 1:56 PM

E-mail this

It's Hard to be on Vacation after You Win!

Laying here on my Mom's bay window in cool yet sunny Columbus, Ohio is a treat. But, it has been hard to be on vacation this week with my family after winning the World Championship in Chicago last weekend. People want things from you....and I'm not talking about my kids!

When I return to hot and sunny Dallas, Texas, I'll have more on what the game was like, the Dynasty that is the Diamonds, and what is coming next for the Diamonds! Below you will see the game write up.

Also, I made a visit to the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame while in Ohio this week. Wow!! The induction ceremony is going on this weekend so the place was a mad house!! It was very inspiring to say the least.

And, I am going to make an attempt to visit with my hometown hero, Archie Griffin for whom I picked #45. He was recently given the title of the Greatest Buckeye Running Back...(that's above Pete Johnson, Keith Byers, Heisman winner Eddie George, Hop Along Cassidy, and others!)

Plus, don't forget, the 4 Keys to Healthy Living...4 simply things you can do to change your life and the life of your family!

Thanks goodness there is so much to write about....and these are just some of the topics to be revealed!

Stay inspired,

Kip #45

DALLAS DIAMONDS 2008 IWFL WORLD CHAMPIONS!

DIAMONDS GET THEIR 4TH TITLE WITH A WIN OVER CHICAGO

This is what every championship game should be…two of the toughest teams battling back and forth until one comes out victorious. The Dallas Diamonds beat the Chicago Force 35-29 in OT to capture the 2008 IWFL National Championship Title.

The intensity of this game was high. Both teams had superior lines, agile running backs, fast receivers, and strong quarterbacks. In the end, however, Diamonds leading rusher, Jessica Springer carried Dallas to the Title in overtime with a 13-yard touchdown.

Springer said she knew when the overtime toss went in the Diamonds’ favor, the game was over, “I said on the field the game was ours when the toss came up ‘heads’. It was over for them.” Quarterback Karen Seimears shared that confidence, “The only time I was truly nervous is while the coin was flipping in the air. I knew if we won the toss, they couldn't keep us from scoring.”

The Diamonds drove 52 yards in the sudden death overtime. Seven out of the nine plays went to Springer. One went to Full Back Rachel May who put the Diamonds within scoring distance. “It was a great feeling to be given the chance to run the ball, but if it was not for Springers’ fake, I would have never gotten the yards I did,” said May.

May and the Diamonds Offense had key blocks for Springer throughout the evening and gave her one more for the touchdown run. “I love blocking for Springer”, said May. “I know if I do my job we will be in the end zone.” Jen Welter, Linebacker for the Diamonds agreed, “Obviously, Springer is amazing, but in this game, the whole offense stepped up to set her free. Rachel May had some bone-rattling blocks and our 0-line kept Seimears from being touched.”

Springer, who earned the game MVP award, scored all five of the Diamonds touchdowns and two two-point conversions. She carried the ball 32 times for nearly 240 yards. A lot of people said Springer was the difference in the game including Chicago Head Coach Jim Stahl. “Springer was MVP for a reason. She had a key interception on defense and she punched the ball in several times on offense including the game winning touchdown in overtime.” said Welter. “There was more than one occasion where I found myself in awe of her during the game. If she doesn't make it into the Women's Sports Hall of Fame, its a tragedy.” suggested Seimears.

Before the OT win, the Diamonds engaged in a defensive battle with the Force. Chicago, in fact, scored first in the second quarter with a one-yard run from Melissa Smith and a two-point conversion run from quarterback Sami Grisafe. That gave the Force the lead 8-0. “The Chicago defense was as tough as advertised. Film is deceiving. It was hard to judge how quick they were to the ball or that they were such solid tacklers. When they dropped into pass protection, there just a bunch of bodies flying around. I was very impressed, said Seimears.

Seimears and the Diamonds answered with a one-yard run and a two-point conversion from Springer. At the end of the half, the game remained tied 8-8. It was evident both teams made adjustments at the half. Dallas came out firing with a no-huddle offense. They drove the ball down the field and Springer scored on a 20-yard run. Emily Tidwell’s extra point was good giving the Diamonds the lead again 15-8.

Chicago made it clear they were here to give Dallas a good fight. They marched right back and scored off an 11-yard run by Smith and Carolyn Lee kicked it in for the tie. Chicago was able to hold Dallas on their next series and then score again as Grisafe kept the ball for a 3-yard run into the end zone. Lee’s kick was good putting the Force on top 22-15.

The Diamonds stay focused and made changes defensively, “They executed their plays very well and were well disciplined, but ultimately our defense just kept hitting them in the mouth every chance we got. We adjusted to the offense very well and ultimately found answers to their plays and were able to stop them when it really counted,” said Welter. “ “We have the best defense in the league,” said Valerie Murawka, Safety for the Diamonds. “We had to understand that it was going to take all of us. To hell with what had happened before that. And, I think our team reacts better when we feel that we are the underdog.”

As the Diamonds Defense made their adjustments, the offense responded and moved the ball scoring with 2:57 left in the 3rd quarter. The extra point failed leaving the Diamonds down 22-21.

More defensive stands and several key penalties kept both teams struggling to hit the end zone in the fourth quarter. “The entire game was just a key play after key play. There were momentum shifters every few minutes. It felt like a heavyweight fight where we just traded punches. Thank goodness that we just landed the final blow. This wasn't so much as a game where we capitalized on each other's mistakes as much as it was a game where we caused each other to make mistakes, said Seimears.

Early in the 4th, however, Springer found her way in from three yards out and made her second two-point conversion. That put the score back in Dallas’ favor 29-22. Not wanting to be denied, Chicago answered with 6:14 left on the clock. Grisafe hit Angie Bandstra for an 8-yard pass and a touchdown. Lee’s kick was good tying the game again at 29-29.

In an impressive defensive showing, the Diamonds stopped Chicago with just seconds left on the clock. “I was particularly proud of the adjustments that Alberta Fitcheard-Brydson and I made to the receivers. They were trying to cross and get a hole in coverage. Instead of staying man we zoned the receivers. My best hit of the night came when the Force went for it on fourth down late in the game. The outside receiver ran a slant and went up for the ball. I hit her hard in the air while she was catching the ball. She dropped the ball and our offense took over on downs,” said Welter.

At the end of regulation play, the score remained tied 29-29. As the sudden death overtime toss fell in Dallas’ favor, the momentum shifted again for the Diamonds. The women of the gridiron walked away with their 4th World Championship Title in five years. They are the most successful professional team in Texas in the 21st century. Some are calling this a Dynasty.

Posted by Kip Watson on Aug 1, 2008 3:04 PM

E-mail this

DALLAS DIAMOND WIN IN OVERTIME 35-29

I'll make this quick....

DALLAS DIAMONDS ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!

We are coming home with the trophy DFW!

Thanks Diet Pepsi Max and all our sponsors and fans who helped us get to Chicago and win this thing!!

I'm going to go celebrate with my family and teammates!

Stay inspired,

Kip #45

Posted by Kip Watson on Jul 26, 2008 11:55 PM

E-mail this

It's Game Time

Play by Play before the Championsip Game:

We gave our practice and walk-through session to the Montreal Blitz. They play in the Tier 2 Championship game in a couple hours prior to our Tier 1 game against the Chicago Force. Coach believes we don’t need it and, well, the travel scenario we find ourselves in means many of our players are continuing to fly in up until late this morning…game day!

You’ve heard about the Diamonds travel woes but it appears travel expenses are a problem throughout Women’s Professional Football. According Deborah Howlett, the Crack-Back blogger, one team in the NWFA did forfeit their playoff game due to a lack of financial backing. Check out her blog at www.crack-back.blogspot.com .

Holly and I arrived around noon Friday in the Windy city and can I tell you….the traffic here is unbelievable. I thought Dallas was bad…I’ll never say that again! It was bumper to bumper from Gary, Indiana to O’Hare near our hotel. Once inside the hotel doors, there sat about 20 players waiting on rooms…the rooms were not ready! Ugh…more waiting!

Grabbing a bite, we returned to the hotel to find the rooms ready. Next, we checked in with the IWFL representatives to get our free stuff…a very cool looking IWFL sling bag but the rest of the stuff was kinda lame…a water bottle, a t-shirt, stickers, a guide to Chicago (as if I’ll have time to see the city with a curfew of 9:00PM), and a game day poster that does not even have the teams on it. We signed four game footballs and two of those lame posters.

Focusing next on a little rest, we napped before the “Meet and Greet” where we met players and fans. Our star player Jessica Springer took two IWFL League Awards: 3^rd place for Strength – Bench press 23 reps/150lbs. and 3^rd place for Speed – 4.8/40 Yard dash.

I think the league thought they were feeding a bunch of gymnasts at this event instead of four football teams. I did see a bowl of chips and then when pizza was placed on the table, it was gone within a breath. Healthy don’t you think? And, would you believe the league representative actually apologized for not having enough food. So, when the awards were done, the Diamonds left to go get something to eat. The event was supposed to last until 9:00PM. The league questioned why we were leaving. Our Owner politely said, “hum, they are hungry, they need dinner, they are going to eat.” I think they closed down by around 7:45PM.

After eating, we hung around the lobby for a while. It turns out NCAA football officials are here for meetings. Jen Welter and I talked up Women’s Professional Football among the officials. Many of them had never heard about Women’s tackle football! Now they have! They end their meetings today at 5:00PM and are coming to our Championship game. This is good for women’s football! As more people learn women can play football well, the greater the possibility for us to move forward with the sport.

This morning we did the breakfast in bed thing…sooooo good! We had our offensive and defensive meetings. Now we are staying off our feet, hydrating, and mentally preparing to take away a title from Title TownUSA.

Stay inspired,Kip #45

Posted by Kip Watson on Jul 26, 2008 12:57 PM

E-mail this

8 More to Go!

Diet Pepsi Max just came through big!! They answered our desperate call for eight more players to get to the Championship Game! Some of you also eagerly answered the call and supported the Diamonds by donating your airline miles or purchasing a plane ticket for one of our players. Thank you….to Rob Enright at the Ward Group, Kenneth Clark, Banks Dental, Real World Ministries, Patrick’s Roofing Company, Beyond ROI, Neal Bronzo at PBG, Bent Tree Bliese Lifegroup, American Airlines personnel, Jen Welter’s Client, Toby and Kimberly Page at Southwest Airlines, and fans who have donated via our web site and Pep Rally. All of you have contributed to amazing athletes who adapt and overcome any obstacle put in their path.

It is truly amazing how I’ve watched our players, staff, and the community unite around us to get us to this Championship Game. We held a Pep Rally Saturday in which enough donors gave money for us to get three players to the game! We enjoyed great food prepared by the team and their family members, kids and players jumped in the bounce house, and we watched game film from our victory over Seattle for the Western Division Title. K104.1FM even showed up and engaged in the festivities.

And, just so you know how GRASS ROOTS the effort is to get us to Chicago, our Player Relations Director, Amy Ashkinazy ran through our practice field parking lot getting all the spare change from the player’s cars…no penny was left in anyone’s ashtray!

Should it be this way? No…but this is our reality. It costs thousands and thousands of dollars to travel with 50+ people and all our equipment. Unfortunately, for a multitude of reasons, there is not the financial backing to get us to Chicago to play this Championship Game. Nearly every single one of us feels sad and frustrated by this. Even though we, the players, should not be worried about the finances, we do? How could we not? We were deeply impacted by the travel arrangements for the Seattle playoff game. We could not bear the thought of us forfeiting this game…no way! So, here we are doing whatever we can do to get this entire team to the game. Thank you again to all who came along side us. We feel loved by your support. And, let us leave no doubt….we will bring home another Title for DFW. I think we could use another Ring!!

I am headed out with my kids on Thursday morning flying to Columbus, Ohio. I then drive to Chicago on Friday. I'll keep in touch...give you more behind the scenes look at this Championship Title run.

The game is on Saturday, July 26^th in Chicago. Check out www.iwflsports.com for the latest information on the game.

Also, check out www.dallasdiamondsfootball.com and see Kandace Dodson, our Neighborsgo Editor attempting a workout with us! She showed up in heels and a dress…ok….hello…Kandace, this is football…take a look and see for yourself how she did!

Stay inspired,

Kip #45

Posted by Kip Watson on Jul 22, 2008 1:11 PM

E-mail this

Post Traumatic Diamonds Travel Stress Disorder (PTDTSD)

It started at 5:00am in terminal C…will they make it….can they get on this flight….denied! Next flight…off to Terminal A…”please call our name”….Denied. Time to eat…They grabbed a bite and moved again…different gate in Terminal A but again denied….Next the Conrail to Terminal D…surely they will make this flight to Seattle…No, denied! Several more gate and terminal changes, quick bites….long waits…and finally reaching Seattle and the team hotel at close to midnight around 2:00 in the morning Texas time…about 18 hours later.

And, believe it or not, but the travel adventure in Seattle only got worse. Upon arriving at the hotel, we helped a player move into her room. The key card would not work, “You know it sounds like someone is in this room”, said Holly as Laura went back to the desk to get another key. When Laura returned, we tried and tried again to no avail to get that hotel door open…then…suddenly… a very weary middle-aged man cracked the door open, “can I help you ladies?”. Yep, this poor man was being invaded by the Dallas Diamonds in the middle of the night.

Laura and three other teammates finally got into a room. It smelled like dirty old socks that had sat in the garage for several months. Holly actually opened the coffee pack and began waving it around the room to try and change the smell. We opened windows and turned on the air. Slowly the smell began to change or we just got used to it.

Unfortunately, our Assistant Coach Mikal Black and his wife were left out. No smelly rooms left for them in this team hotel. So, Coach Black set out to find a place to stay. They were denied next door; no room at the Inn. Down the road a way, they finally found a place.

We had players waiting for hours and arriving at various times prior to the start of Saturday’s 3:00PM playoff game. Several key players were unable to make it. And, our Owner gave up her seat so our Running Back Odessa Jenkins could make it in time for kickoff.

This kind of travel is highly conducive to winning playoff football games don’t you think? But that is the kind of travel arrangements many Diamonds players had to endure in order to get to Seattle to play our Western Division Championship game against the Majestics. Amazingly, we did win! We dominated again 38-6 against a team that only allowed 27 points scored against them all season. We even had nearly 150 yards in penalties against us and still managed a decisive victory. We stay focused on our goal despite how we felt, the travel issues, and the flag-happy officiating. We have a motto we stand upon when we must adapt and overcome…’One Team….One Goal’.

And, our goal is to bring home another World Championship Title to the DFW area. I believe we can do it. We have the depth of talent, great Coaching, and a staff full of perseverance and unbeatable in the low-budget trenches in which we live.

We are the most successful professional sports franchise in Texas in the 21^st century. We win!! We dominate!! We know how to play football!! What other team is doing what we are…three World titles in the last four years and we are about to win another one. Yet, we can’t travel to our Championship game without some significant help! Winning… hard, but we make it look easy. Paying for travel expenses and marketing….easy, but we can’t seem to find people and companies willing to help us.

Oh, and just so you know…the travel back home was again full of adventure. Val, who I am second string to, endured an overnight stay in the Seattle airport by herself. She stood there and watched as everyone else made it on a flight home. She tried several other flights but was denied. She even tried to get to St. Louis…a step closer but was denied. Finally making it on a flight to Austin, she was harassed in First Class for wearing a sweatshirt because she was cold. And, if that wasn’t enough, there was a take-off delay due to a toilet problem. Again waiting, the bathroom was fixed and she was on her way to Austin. Three other teammates drove to pick her up. She arrived back home about 30 hours after her ordeal first started.

As a counselor, let me just say I am seeing more and more cases of PTDTSD…Post Traumatic Diamonds Travel Stress Disorder. I will be offering free group and individual therapy session this week at practice.

If you can help sponsor a player to Chicago for the Championship Game, July 26^th, we would be honored. You can donate miles or actually ‘adopt a player’ by purchasing her ticket.

Please contact me directly for a sponsorship, ‘adopt a player’, or donation of airline miles. You can call me at 214.543.4108. Or you can make a donation at www.dallasdiamondsfootball.com .

Stay inspired, Kip #45

Posted by Kip Watson on Jul 16, 2008 5:00 PM

E-mail this

Diamonds Need the Home Town Behind the Home Team

I leave for Seattle and the Western Division Championships in about an hour. I bought my own ticket and my own hotel room. I did that to free up a space for another teammate to get to the game. There is just not enough money to take our entire team. That kills me!! I can't believe we can't find enough people, businesses, and/or sponsors to assist us in winning this 4th World Championship Title.

The press has kindly helped and gotten involved. Several of the local newspapers, television and radio stations have allowed us to get the word out about our needs. Yet, here we are...in danger of not having enough players...not having enough weapons on the field to win this thing. I'm stunned that not more of the home town has come along side us to support this home team.

As of yesterday, only 25% of the players had airline tickets to get to the game. And, while we, the players, continue to focus on football, the team management is trying to figure out discount travel options to get the best team on the playing field, “ I think that the team, as in the players, don’t worry about the financial backing. They worry about playing football.” says Amy Ashkinazy, Player Relations Director for the Diamonds. It’s the front-office that worries about the finances. It just makes our nights very restless because we are always worried and thinking of ways to get the players and the coaches to the games.”

Well, I am one player that worries about the finances. I just admit that...but I guess it is because I ask and know more instead of just concentrating on football...

And, even with all that press, we've only had about $200 dollars in donations in the last few weeks bringing our base to around $15,000. This falls short of the nearly $65,000 needed for travel to Seattle and the Championship game in Chicago. To some football fan out there $65,000 is chump change. To us, however, it means everything.

The Owner assures me we will have who and what we need in Seattle, but it has come with a hefty price to her, “We will have our starting team in Seattle. We will make this game, but I have lost thousands of dollars on Seattle, “ says Dawn Berndt, Owner of the Dallas Diamonds. “We want to bring DFW another championship and continue to let the world know the best athletes come from Texas. We need individuals and companies who want to be a part of what these great women are doing to come along side them and say ‘yes, we will help you get there and win!’”

It is truly an honor to be a part of the Dallas Diamonds, the most successful professional sports franchise in Texas in the 21^st Century. With three World Championship titles (O4’, O5’, 06’) since our inception in 2002, we are on a quest for a 4^th World Title. The Diamonds (8-0) dominated the California Quake (8-0), in the first round of the Western Division playoffs winning 69-3. Seattle (9-0) also dominated their first round opponent the Corvallis Pride (35-0). They will be a tough opponent.

We will be ready! We have worked hard to get to this point. The Championship is one game away. We can do this thing! We will do this thing! We are Champions who overcome and adapt.

To make donations and/or talk to the team about sponsorship, please contact the Diamonds or visit www.dallasdiamondsfootball.com .

You can watch the game live on www.ustream.tv . Game time is Saturday at 5:00PM.

Stay inspired,

Kip #45

Posted by Kip Watson on Jul 10, 2008 3:17 PM

E-mail this