Dallas Diamonds
Encyclopedia
The Dallas Diamonds are a women's professional
American football
team in the Women's Football Alliance
(WFA). It is made up of 46 player
s and has a coaching staff
of 10 . The Diamonds have four national championships; the first three were all obtained during their membership in the Women's Professional Football League
(WPFL) which was dissolved in 2008, and the fourth was in their first season in the Independent Women's Football League
.
The Diamonds franchise started in 2002 by owner Dawn Berndt. During the inaugural season, the Diamonds finished with a 5-5 record. The following season, the Diamonds improved to 8-2 and entered the playoffs as a wild card team. They lost on their home field, Birdville Fine Arts Complex
to the Florida Stingrays who moved on to lose in the championship game.
In 2004, the Diamonds recruited a solid rookie class and moved through the season undefeated. The Diamonds marched through the playoffs defeating the Houston Energy, SoCal Scorpions and eventually Northern Ice for their first title.
In 2005, the Diamonds continued the winning streak and finished the season undefeated. In the playoffs, they defeated the Houston Energy, SoCal Scorpions and New York Dazzles for their second title.
In 2006, the winning continued until the Diamonds broke the WPFL record with 33 straight wins. The loss came to the rival Houston Energy in Houston, TX. The league reorganized in 2006 and separated these two power house teams into different conferences. This provided what had been the two best teams statistically with an opportunity to face in the championship game. Both teams reached the Championship and fought back and forth with multiple lead changes until the Diamonds pulled ahead 34-27 early in the 4th quarter and never relinquished the lead.
In 2007, injuries and retirement plagued the franchise. In their first regular season without a playoff berth, management took a different approach. Offering her players an opportunity to play in a new league, several players came out of retirement to join the IWFL in 2008. Playing the Chicago Force in Chicago, the Diamonds won the 2008 IWFL Championship. The Diamonds currently play at Pennington Field in Bedford, Texas and have the most active message board in women's football at www.dallasdiamondsfootball.com.
In 2009, the Diamonds finished another regular season undefeated, winning the South Atlantic Division title. However, another IWFL title was not in the cards, as they lost the Eastern Conference Semifinals to the Boston Militia
, 34-14.
In 2010, the Diamonds won another division title, this time finishing first in the Midwest Division at 7-1. Though they defeated the Chicago Force 27-20 in the Western Conference Semifinals, they would lose to the Sacramento Sirens
45-43 in the conference title game.
For the 2011 season and beyond, the Diamonds will play in the Women's Football Alliance
.
quarterback
. During the 2007
season, Seimears walked the sidelines as the offensive
coach
. She returned to the field for the 2008
season and led the Diamonds to their 4th title in 5 seasons.
on November 20, 2004. The final score was Dallas Diamonds 62, Northern Ice 13. The MVP was Q Ragsdale, running back
for Dallas.
Fine Arts/Athletic Complex in North Richland Hills, Texas
on November 19, 2005. The final score was 61-8, Diamonds.
on November 4. 2006. The final score was 34-27, Diamonds
| colspan="6" align="center" | Dallas Diamonds (WPFL)
|-
|2002 || 5 || 5 || 0 || 3rd American West || --
|-
|2003 || 8 || 2 || 0 || 2nd American West|| Lost Divisional Playoffs (Florida)
|-
|2004 || 10 || 0 || 0 || 1st American West|| Won Divisional Playoffs (Houston)
Won American Conference Championship (SoCal)
Won WPFL Championship (Northern)
|-
|2005 || 10 || 0 || 0 || 1st American West|| Won Divisional Playoffs (Houston)
Won American Conference Championship (SoCal)
Won WPFL Championship (New York)
|-
|2006 || 7 || 1 || 0 || 1st American West || Won American Conference Championship (SoCal)
Won WPFL Championship (Houston)
|-
|2007 || 5 || 3 || 0 || 3rd American West || --
|-
| colspan="6" align="center" | Dallas Diamonds (IWFL)
|-
|2008 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st Tier I West MidSouth || Won Western Conference Semifinal (California
)
Won Western Conference Championship (Seattle
)
Won IWFL Tier I Championship (Chicago
)
|-
|2009 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st Tier I East South Atlantic || Lost Eastern Conference Semifinal (Boston
)
|-
|2010 || 7 || 1 || 0 || 1st Tier I West Midwest || Won Midwest Division Championship (Chicago
)
Lost Western Conference Championship (Sacramento
)
|-
| colspan="6" align="center" | Dallas Diamonds (WFA)
|-
|2011 || -- || -- || -- || -- || --
|-
!Totals || 80 || 15 || 0
|colspan="2"| (including playoffs)
** = Won by forfeit
Todd Hughes 2003-2004 Offensive Coordinator, Head Coach 2005-2008
WPFL Championship 2005-2006 ,IWFL Championship 2008 Record 37-4
Pat Hughes Rec Coach 2004- Defensive Coordinator 2005-2008
Mikal Black 2004 Defensive Line Coach, 2005-2008 Assistant Head Coach
, the Diamonds host a weekly talk-show formatted webcast
. It is produced by BISD TV (Comcast
channel 30 in Dallas/Fort Worth). The games are also often broadcast on Ustream.tv by BISD TV.
Professional sports
Professional sports, as opposed to amateur sports, are sports in which athletes receive payment for their performance. Professional athleticism has come to the fore through a combination of developments. Mass media and increased leisure have brought larger audiences, so that sports organizations...
American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team in the Women's Football Alliance
Women's Football Alliance
The Women's Football Alliance is a full-contact Women's American football league which began play in the spring of 2009. They have now completed three full seasons and grew to over 60 teams slated for the 2011 season. The women play 11 person tackle football games with rules that basically mirror...
(WFA). It is made up of 46 player
Player (game)
A player of a game is a participant therein. The term 'player' is used with this same meaning both in game theory and in ordinary recreational games....
s and has a coaching staff
Coaching staff
The coaching staff is a group of non-athletes tied to a sports team. It is led by a head coach , and consists of one or more assistant coaches, together with other members such as doctors, massage therapists, trainers, and equipment managers....
of 10 . The Diamonds have four national championships; the first three were all obtained during their membership in the Women's Professional Football League
Women's Professional Football League
The Women's Professional Football League is the original and longest operating women's professional American football league in the United States. Now with teams across the United States, the WPFL had its first game in 1999 with just two original teams: the Lake Michigan Minx and the Minnesota...
(WPFL) which was dissolved in 2008, and the fourth was in their first season in the Independent Women's Football League
Independent Women's Football League
The Independent Women's Football League was founded in 2000, and began play in 2001.IWFL founders began with the goal to establish a quality women's football league that would be respected as the top level of women's tackle football in the world....
.
The Diamonds franchise started in 2002 by owner Dawn Berndt. During the inaugural season, the Diamonds finished with a 5-5 record. The following season, the Diamonds improved to 8-2 and entered the playoffs as a wild card team. They lost on their home field, Birdville Fine Arts Complex
Birdville ISD Fine Arts/Athletics Complex
The Birdville ISD Fine Arts/Athletics Complex is a multi-purpose stadium located in North Richland Hills, Texas. The 12,000 seat stadium is primarily used for high school football games for Birdville High School, Richland High School , and Haltom High School. The stadium is also used for BISD's...
to the Florida Stingrays who moved on to lose in the championship game.
In 2004, the Diamonds recruited a solid rookie class and moved through the season undefeated. The Diamonds marched through the playoffs defeating the Houston Energy, SoCal Scorpions and eventually Northern Ice for their first title.
In 2005, the Diamonds continued the winning streak and finished the season undefeated. In the playoffs, they defeated the Houston Energy, SoCal Scorpions and New York Dazzles for their second title.
In 2006, the winning continued until the Diamonds broke the WPFL record with 33 straight wins. The loss came to the rival Houston Energy in Houston, TX. The league reorganized in 2006 and separated these two power house teams into different conferences. This provided what had been the two best teams statistically with an opportunity to face in the championship game. Both teams reached the Championship and fought back and forth with multiple lead changes until the Diamonds pulled ahead 34-27 early in the 4th quarter and never relinquished the lead.
In 2007, injuries and retirement plagued the franchise. In their first regular season without a playoff berth, management took a different approach. Offering her players an opportunity to play in a new league, several players came out of retirement to join the IWFL in 2008. Playing the Chicago Force in Chicago, the Diamonds won the 2008 IWFL Championship. The Diamonds currently play at Pennington Field in Bedford, Texas and have the most active message board in women's football at www.dallasdiamondsfootball.com.
In 2009, the Diamonds finished another regular season undefeated, winning the South Atlantic Division title. However, another IWFL title was not in the cards, as they lost the Eastern Conference Semifinals to the Boston Militia
Boston Militia
The Boston Militia are a women's full contact football team in the Women's Football Alliance, of which they are the current defending champions...
, 34-14.
In 2010, the Diamonds won another division title, this time finishing first in the Midwest Division at 7-1. Though they defeated the Chicago Force 27-20 in the Western Conference Semifinals, they would lose to the Sacramento Sirens
Sacramento Sirens
The Sacramento Sirens are a women's semi-professional American football team, located in Sacramento, California. The team has compiled one of the most successful records in women’s full tackle football.-History:...
45-43 in the conference title game.
For the 2011 season and beyond, the Diamonds will play in the Women's Football Alliance
Women's Football Alliance
The Women's Football Alliance is a full-contact Women's American football league which began play in the spring of 2009. They have now completed three full seasons and grew to over 60 teams slated for the 2011 season. The women play 11 person tackle football games with rules that basically mirror...
.
Jessica Springer
Jessica Springer is the Diamond's starting running back and linebacker. In 2004, she was the WPFL Howington Award Winner which is awarded to the league MVP. She runs a 4.88 40-yd dash and holds powerlifting records in both the bench press and dead lift in her weight category. She retired briefly during 2007 and returned for the last half of the season. The Diamonds did not make it into the playoffs in 2007 and Springer returned in her best form for 2008. She led the league in TDs and averaged over 11 yards per carry. During the championship game, she was the heart and soul of the team. She had an interception and every TD the Diamonds scored on offense came on the ground in Springer's hands. She carried the ball 9 times in OT and scored up the middle from 11 yards out to secure the Diamonds 4th ring in 5 years.Karen Seimears
Karen Seimears is the Diamond's startingStarting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
. During the 2007
2007 in sports
2007 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* February 4 – Indianapolis Colts beat the Chicago Bears 29-17 to win Super Bowl XLI at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The win was the Colts' first Super Bowl Championship since their 1970-71 team, when...
season, Seimears walked the sidelines as the offensive
Offense (sports)
In sports, offense or offence , also known as attack, is the action of attacking or engaging an opposing team with the objective of scoring points or goals...
coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
. She returned to the field for the 2008
2008 in sports
2008 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* Louisiana State University Tigers defeat The Ohio State University Buckeyes 38-24 in the 2008 BCS National Championship Game, thus becoming the first two-time BCS National Champions, and the first BCS titlists with two...
season and led the Diamonds to their 4th title in 5 seasons.
2004
The Diamonds took on the Northern Ice in WPFL Championship Game VI. This took place in Long Beach, CaliforniaLong Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
on November 20, 2004. The final score was Dallas Diamonds 62, Northern Ice 13. The MVP was Q Ragsdale, running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
for Dallas.
2005
The Diamonds played the New York Dazzles in WPFL Championship Game VII. This took place at the BirdvilleBirdville Independent School District
The Birdville Independent School District is a K-12 public school district based in Haltom City, Texas . It has about 22,000 students in 32 schools. Its superintendent is Stephen F. Waddell...
Fine Arts/Athletic Complex in North Richland Hills, Texas
North Richland Hills, Texas
North Richland Hills is a city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States, and a suburb of Fort Worth. The population was 63,343 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth largest city in Tarrant County. In 2006, North Richland Hills was selected as one of the "Top 100 Best Places to live in America"...
on November 19, 2005. The final score was 61-8, Diamonds.
2006
The Diamonds played the Houston Energy in WPFL Championship Game VIII, which took place in Roswell, GeorgiaRoswell, Georgia
Roswell is a city located in northern Fulton County; it is a suburb of northern Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The 2010 Census population was 88,346. It is the eighth largest city in Georgia...
on November 4. 2006. The final score was 34-27, Diamonds
2008
The Diamonds played the Chicago Force in IWFL Championship Game, which took place in Chicago, Illinois on July 25, 2008. The Diamonds won in overtime 35-29. Jessica Springer was the game MVP and announced her retirement after the game. Coach Todd Hughes also announced his retirement.Season-By-Season
|-| colspan="6" align="center" | Dallas Diamonds (WPFL)
|-
|2002 || 5 || 5 || 0 || 3rd American West || --
|-
|2003 || 8 || 2 || 0 || 2nd American West|| Lost Divisional Playoffs (Florida)
|-
|2004 || 10 || 0 || 0 || 1st American West|| Won Divisional Playoffs (Houston)
Won American Conference Championship (SoCal)
Won WPFL Championship (Northern)
|-
|2005 || 10 || 0 || 0 || 1st American West|| Won Divisional Playoffs (Houston)
Won American Conference Championship (SoCal)
Won WPFL Championship (New York)
|-
|2006 || 7 || 1 || 0 || 1st American West || Won American Conference Championship (SoCal)
Won WPFL Championship (Houston)
|-
|2007 || 5 || 3 || 0 || 3rd American West || --
|-
| colspan="6" align="center" | Dallas Diamonds (IWFL)
|-
|2008 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st Tier I West MidSouth || Won Western Conference Semifinal (California
California Quake
The California Quake is a women's semi-professional tackle football team based in Los Angeles County, California. The Quake currently play in the Western Conference, Tier 1 Pacific Southwest Division of the Independent Women's Football League. Home games are played at Downey High School's Allen...
)
Won Western Conference Championship (Seattle
Seattle Majestics
The Seattle Majestics are a professional Women's American football team based in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Majestics play in the Western Conference, Pacific Northwest Division of the Independent Women's Football League...
)
Won IWFL Tier I Championship (Chicago
Chicago Force
The Chicago Force is a women's football team that is now in the Women's Football Alliance. Founded in 2003, the team has previously played at De La Salle HS & St...
)
|-
|2009 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st Tier I East South Atlantic || Lost Eastern Conference Semifinal (Boston
Boston Militia
The Boston Militia are a women's full contact football team in the Women's Football Alliance, of which they are the current defending champions...
)
|-
|2010 || 7 || 1 || 0 || 1st Tier I West Midwest || Won Midwest Division Championship (Chicago
Chicago Force
The Chicago Force is a women's football team that is now in the Women's Football Alliance. Founded in 2003, the team has previously played at De La Salle HS & St...
)
Lost Western Conference Championship (Sacramento
Sacramento Sirens
The Sacramento Sirens are a women's semi-professional American football team, located in Sacramento, California. The team has compiled one of the most successful records in women’s full tackle football.-History:...
)
|-
| colspan="6" align="center" | Dallas Diamonds (WFA)
|-
|2011 || -- || -- || -- || -- || --
|-
!Totals || 80 || 15 || 0
|colspan="2"| (including playoffs)
2009
| Date | Opponent | Home Home team In team sports, the term home advantage describes the advantage–usually a psychological advantage–that the home team is said to have over the visiting team as a result of playing in familiar facilities and in front of supportive fans... /Away Home team In team sports, the term home advantage describes the advantage–usually a psychological advantage–that the home team is said to have over the visiting team as a result of playing in familiar facilities and in front of supportive fans... |
Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 11 | Houston Energy | Home | Won 69-0 |
| April 18 | Louisiana Fuel | Away | Won 27-0 |
| April 25 | Shreveport Aftershock | Home | Won 59-0 |
| May 2 | Atlanta Xplosion Atlanta Xplosion The Atlanta Ravens, formerly known as the Atlanta Xplosion, is a football team in the Independent Women's Football League. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the Ravens play their home games in nearby Roswell at Centennial High School.-2003:... |
Away | Won 32-7 |
| May 16 | Louisiana Fuel | Home | Won 64-0 |
| May 30 | Miami Fury Miami Fury The Miami Fury is a football team in the Women's Football Alliance. Based in Miami, Florida, the Fury plays its home games at North Miami Athletic Stadium.-2000:... |
Home | Won 41-8 |
| June 6 | Houston Energy | Away | Won 61-20 |
| June 13 | Houston Energy | Home | Won 76-7 |
| June 27 | Boston Militia Boston Militia The Boston Militia are a women's full contact football team in the Women's Football Alliance, of which they are the current defending champions... (Eastern Conference Semifinal) |
Away | Lost 14-34 |
2010
| Date | Opponent | Home Home team In team sports, the term home advantage describes the advantage–usually a psychological advantage–that the home team is said to have over the visiting team as a result of playing in familiar facilities and in front of supportive fans... /Away Home team In team sports, the term home advantage describes the advantage–usually a psychological advantage–that the home team is said to have over the visiting team as a result of playing in familiar facilities and in front of supportive fans... |
Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 3 | Houston Energy | Home | Won 34-12 |
| April 10 | Kansas City Tribe Kansas City Tribe The Kansas City Tribe is a football team in the Women's Football Alliance based in Kansas City, Missouri. Home games are played at Center High School.-2008:... |
Away | Lost 21-28 |
| April 24 | Minnesota Vixen Minnesota Vixen The Minnesota Vixen are a professional women's football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The team has been known as the Minnesota Vixens and Minneapolis Vixens prior to being known as the Vixen .... |
Home | Won 79-0 |
| May 1 | Memphis Belles Memphis Belles The Memphis Belles are a women's professional tackle football team and members of the Independent Women's Football League. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, the Memphis Belles played their 2010 home games at Halle Stadium football field in Memphis, Tennessee... |
Away | Won 49-6 |
| May 8 | Atlanta Xplosion Atlanta Xplosion The Atlanta Ravens, formerly known as the Atlanta Xplosion, is a football team in the Independent Women's Football League. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the Ravens play their home games in nearby Roswell at Centennial High School.-2003:... |
Home | Won 23-3 |
| May 15 | H-Town Texas Cyclones H-Town Texas Cyclones The H-Town Texas Cyclones are a team of the Independent Women's Football League. Based in Houston, the Cyclones play their home games at Reggie Grob Stadium on the campus of the Spring Branch Independent School District. The Cyclones are the second IWFL team based in Houston, after the Houston... |
Away | Won 2-0* |
| May 22 | Kansas City Tribe | Home | Won 35-21 |
| June 5 | Houston Energy | Away | Won 44-36 |
| June 12 | Chicago Force Chicago Force The Chicago Force is a women's football team that is now in the Women's Football Alliance. Founded in 2003, the team has previously played at De La Salle HS & St... |
Home | Won 27-20 |
| July 10 | Sacramento Sirens Sacramento Sirens The Sacramento Sirens are a women's semi-professional American football team, located in Sacramento, California. The team has compiled one of the most successful records in women’s full tackle football.-History:... |
Away | Lost 43-45 |
Coaching staff
Todd Haistens 2003-2004 Head Coach WPFL Championship 2004 Record 20-3Todd Hughes 2003-2004 Offensive Coordinator, Head Coach 2005-2008
WPFL Championship 2005-2006 ,IWFL Championship 2008 Record 37-4
Pat Hughes Rec Coach 2004- Defensive Coordinator 2005-2008
Mikal Black 2004 Defensive Line Coach, 2005-2008 Assistant Head Coach
Media
During the seasonSeason (sports)
In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...
, the Diamonds host a weekly talk-show formatted webcast
Webcast
A webcast is a media presentation distributed over the Internet using streaming media technology to distribute a single content source to many simultaneous listeners/viewers. A webcast may either be distributed live or on demand...
. It is produced by BISD TV (Comcast
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
channel 30 in Dallas/Fort Worth). The games are also often broadcast on Ustream.tv by BISD TV.