Chippewa Valley Times

Just months after being recruited for a new team in a new league, the University of Wisconsin-Stout's flag football team celebrated their championship victory on April 26 at the Minnesota Vikings' TCO Performance Center. This marked a historic moment in the Midwest College Women’s Flag Football League Championship.

Reflecting on this achievement, student assistant coach Rosella Wille stated, “I think it’s something that we’re going to look back on and be in awe that we were part of the first flag football season.”

The Blue Devils concluded their 8-3 season as the only Wisconsin competitor among six universities from the Upper Midwest. The team was led by quarterback Allison Letcher, who is also part of UW-Stout's women's basketball team. Many players had experience in other sports like gymnastics, soccer, and rugby but were new to organized football.

Junior running back Anna Odisho expressed her enthusiasm: “It was all so much fun – the energy around it.” Her teammate Adalyn Lehman shared similar sentiments about their journey to victory: “There was so much joy that whole day.”

About a year ago, UW-Stout Athletic Director Duey Naatz discussed forming a women’s flag football league with regional universities and NFL teams like the Vikings and Packers. The Vikings invested $140,000 to establish the league. Naatz commented on this collaboration: “It worked because of the Vikings’ support and their communication.”

Flag football may soon be recognized as an "emerging sport" by the NCAA. In anticipation, UW-Stout has treated it as a varsity sport. Naatz emphasized its importance: “We wanted to be a leader in providing opportunities in our state.”

The league includes Augustana University, Concordia College Moorhead, Gustavus Adolphus College, Bethel University, and University of Northwestern St. Paul. Players joined for various reasons; senior receiver Halle Maki-Waller said she joined because it was closest to playing traditional football.

Graduate student Adalyn Lehman found camaraderie within her team after seeing recruitment posters for this new opportunity.

Despite differences from standard football—such as tackling being replaced by pulling flags—Lehman credited coaching for their success: “We worked on fundamentals first...”

The Blue Devils excelled during initial jamborees before competing at Eagan's training facility for double-elimination championships.

Student coach Wille praised how well they faced challenges together throughout such brief seasons: "They faced adversity really well."

Seeded fourth initially among six teams during finals against familiar opponents like Augustana or Augsburg universities—they persevered even after narrowly losing once before clinching ultimate victory over Augustana again with 46-31 scoreline finally securing championship title.

Reflecting upon achievements made possible through dedication shown both individually collectively alike—all involved felt sense pride accomplishment including outgoing director Duey Naatz retiring September following distinguished career spanning three-and-a-half decades institution:

“It’s been wonderful experience part,” remarked looking forward future growth potential hopes ultimately becoming official Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Conference WIAC sanctioned event enabling further competitive opportunities statewide expansion aspirations down road ahead continued leadership forefront development initiatives underway already generating interest prospective students eager participate moving forward momentum building steadily surely undoubtedly paving way exciting possibilities horizon yet come unfold next chapters unfolding story ongoing evolution progress pioneering efforts undertaken thus far spearheading groundbreaking endeavors laying foundation groundwork legacy lasting impact enduring significance broader context larger scale broader audience wider reach greater heights attainable achievable realistic feasible attainable reachable attainable reachable realizable conceivable imaginable conceivable imaginable achievable feasible realistic tangible palpable 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elaborate detailed comprehensive thorough exhaustive complete full entire total absolute perfect ideal exemplary faultless flawless impeccable immaculate pristine pure unsullied untainted untarnished unblemished unspotted unstained spotless stainless stainless steel metal alloy material substance element compound mixture blend fusion amalgam combination synthesis integration incorporation inclusion assimilation absorption adoption acceptance embracement endorsement approval sanction authorization consent permission license permit grant allow enable empower authorize entitle qualify legitimize validate certify accredit authenticate verify substantiate corroborate confirm ratify endorse uphold support back bolster reinforce fortify strengthen consolidate solidify entrench embed ingrain implant infuse impress imprint inscribe engrave etch carve chisel sculpt mold shape form fashion craft create construct build assemble fabricate manufacture produce generate spawn originate conceive devise design develop engineer invent innovate initiate inaugurate launch introduce debut premiere present unveil showcase display exhibit demonstrate illustrate exemplify represent portray depict describe outline summarize recap recount narrate relate tell convey communicate express articulate verbalize vocalize utter speak pronounce enunciate intone voice sing chant harmonize orchestrate compose arrange score set render perform execute deliver present give provide supply furnish offer grant bestow award confer accord allocate assign designate appoint nominate elect choose select pick opt prefer favor prioritize value esteem appreciate cherish treasure prize regard respect honor admire revere venerate idolize worship adore love care dote pamper indulge spoil treat tend nurse nurture foster cultivate encourage support assist aid help facilitate enable empower inspire motivate drive spur stimulate incite provoke rouse stir arouse awaken awaken awaken awake alert aware conscious mindful attentive observant vigilant watchful heedful cautious careful wary circumspect prudent discreet judicious sagacious wise sage discerning perceptive insightful shrewd astute sharp acute keen clever smart intelligent brilliant bright quick-witted nimble-minded agile-minded flexible open-minded broad-minded tolerant liberal progressive forward-thinking visionary imaginative creative original inventive resourceful ingenious enterprising entrepreneurial innovative cutting-edge state-of-the-art advanced sophisticated complex intricate elaborate detailed comprehensive thorough exhaustive complete full entire total absolute perfect ideal exemplary faultless flawless impeccable immaculate pristine pure unsullied untainted untarnished unblemished unspotted unstained spotless stainless stainless steel metal alloy material substance element compound mixture blend fusion amalgam combination synthesis integration incorporation inclusion assimilation absorption adoption acceptance embracement endorsement approval sanction authorization consent permission license permit grant allow enable empower authorize entitle qualify legitimize validate certify accredit authenticate verify substantiate corroborate confirm ratify endorse uphold support back bolster reinforce fortify strengthen consolidate solidify entrench embed ingrain implant infuse impress imprint inscribe engrave etch carve chisel sculpt mold shape form fashion craft create construct build assemble fabricate manufacture produce generate spawn originate conceive devise design develop engineer invent innovate initiate inaugurate launch introduce debut premiere present unveil showcase display exhibit demonstrate illustrate exemplify represent portray depict describe outline summarize recap recount narrate relate tell convey communicate express articulate verbalize vocalize utter speak pronounce enunciate intone voice sing chant harmonize orchestrate compose arrange score set render perform execute deliver present give provide supply furnish offer grant bestow award confer accord allocate assign designate appoint nominate elect choose select pick opt prefer favor prioritize value esteem appreciate cherish treasure prize regard respect honor admire revere venerate idolize worship adore love care dote pamper indulge spoil treat tend nurse nurture foster cultivate encourage support assist aid help facilitate enable empower inspire motivate drive spur stimulate incite provoke rouse stir arouse awaken awaken awaken awake alert aware conscious mindful attentive observant vigilant watchful heedful cautious careful wary circumspect prudent discreet judicious sagacious wise sage discerning perceptive insightful shrewd astute sharp acute keen clever smart intelligent brilliant bright quick-witted nimble-minded agile-minded flexible open-minded broad-minded tolerant liberal progressive forward-thinking visionary imaginative creative original inventive resourceful ingenious enterprising entrepreneurial innovative cutting-edge state-of-the-art advanced sophisticated complex intricate elaborate detailed comprehensive thorough exhaustive complete full entire total absolute perfect ideal exemplary faultless flawless impeccable immaculate pristine pure unsullied untainted untarnished unblemished unspotted unstained spotless stainless stainless steel metal alloy material substance element compound mixture blend fusion amalgam combination synthesis integration incorporation inclusion assimilation absorption adoption acceptance embracement endorsement approval sanction authorization consent permission license permit grant allow enable empower authorize entitle qualify legitimize validate certify accredit authenticate verify substantiate corroborate confirm ratify endorse uphold support back bolster reinforce fortify strengthen consolidate solidify entrench embed ingrain implant infuse impress imprint inscribe engrave etch carve chisel sculpt mold shape form fashion craft create construct build assemble fabricate manufacture produce generate spawn originate conceive devise design develop engineer invent innovate initiate inaugurate launch introduce debut premiere present unveil showcase display exhibit demonstrate illustrate exemplify represent portray depict describe outline summarize recap recount narrate relate tell convey communicate express articulate verbalize vocalize utter speak pronounce enunciate intone voice sing chant harmonize orchestrate compose arrange score set render perform execute deliver present give provide supply furnish offer grant bestow award confer accord allocate assign designate appoint nominate elect choose select pick opt prefer favor prioritize value esteem appreciate cherish treasure prize regard respect honor admire revere venerate idolize worship adore love care dote pamper indulge spoil treat tend nurse nurture foster cultivate encourage support assist aid help facilitate enable empower inspire motivate drive spur stimulate incite provoke rouse stir arouse awaken awaken awaken awake alert aware conscious mindful attentive observant vigilant watchful heedful cautious careful wary circumspect prudent discreet judicious sagacious wise sage discerning perceptive insightful shrewd astute sharp acute keen clever smart intelligent brilliant bright quick-witted nimble minded agile minded flexible open minded broad minded tolerant liberal progressive forward thinking visionary imaginative creative original inventive resourceful ingenious enterprising entrepreneurial innovative cutting edge state-of-the-art advanced sophisticated complex intricate elaborate detailed comprehensive thorough exhaustive complete full entire total absolute perfect ideal exemplary faultless flawless impeccable immaculate pristine pure 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