Meet Your Utah Falconz

by NICOLE BERRY

The Utah Falconz is an entity like none other - a diverse, powerful, dynamic and talented group of women who play tackle football with all the passion and zeal the sport affords.  Led by visionary owner Hiroko Jolley, and a carefully assembled team of expert coaches, the Falconz swiftly took flight and have soared high above the clouds.

As a first-year team, they quickly caught the eyes of the nation as their offense literally "flew by" their opponents.  Defensively, nothing could infiltrate.  The Falconz went undefeated- scoring 462 points overall and only allowing 37 points during their 8-game season.  The 55 athletes that took the field each game were a squadron of spirit and grit.  Success seemed boundless...and it was electrifying.

How could a slew of ladies, most whom had never worn a helmet, inflame so much magic??  Maybe it can best be said by the words of Edwin Markham:

"Why build these cities glorious

If a man unbuilded goes?

Invain we build the word, unless

the builder also grows."

The Utah Falconz believe in the building of each soul.  Every practice, every drill.  Each player, each coach.  It starts with the love of the game, that gets the helmet on.  Then the willingness to be instructed gets the cleats on the field.  The coach's ability to recognize the value each brings, no matter size or speed, kindles the fire in the eyes.  And the hunger for competition, brings the fight.

Most athletes on the Falconz roster have played other sports and can attest that belonging to any great athletic organization fosters a sense of community, and female sports are a fantastic forum for women to share common goals and aspirations.  Life lessons are cultivated on the fields of competition - hard work, tenacity, cooperation, self-awareness, commitment, forgiveness, trust.  It's human nature to gravitate toward a network of positive forces that are united in purpose.  The synergy alone wins games.

But every Falcon will say that the X-factor for our success, is the combined willingness to give to something greater than ourselves.  Be the contributor, not the distraction.  It's the only true way to be effective.  No pom-pom cheer or locker room speech can replace being empowered to do great things - to feel valued, needed and essential, and to have your offering accepted by those around you.  Hoki and all the coaches are true champions of the athletes, driving the acceptance and camaraderie which resonates in the souls of each one.  You don't want to just play with the Falconz, you want to be a Falconz.  It means something.  Rosters will change with the seasons, but the essence of the team is enduring.

The battle cry for our upcoming season is "Cry "Havoc!" And let slip the dogs of war!" - a famous line from William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar.  "Havoc" is a military order permitting the seizure of spoil after victory, "let slip" is to unleash, and "dogs of war" refers to a wild pack of soldiers charging into battle.  We have beloved history buffs in our ranks and pre-game speeches frequently echo the tales of history's great battles and conquests.  So aptly chosen, "Havoc!" will be our cry as we charge into battle to victory...the dogs of war will be unleashed!