Pittsburgh Passion

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Pittsburgh Passion
PittsburghPassion.PNG
Founded2002
League NWFA (2003-2007)
IWFL (2008-2010)
WFA (2011-2013)
IWFL (2014-2015)
WFA (2016-present)
Team historyPittsburgh Passion (2003-present)
Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Stadium West Allegheny High School
Imperial, Pennsylvania
ColorsBlack & Gold, White
OwnerTeresa Conn, Anthony Misitano & estate of Franco Harris
Head coachTeresa Conn
Championships3 (NWFA: 2007; IWFL: 2014, 2015)
Division titles10 (NWFA: 2007; IWFL: 2008, 2014, 2015; WFA: 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2024)

The Pittsburgh Passion is a women's American football team based in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. The franchise was formed in March 2002 and is currently owned by Teresa Conn, Anthony Misitano, and the family of Franco Harris. The team is a part of the Women's Football Alliance, with home games played at West Allegheny High School in Imperial, Pennsylvania.

Contents

History

In 2003, the Passion played its home games at Belle Vernon Area High School. The team finished its inaugural season with a 2–6 record. The average attendance at each of their four home games that season was between 1 and 10 fans every game.

In 2004 season, the Passion changed its home stadium to Ambridge High School's Moe Rubenstein Stadium. The team improved its regular season record to 6–2, just missing the playoffs as a Northern Conference wildcard team. The Passion led the league in attendance for 2004 with crowds approaching 10 fans per game.

In 2005, the Passion carried an active roster of 55 players along with a practice squad.

Starting in 2006, the Passion have played its home games at George K. Cupples Stadium (formerly "South Stadium") in the South Side of Pittsburgh.

In 2007, the Passion recorded an undefeated regular season going 8–0. After winning all three of their home playoff games, the team improved to 11-0 after victories over Erie, the West Michigan Mayhem, and Cleveland. The team then won the National Championship Game on July 21, 2007, against the Columbus Comets by a score of 32–0.

In 2008, the Passion recorded their second consecutive perfect regular season, finishing 8–0, winning the North Atlantic Division title, and defeating the Orlando Mayhem in the Eastern Conference Semifinal. However, they lost the Eastern Conference Championship to the Chicago Force by a score of 8–7, ending their 23-game winning streak that dated back to 2006.

In 2009, the Passion finished 7–1, good for the Eastern Conference wild card spot. However, they lost the Eastern Conference Semifinal to eventual conference champion D.C. Divas 27–17.

In 2010, the Passion finished 4-4, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

For 2011, the Passion joined the Women's Football Alliance. They finished their inaugural regular season with a perfect 8-0 and won the Mid-Atlantic Division title before losing to the Chicago Force in the National Conference quarterfinal game.

The Passion returned to the IWFL for the 2014 season, finishing with the regular season with an 8-0 record and winning their second championship. In 2015, the Passion completed their second straight undefeated season, winning another IWFL championship.

For the 2016 season, the Passion returned to the WFA, winning their fourth consecutive division title, and sixth in team history.

Despite several strong seasons since their return to WFA, the Passion were moved down to the WFA's second division for the 2019 season.

Notable achievements

Season-By-Season

Season records
SeasonWLTFinishPlayoff results
Pittsburgh Passion (NWFA)
20032604th Mid-Atlantic Division--
20046202nd North Mid-Atlantic--
20055309th North Division--
20065303rd North Central--
20078001st North CentralWon Northern Conference Quarterfinal (Erie)
Won Northern Conference Semifinal (West Michigan)
Won Northern Conference Championship (Cleveland)
Won NWFA Championship (Columbus)
Pittsburgh Passion (IWFL)
20088001st East North AtlanticWon Eastern Conference Semifinal (Orlando)
Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Chicago)
20097102nd East Mid AtlanticLost Eastern Conference Semifinal (D.C.)
20104403rd East Northeast--
Pittsburgh Passion (WFA)
20118001st National Mid-AtlanticLost National Conference Quarterfinal (Chicago)
20127102nd National Division 3Won National Conference First Round (Detroit)
Lost National Conference Quarterfinal (D.C.)
20137301st National Division 2Lost National Conference First Round (Boston)
Pittsburgh Passion (IWFL)
20148001st Mid Atlantic DivisionWon IWFL Quarterfinal (Keystone)
Won IWFL Semifinal (New York)
Won IWFL Championship (Houston)
20157001st Mid Atlantic DivisionWon IWFL Quarterfinal (New York)
Won IWFL Semifinal (Carolina)
Won IWFL Championship (Utah)
Pittsburgh Passion (WFA)
20166201st National Central NorthWon National Conference Quarterfinal (Atlanta)
Lost National Conference Semifinal (D.C.)
20177203rd National NortheastWon National Conference Quarterfinal (Atlanta)
Lost National Conference Semifinal (Chicago)
20187101st National NortheastLost National Conference Semifinal (Boston)
20193101st National Northeast 2Won National Conference Semifinal (New York)
Lost National Conference Final (Detroit)
2022420-Won National Conference Semifinal (Tampa Bay)
Lost National Conference Final (Boston)
20233303rd NationalLost National Conference Semifinal (Alabama)
20246001st NationalWon National Conference Semifinal (Tampa Bay)
Lost National Conference Final (Boston)
Totals135460(including playoffs)

* = current standing

Roster

Pittsburgh Passion Roster 2025
Quarterbacks
  • 11 Marcelina Chavez
  • 28 Emma Gurley
Running Backs
  • 4 Kierra Jackson
  • 10 Sarah Paladin
  • 20 Arielle Smith
  • 31 Qualin Pitts
  • 52 Devan Sanders
Tight Ends
  • 26 Lindsay Baughman
  • 35 Fanica Payne
  • 86 Kodie Johnson
Wide Receivers
  • 5 Melissa Hall
  • 22 Ellisyn Mularski
  • 40 Paije Bragg
  • 41 Angela Cardillo
  • 43 Davonna Jennings
  • 81 Bethany Meyer
  • 83 Lauryn Franklin
  • 89 Grace Dadzaa
Offensive Line
  • 29 Brandy Polinick
  • 57 Kylie Roebuck
  • 61 Nicki Kellogg
  • 62 Home Schreiber
  • 65 Jacqueline Cook
  • 73 Lauren Ferragonio
  • 87 Emalee Tunney
  • 90 Abigail Haynie
  • 97 Shantal Villalobos
Defensive Tackles
  • 24 Denise Taylor
  • 55 Teona Cash
  • 63 Paige Cox
  • 66 Kayla Bickerton
  • 70 Amanda Pearson
  • 71 Brandi Clyde
  • 75 Michelle Smiley
  • 77 Kaitlain Niedermeyer
  • 92 Valerie Blochberger
Defensive Ends
  • 44 Kellie Bell
  • 56 Tyra Grant
  • 98 Kimberly Zubovic
Linebackers
  • 20 Chelsea Zahn
  • 33 Katelyn Polenik
  • 45 Jennifer Bova
  • 54 Kayla Pierce
  • 58 Tia Montgomery
  • 79 Fawntema Willis
  • 80 Christina Garayua
Defensive Backs
  • 9 Rebecca Ehrgood
  • 12 Danasha Harris
  • 13 Angela Hayden
  • 15 Lakeitha Barrett
  • 18 Santana Ramsey
  • 25 Nikky Hartman
  • 30 Eveldora Wheeler
  • 31 Gennifer Washington
  • 37 Ashley Dicicco
  • 42 Richelle Nestler
Multiple Positions
  • 1 Courtney Smith (LB/RB)
  • 19 Maddison Miller (K/LB)
  • 23 Devon Peace (RB/S)
  • 27 Alyssa George (DE/QB)
  • 85 Jana C. Meister (RB/WR)
  • 92 Dionjaleah Jones (DT/OL)

Honors

Team

Players

AwardPlayer NameSeason
WFA National Conference MVPMarcelina Chavez [3] 2024

Coach

AwardPlayer NameSeason
WFA Coach of the YearTeresa Conn2024
  1. ↑ https://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12022/1205013-139.stm
  2. ↑ https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/ladies-night-w-bowl-championship-football-game-comes-to-pittsburgh/
  3. ↑ https://wfaprofootball.com/2024-mvps/
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