Minnesota Vixen Hold 2017 Contract Signing
Minneapolis, MN. - The Minnesota Vixen, fresh off an undefeated regular season and two titles to their name, signed 76 women to the 2017 Minnesota Vixen Women’s Tackle Football Team Tuesday evening. The Vixen originated in 1999 and have seen tremendous growth in the last several years. With All-Star players Lisa Brown, Cynthia Bryant, Amanda Dvorak, Kiersten Hansen, Hanah Martin, Crystal Ninas, Sheena Reed, Jodi Rehlander, and Erin Tilford highlighting the roster, this is the largest roster in team history. “We are proud to have provided a platform for so many women to join the sport of tackle football here in Minnesota” said owner James Brown. The Vixen will compete for a championship in the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) in the 2017 season. The Vixen have the majority of the 2016 roster from their championship run returning for 2017, and are excited regarding the incoming talent to the team.###
Minnesota Vixen Join Women’s Football Alliance
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12/8/2017Minnesota Vixen Join Women’s Football Alliance
Minneapolis, MN. - The Minnesota Vixen are excited to announce they are joining the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) for the 2017 season. The Minnesota Vixen, established in 1999 are the longest continuously operating women’s American Football team in the nation. The Vixen finished the 2016 season undefeated and Eastern Conference Champions in their former league. They expect to be strong contenders for the 2017 WFA National Championship. The Vixen will be part of the WFA’s American Conference and compete in the Great Plains Division along with the Nebraska Stampede, Kansas City Titans, Minnesota Machine, St. Louis Slam and the newly added Madison Blaze. “We are excited for the move and are looking forward to competing against other strong Midwest teams” stated owner Laura Brown. “The move is a win-win-win scenario. It is great for the team, the WFA as well as the fans.” she continued. The Vixen will begin their season 19th season in early April. All home games will be played at Simley Athletic Field in Inver Grove Heights, MN.###
For prior years, please contact us at info@mnvixen.com Minnesota Vixen Host IWFL Playoff Game
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6/30/16Minnesota Vixen Host IWFL Playoff Game
St. Paul, Minnesota – The Minnesota Vixen will be taking on the New York Sharks in an Independent Women’s Football League (IWFL) post season playoff game. The Minnesota Vixen finished the 2016 regular season undefeated with an 8-0 record. The team only allowed two touchdowns during the regular season and outscored opponents 243 to 13. As a result, the Vixen secured the IWFL Midwest Conference Championship. The Minnesota Vixen are the longest continuously operating women’s tackle football team in the nation, followed by the New York Sharks. The Vixen last played the Sharks in December of 1999 in what was both team’s inaugural season. Three members of the current Vixen roster were among the few to play in that historic game which reintroduced women’s pro tackle football to the nation during the WPFL barnstorming tour of 1999. An unprecedented 18 seasons later, both teams are still in operation and chasing playoff berths. The Vixen are ready to face a tough opponent. “These two teams are a perfect example of what playing to leave a legacy means. Their love for the sport has fueled them to go beyond their own participation to set an example of integrity that future teams can follow,” said Laura Brown, Vixen owner. Kick off will be Saturday, July 9th at Simley High School, Inver Grove Heights, MN at 6 pm. The winner of the playoff game will advance to the Independent Women’s Football League (IWFL) Championship Game. For more information about the Minnesota Vixen, visit mnvixen.com.###
2016 Minnesota Vixen Women’s Football Schedule
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02/28/20162016 Minnesota Vixen Women’s Football Schedule
Minneapolis, MN. This should be a great season for Minnesota Vixen fans! Get ready as the Vixen look forward to giving Minnesota another season of women's tackle football! The Minnesota Vixen will have games this year against the Rocky Mountain Thunder Katz, Iowa Crush, Detroit Pride, and Madison Blaze. April 9th @ Rocky Mountain Thunder Katz April 16th vs. Iowa Crush April 23rd BYE April 30th @ Madison Blaze May 7th vs. Detroit Pride May 14th @ Iowa Crush May 21st BYE May 28th @ Detroit Pride June 4th vs. Madison Blaze June 11th vs. Rocky Mountain Thunder Katz Playoffs: June 25th Conference Tie Breaker Games July 9th Inter-Conference Championship Games July 22th July 24th Founder’s Bowl, All-Star Game and Championship Game For team information and season updates go to www.mnvixen.com, Like our Facebook Page at Minnesota Vixen Women's Football, and follow us on Twitter @MinnVixen.###
Minnesota Vixen Announce 2016 Team Roster
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01/29/2016Minnesota Vixen Announce 2016 Team Roster
Minneapolis, MN.- With All-Star players Cynthia Bryant, Emily Evans, Courtney Gibson-Thomas, Kristen McClellan, Jeanette Nelson and Erin Tilford headlining the roster, The Minnesota Vixen announced the 61 members of the 2016 Minnesota Women’s Tackle Football Team today. The complete Minnesota Vixen Team roster, which is comprised of women from throughout Minnesota, can be found online at mnvixen.com/roster. This is the largest number of players the Minnesota Vixen have rostered in over a decade. “ I think our roster numbers speak to the fact that not only are women getting more involved in sports overall but are wanting to participate in more traditionally male dominated sports such as football.” said Laura Brown, Team Owner. “We have a strong rookie class who are eager and are a great addition to our group of dedicated veteran players.” Bryant, who is an original member of the 1999 team, is looking forward to her 18th season and continuing to be recognized as one of the top nose tackles in women’s football. Bryant has been a league All-Star player 14 times, Vixen Defensive Player of the Year 12 times and Team MVP 4 times. Evans led the Vixen as quarterback to a 6-2 season last year and threw for over 1000 yards. She had 8 passing touch downs, and rushed for another 3 with an overall passer rating of 69.8 for the season. Second-year player, Gibson-Thomas was the only offensive line player to represent the team at the All-Star Game, while Jeannette Nelson was the only Vixen first-year player to make the All-Star Team. The Vixen gained All-Star player, McClellan from the Iowa Crush in the off-season. Tilford led the league with 7 interceptions, returning one 100 yards to seal the win over the Iowa Crush in the final game of the 2015 season. The 2016 Minnesota Vixen By the Numbers: • 61 Team members • 34 Rookies • 27 Average Age • 38 Minnesota Cities Represented Other notable players joining the Vixen this year with previous football experience are Kayce Godwin (Oklahoma Lightening), Lisa Brown (Wisconsin Warriors), Sheena Reed (Wisconsin Warriors) and the return of Lisa Schommer (Vixen 2013).###
Minnesota Vixen Announce Second Annual Females only Football Skills Clinic
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July 29, 2015Minnesota Vixen Second Annual Football Skills Clinic for Females
St. Paul, Minnesota - The Minnesota Vixen are excited to announce their Second Annual Football Clinic for females only which will be open to women ages 12 - 50. This unique one-day event will be held Saturday August 22nd, 2015 from 10 am to 2 pm at Simley High School, 2990 80th Street, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076. Women of all skill level are encouraged to come. No experience is necessary. Both Vixen coaches and players will be on hand to instruct the participants in numerous non-contact football specific drills including throwing, punting and catching as well as basic offensive line and defensive line skills. This initiative is part of an effort to reach out across the State of Minnesota and create opportunities for female athletes to experience the game of football from an on-the-field perspective and not just from the couch. The Vixen want to provide a unique experience that can only be obtained from participating in football drills as most female football clinics consist of chalk talk only. The Vixen clinic allows women to try their hand at all three phases of the game; offense, defense and special teams while directly working with Vixen coaches and Vixen players. The clinic will be held at Simley High School in Inver Grove Heights. Cost is $35.00 per person. Registration is available on-line at www.MNVixen.com. Mission- To instill skills, vision, and inspiration among female athletes and provide an opportunity to participate in women's tackle football.###
IWFL Names 5 MN Vixen Players and Head Coach to All- Star Team
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June 30, 2015IWFL Names 5 MN Vixen Players and Head Coach to All- Star Team
The Minnesota Vixen are happy to announce 5 players and Head Coach have been named to the 2015 IWFL All-Star Team. All five players, Cynthia Bryant, Emily Evans, Courtney Gibson-Thomas, Jeanie Nelson, Erin Tilford, were named to the Western Conference All Stars First Team. Cynthia ‘Red’ Bryant has been playing for the Vixen since 1999. Red is arguably the best defensive linemen in the league and is consistently one of the leaders in tackles and tackle for loss. Emily Evans led the team to a 6-2 season as quarterback and a team captain. Emily threw for over 1000 yards this season and is in the top 5 quarterbacks in the league. Courtney Gibson-Thomas is a key offensive line player. In only her second season, she earned a spot on the IWFL 2015 ALL-Star Team. Jeanie Nelson was a breakout rookie player this year. She was an impact player on both offense and defense. She led the team in rushing (421 yards, 5.4 avg), scoring (7 touchdowns), and was second in interceptions (4). Erin Tilford led the Vixen in tackles and reception yards with 332 yards averaging 27.6 yards per catch. More impressively, she also led the league in interceptions with 7 and returned one for 100 yards against the Iowa Crush in week 10. Coach Brandon Pelinka has led the team to back-to-back winning seasons in his two year tenure as Head Coach. In his first season as Head Coach, the Vixen had a 6-2 record with a bowl appearance in the inaugural Legacy Bowl. In 2015 under his leadership, the Vixen coaching staff was able to take a roster that was over 50% rookies and develop a winning season with a 6-2 record. The 2015 IWFL All Star Game will be held in Rock Hill, SC on Saturday July 25th as part of the 2015 IWFL Championship Weekend. Kickoff is at 10 a.m.###