October 27, 2020 ·
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News
Due to demand the Minnesota Vixen have added a second tryout for their 2021 season. In conjunction with the WFA’s National Tryout Day on Nov. 7 sponsored by Xenith, the Vixen will be holding a combine to select players for their 2021 roster. Additionally, for players already on the roster, the Vixen will be having a pass, punt and kick tryout for their current players who are interested in trying out for QB, kicker and punter positions.
The first tryout for the Vixen had almost 40 new female and non-binary athletes. Since then, according to Vixen owner Laura Brown, numerous athletes have contacted the organization inquiring if there will be additional tryouts. “Women want to play this sport” states Brown. “Football is an amazing , challenging team sport that any athlete male, female or non-binary should have the opportunity to play” she continues. Since 1999, the Vixen have been kicking off each season with both veteran and rookie players who would not have otherwise had a chance to play football.
COVID-19 is not slowing this football team down. The Vixen are planning on moving their practices into domes for 2021 as well as modifying practices to keep both players and staff safe during these challenging times. In fact, the sport of women’s tackle football is growing and sponsors are recognizing the growth. Xenith is sponsoring the WFA’s National Tryout Day as well as partnering with the WFA for their equipment needs. Just last year, Procter and Gamble through their Secret Deodorant brand have sponsored the WFA’s National Championship. Other notable sponsor for the WFA include Coors Light, Wilson, KT Tape, Prizmatic Solutions, Glazier Clinics, Team Builder and Adenation.
October 26, 2020 ·
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News
Yesterday, October 11, marked the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights which is now known as National Coming Out Day in the United States. This day is not only a celebration but serves a reminder that there is power in coming out and that silence can be harmful. A big moment in many members of the LGBTQ+ community is the moment they “came out” to family and friends. “Often through support of others, we can find the strength to be ourselves” owner Laura Brown stated. Since it’s inception in 1999, the Vixen organization has been a key member and supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and their LGBTQ+ players. Vixen player Amanda Dvorak posted yesterday “This team has done SO much for me in my life and one thing is they made me feel I could be who I wanted to be and still supported and accepted!”
Resources
The Trevor Project’s Coming Out: A Handbook for LGBTQ Young People, is a resource that covers a wide range of topics to support LGBTQ young people in exploring what coming out safely can mean for them.
Human Rights Campaign Foundation resources:
October 2, 2020 ·
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News
The National Association of Sports Public Address Announcers (NASPAA) has named Brian Sweeney as a co-recipient of the 2019-20 Bob Sheppard High School P.A. Announcer of the Year Award.
Sweeney, also known as Announcer Guy, has been the voice of Vixen home games for the last six seasons. “His professionalism, excitement and ability to enhance the fan experience has been an integral to the success the Vixen have achieved at home” says Vixen owner Laura Brown. “Sweeney goes above and beyond to deliver the best product to the fans that he can.” she continues. In 2019, Sweeney stepped into the role as color commentator for the Vixen away games bringing the away games to life for the fans at home to much acclaim.
You won’t find Announcer Guy just at Vixen games though. You may recognize his voice from the WFA Championship Game as the play-by-play commentator or from the Women’s Hall of Fame Game. Not limited to women’s football, he has been a staple of Simley High School athletics for the last six years including hockey, baseball, boy’s and girl’s lacrosse, football, boy’s and girls’ soccer, volleyball and dance. Not to mention his collegiate responsibilities with University of St. Thomas (hockey), and Concordia University St. Paul (football, lacrosse, soccer,
and volleyball) and NCAA Women’s Div III Ice Hockey Championship.
No matter the sport, Sweeney has dedicated himself to not only the fans but the athletes as well. “It is an honor to be mentioned in the same sentence as the legendary Bob Sheppard,” remarked Sweeney. “From the beginning of my announcing career, I have always been driven to be professional. Hopefully, the athletes whose games I announced will look back on their playing days with positive memories and know that I gave them 100%.”
“There are some really good announcers at the high school level, and Brian is certainly one the best,” said Brad Rumble, NASPAA Executive Director. “The NASPAA is thrilled to have the opportunity to recognize him. We know that he will not only be a tremendous ambassador for P.A. Announcing professionalism but will represent the best of Bob Shepard in helping perpetuate his legacy.”
October 1, 2020 ·
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News
Stay F
it and support your favorite Women’s Football team during these unique times! The WFA and Vixen are proud to announce the first annual WFA Touchdown Run Virtual 5K.
Run the WFA Touchdown Run on your own course, at a time of your choosing and log your finish online. We’ll keep a log of how many touchdown miles have been run nationwide in support women and their dreams to play football! When registering you’ll be given the option to select which WFA team you are running for. Your selected team will receive all proceeds from your registration to help them with 2021 season fundraising!
Register by October 18, 2020 to guarantee your custom WFA race medal. Be sure to use #WFATouchdownRun to share your experience on social media and show us your best touchdown celebration! Lastly, be sure to have fun, be safe, and be proud you are supporting women in sports!
Click here to register.
September 1, 2020 ·
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News
We are currently looking for women of all shapes and sizes for the 2021 season. We don’t require any prior football experience – we will teach you everything you need to know!
With over 20 seasons under their belt, the Vixen are one of the leading women’s tackle team in the nation. They play 11-on-11, NFL-style football (outdoor, full pads and full tackle). These are real hits, real women and real football. The Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) has over 60 teams from coast-to-coast. Ranked in the top ten consistently over the last 6 years, the Vixen are on the hunt for their first national title. Are you ready to be a champion?
2021 Season Tryouts
When:
September 19, 2020
TIME: Starting at 9 am
Due to COVID, groups of 7 will begin every 15 minutes from 9 am to 10 am.
For more information visit mnvixen.com/tryouts or click here to register!
July 18, 2020 ·
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News
This summer the Vixen are running in the Her Next Play Virtual 5K.
The Her Next Play Virtual 5K brings communities together to get active, train, have fun, and support Her Next Play’s mission to empower more girls, athletes, and women to lead in our communities. Training kicks off July 6th and I’ll be working hard preparing all summer to complete the race the week of August 1st -9th.
We are running to raise money for Her Next Play. Her Next Play is a non profit whose mission is to develop the next generation of women leaders through sports. Her Next Play programs inspire girls to stay in sports, help girls develop leadership skills through sports, and help female athletes accelerate their careers.
Please consider a donation to support our fundraising goals. Just $25 can help Her Next Play send a girl to a Play Bold Huddle program. $75 can send 5 girls to a SEE US workshop. $100 can fund a Career Coaching Circle.
Thank you so much for supporting us!
https://runsignup.com/Race/92771/Donate/uqbvKIoxbErsMPQr
July 18, 2020 ·
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News
On behalf of the WFA and the Minnesota Vixen, the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 has left us angry, frustrated and deeply saddened. We feel for his family, friends, and community, and we struggle with the senselessness of his death and grieve that he should be alive today.
As human beings who care about our neighbors and community members, we must demand better. Better from our leaders, our systems, ourselves, and each other. We need to stand together against systematic inequities and discrimination that lead to senseless loss of life, and inequities that impact the daily lives of communities of color.
To our players, coaches, and fans of color, we see you and we stand with you.✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏼✊🏽
January 15, 2020 ·
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News
By Brian Sweeney
The Minnesota Vixen begin their 22nd season of play this year. Last season the Vixen finished 7-2 with only one regular season loss with the other loss in the WFA Conference Quarter Final Round.
With a strong group of returning players and coaches including second year Head Coach Ryan McCauley, the Vixen look to expand their 11 seasons of winning records with 7 of the last 10 including three division titles and two conference titles in that time. The Vixen are making the jump this season to the Women’s Football Alliance’s top division, Division 1, and are not going to hold anything back. Will this be the year that the Vixen bring the state of Minnesota a championship? Here is what is in store for the 2020 season.
Vixen (Div I) opponents 2019 summary.
St Louis Slam (Div I)
The Vixen will face the Slam both home and away this season. In 2019, Vixen lost both a regular season game and the quarter finals of the playoffs to the Slam. While the Slam hold an all-time 3-0 advantage over Minnesota, the Vixen held the Slam to the fewest points scored (16) and were one of the few teams to score a touchdown against the tough Slam defense last season. The Slam are the 2019 Division II Champions and will also be making the jump to Division I this season. In 2019 the Slam finished 11-0.
Midwest Mountain Lions (Div III)
The Midwest Mountain Lions will be played two times, home and away. The Mountain Lions are new this season to the WFA.
Cali War (Div I)
Cali comes to Minnesota for the first ever meeting between the two teams. Cali War is both the 2018 and 2019 Div I runners up. In 2019, Cali War finished 8-1 with their only loss in the National Championship Game.
Iowa Phoenix (Div III)
Iowa Phoenix will be played twice, home and away. Last season, Minnesota won both meetings between the two teams. All-time Minnesota holds a 2-0 advantage. In their 2019 inaugural season Iowa finished 2-6.
Boston Renegades (Div I)
Minnesota will travel to face Boston this season for the first ever meeting between the two teams. Boston is the 2018, 2019 Division I Champions. In 2019 Boston finished 10-0.
Lifetime the Vixen have a 2-3 record against their 2020 opponents.
2020 WFA DIV I TEAMS
There are eight teams in WFA Division I this season. The Vixen are one of five teams in the American Conference along with Cali War, Arlington Impact, Dallas Elite and St Louis Slam. The Division I National Conference teams consist of Boston Renegades, DC Divas, and Pittsburgh Passion. Which two teams will meet on July 11th for the National Championship?
Keep up to date by following the Minnesota Vixen on social media including
Twitter: @MN_Vixen
Facebook: Minnesota Vixen Women’s Football
Instagram: @ MN_Vixen
Also follow Brian ‘Announcer Guy’ Sweeney across all social media @mnannouncerguy
December 17, 2019 ·
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News
Congrats to this year’s Vixen nominees for the John and Kathryn Frandson Memorial Scholarship Award for Vixen of the Year.
Sam Barber
Maria Beck
Cynthia Bryant
Wanda Dz Carter
Taylor Fox
Jocelyn Nelson
Sarah Stuhr
Tilly Tilford
This award goes to those who have impacted their community through their volunteer work as well as being a great teammate and Vixen. There were a lot of great nominees but two players stood out as our finalist, Jocelyn Nelson and Wanda Dz Carter.
Congratulations Jocelyn and Wanda!
To learn more about the scholarship, visit John and Kathryn Memorial Scholarship Award for Vixen of the Year.
November 8, 2019 ·
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News
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