The National Women's Football Association has announced the formation of the Gulf Coast Herricanes which will replace the Biloxi Herricanes. The Gulf Coast Herricanes license was sold to Gulfport, Miss., resident, Tammy Long.
Tammy is an active duty Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy stationed at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.
"I was actually a player last year and was looking forward to my first season and hopefully playing quarterback," Long said. "When I got a very "short fuse" notice that my battalion was being deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom -- no kidding! So instead of packing my cleats, pads and gear, I ended up packing my sea bag and away I went for seven months."
"I am very optimistic and passionate about the future of the Gulf Coast Herricanes. We have an awesome coaching staff and players who are all about fulfilling their lifetime dreams of playing football, setting the example and being role models in our great community," Long added.
"As long as we laugh, have fun, strengthen our minds and bodies, feed courage, grow, win and remain committed to the team, anything is possible for the Gulf Coast Herricanes," Long said. "I'm honored to be a part of a great team and look forward to introducing the National Women's Football Association to the Gulf Coast and all surrounding cities."
The NWFA is the largest tackle football league in the world with 37 teams in 23 states. The league wrapped up its 2003 season with the National Women's Football Championship Game that was held at Vanderbilt University in Nashville in front of 5,726 fans.
The NWFA also has a 5-year TV deal with The Football Network which includes a game of the week as well as coverage of the league's playoff games, the National Championship game and a weekly highlight show during the season.
The 2008 season for the Gulf Coast Herricanes begins April 26 in Houston, Texas.
