Broad Ripple Random Ripplings
search menu
The news from Broad Ripple
Brought to you by The Broad Ripple Gazette
(Delivering the news since 2004, every two weeks)
Subscribe to Broad Ripple Random Ripplings
Brought to you by:
VirtualBroadRipple.com Broad Ripple collector pins EverythingBroadRipple.com

Everything Broad Ripple HomearrowRandom Ripplings Homearrow2007 09 07arrowRandom Rippling

back button return to index button next button
Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v04n18)
Indiana's women's professional football team, the Speed, call Broad Ripple their home turf - By Ashley Plummer
posted: Sept. 07, 2007

By Ashley Plummer

Move over, boys. There is a new breed of football player in Indiana-and they can play just as hard, rough and with as much skill and dedication as any male. They are the women of the Indiana Speed, the state's own women's professional football team.

The women of the Indiana Speed watch from the sidelines at Broad Ripple High School.
The women of the Indiana Speed watch from the sidelines at Broad Ripple High School.
Quan


The Indiana Speed was formed in April of 2002. There had been a start-up women's team prior to the Speed, called the Viper. The two teams eventually became one, and began to work through the early stages of joining the Women's Professional Football League (WPFL).
"Many women do not have the opportunity to continue their athletic careers after high school or college," team co-owner Sandi Ballard-Groth said. "Most of the women who play for the speed were high school or college athletes who always loved football and wish to continue to create opportunities for females in athletics.
"We have a few players on our team who did play football on their high school teams, but that tends to be rare, because most women never knew how they could actually try out for high school football teams."
Ballard-Groth said that a lot of the players (who range anywhere from age 20 to 44) played soccer, softball or volleyball in high school.
"April Priest (the other team owner) was actually a swimmer in high school who still holds numerous records," she said. "Most of these women are so athletic they could do anything if they tried."
According to the Indiana Speed website (www.indianaspeed.org) most of the women's day jobs range from physical therapists, police officers, engineers, teachers and even stay-at-home moms.
Ballard-Groth described the women as "a little family."
"We all get along very well, we tend to refer to the team as our second family," she said. "You have to get along outside the game to perform well on the field. We take getting to know each other seriously and the off-field time that involves traveling and events is a great time to do so."
The team's mission statement is outlined on their webpage as encouraging the continued growth and enhancing the visibility of women's athletics, while providing community outreach services and an entertaining atmosphere for the entire family.
When asked how the community was responding to the team, Ballard-Groth said that word about the team is finally getting out.
"Every year we play, it seems like we have a new fan base. I feel like our best form of communication so far has been word of mouth," she said.
She highlighted the fact that the women have had to be creative in their marketing strategies until they receive larger sponsorship.
Ballard-Groth, who plays wide receiver and cornerback, said that the ladies practice twice a week, usually on Monday and Thursday. When they have games on Saturdays, they have a walk-through on Friday. The ladies are coached by Sam "Woody" Wood (head coach), Diego Hollins (DB coach), Beniah "B" Hannah (RB coach) and Scott Cordova (Line Coach). The staff consists of Marie Dewolf (head athletic trainer) and Cindy Wood (team mom).
The ladies next home game at Broad Ripple High School will take place on September 15. After the game, the ladies are more than happy to welcome their fans to join them for post-game celebration at Pat Flynns (5198 Allisonville Rd.) for food, fun and team camaraderie, win or lose.
"I really feel that if people would just come out, they would really be hooked on the sport," Ballard-Groth said. "Just coming to a game immediately gets rid of any preconceived notions anyone might have about women's football."
If you would like to contact the team for further information, please call Ballard-Groth at (317) 216-5899. www.indianaspeed.org


back button return to index button next button
Brought to you by:
BroadRippleHistory.com Broad Ripple collector pins EverythingBroadRipple.com
Brought to you by:
EverythingBroadRipple.com RandomRipplings.com Broad Ripple collector pins