By Brigid Mullen

	Brian Calhoun (left) may have rushed for over 1,400 yards last season, but he isn't the only football star in Madison. Photo Courtesy of Brigid Mullen

So how does one go from pictures and pageants to football? Basically, I saw an ad in the student newspaper and gave the team owner a call. I had obvious questions like, "Is this for real?" and "Is it flag or tackle?" and "Can I still be in my fantasy league if I play?" Honestly, I had never heard of any type of women's football before.

The Women's Professional Football League (WPFL) has only been around for a few years. It is full-pad, hard-hitting, and in-your-face. Trust me, most of the women in this league are prepared and excited to grind your face into the dirt. Some are 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds of "I am going to rip those pretty little legs of yours right off."

We play by NFL rules. Our team, the WI Wolves, is part of the WPFL's National Conference (there is also an American). We will play home games in Madison and away games all over the country. Our first game is on July 22, and the championship is Nov. 4. We'll play at least 10 Saturday night games. Right now, the coaches have me at free safety, but I may also get some time at wide receiver and play both sides of the ball.

I am getting big-game butterflies just writing about it. I cannot possibly describe the levels of enthusiasm, excitement, and pure anticipation that all our ladies have on and off the field. It's awesome.

We've had team training sessions the past few weeks at an indoor field and were recently fitted for our pads. You are not allowed to laugh, but mine are size "boys, junior." Hey, just because some of us are small doesn't mean we don't pack a punch. This weekend will be exciting because we get to go to a practice at Camp Randall with the Badgers.

Look for my columns throughout the spring and summer (my next one will appear later this month), where I will bring you the down-and-dirty of what really goes on this season.

If you have any questions or comments, you can email me at feedback@sioncampus.com.

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