Not Just Another Football Team

by MICHAEL RAMOS

One of the best things about being on the Utah Falconz is it’s a team full of givers.

The giving starts at the top, with team owner, Hoki Jolley, and her husband Troy. They have given substantially, starting with tackling all the burdens that come with getting a fledgling franchise off the ground. Hoki also spends countless hours addressing administrative duties, including promoting the team and lining up sponsors.

On top of that, Hoki gives of her humanity. She’s part-time counselor, part-time team mom to several players. She’s constantly texting players, or pulling them aside and helping them with issues that extend beyond football. She also plays on the team. She’s one of the few people who sleeps less than I do.

Felix Falcon and his cohorts from the Mascot Miracles Foundation (MMF) give, as well. What they give, however, can’t be measured. The MMF works to provide wishes and requests to seriously ill kids, some of them terminally. Felix, Jazz Bear, Cosmo, Swoop and others host parties and events to benefit families who need it most.

Just as important, they ensure that those who’ve passed away are not forgotten. For all the pranks and silly string, the MMF are good people with huge hearts. How else do you explain the Ute and Coug mascots working together?

 Coaches are volunteers, meaning the hours we spend in coaches meetings, or pouring over game film, is gratis. With a staff full of former college and pro athletes, this is invaluable. And the coaches are always at it. Group texts and emails came at all hours of the day or night.

Then you’ve got the players. They do more than attend practices, film sessions and set aside time for away games. The ladies meet on their own, for extra conditioning, route running or to bond over football games at Buffalo Wild Wings.

When the MMF has an event, you’ll often see Falconz players there helping out. The small window of free time some players have is given in support of children, some of whom have little time left.

That’s why it’s a gift to be a part of this team. To be around so many people who sacrifice without complaining is a reward all its own.

This team is comprised of players from all walks of life. Included is a collection of single parents, college students, and young mothers starting to build families. For those of us who’ve been there, we know these are groups for whom a little extra money goes a long way. But in lieu of a part-time job, a player might go without so she can play the game she loves. Some of them cutback on the nice-to-have’s. Others enjoy gourmet meals of Top Ramen noodles. The urge to play football is so strong, you can give up a lot and still feel satisfied.

Each Falconz player pays to play football. The reality is that football games, referees and hotels cost money. Lots of it. Players work to offset this by sponsorship, as well as by donations they receive from fundraising and Go Fund Me pages.

For those looking for a gift idea during the holidays (and beyond), consider contributing to the Falconz. The team has lofty expectations for the 2015 season. If all goes according to plan, we’ll have a chance to fight for the WFA Championship. But that’s in Boston, which is a long way from Utah.

When you read the team bios, you can see who you’re supporting. The page allows you to donate to individual players. Support an army veteran, or a kid working on her degree. We’ve got high school coaches and yoga instructors. If you can’t decide, a team donation is always appreciated.

A gift to the team is almost the same as being a part of it. When we make our postseason push- and hopefully take home some hardware- you can tell your friends, “I had a hand in that.” You just might find that giving is a gift all its own.