STORM (storm) n. An atmospheric disturbance; A sudden overwhelming attack; A severe disturbance or upheaval; To move or rush; To overwhelm with sudden force.

- American Heritage Dictionary

The Women's Professional Football League
The Women's Professional Football League (WPFL) was founded in 1999 and after a successful barnstorming tour in the Fall of 1999, the WPFL opened the 2000 campaign with teams nationwide. The players are mothers, daughters, doctors, lawyers, teachers and athletes. Then and now, all have one thing in common — a love for the game of football. Their request is simple and quiet:

History of the Storm
by Annie Hadwen, 2000 Veteran Player

2002 New England Storm Team

In January 2000 Missi contacted the WPFL (Women's Professional Football League), to inquire about the possibility of bringing a team to New England. After long discussions and negotiations with the league, Missi was offered the opportunity to join the WPFL as the owner of the first women's professional football team in New England. Although it was a dream come true, it meant that Missi would have to put aside her fledgling law practice in order to devote all of her attention to the team. It was then that she realized she make her own dream of becoming a professional football player come true and she would make the dreams of 44 other women come true as well.

After months of hard work securing a venue, recruiting top athletes, running tryouts and a weekend long mini-camp, purchasing a liquor license, booking entertainment, organizing concessions, stocking merchandise, and trying to establish relationships with the city of Providence and the Mayor's office, the New England Storm was brewing.

While this was happening, the WPFL was keeping a watchful eye on the New England Storm. As a result of the Storm's rapid success, the League appointed Missi, Regional Director of Team Management for the WPFL. In short, not only was Missi responsible for the success of the New England Storm, but for the success of every other WPFL team, and their General Manager and Owners. However, even through this stressful time, Missi and the Storm were eagerly awaiting opening day.

At the conclusion of the 2000 season, the New England Storm went through many significant changes. After replacing the entire coaching staff with more experienced collegiate and NFL coaches, the Storm owner was ready to relocate the franchise to the Greater Boston area.

With exciting changes underway, Missi was blindsided by news that the League was in trouble. Without missing a beat Missi, and two other WPFL team owners scrambled to hold the WPFL together. She was not about to let her dream die with the WPFL. Missi, with longtime friends, Austin Rage owner, Dee Kennerner, and Houston Energy owner, Robin Howington, purchased the WPFL. Missi as a third owner of the League helped to keep the dream alive for the thousands of women involved in the Women's Professional Football League. With the future of the WPFL finally stable, Missi could redirect her attention to her team and the 2001 season.

In 2001 the Storm found its new home at Hormel Stadium, in Medford, MA. In their second season the Storm provided great football and demonstrated superb athleticism to the fans of New England and Greater Boston. Although it was a tough second season, the Professional players of the New England Storm took the changes in stride and played with a tremendous amount of heart.

The highlight of the 2001 season came on October 9 when the New England Storm was honored in a ceremony at the New England Sports Museum located in the Fleet Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The history of the Storm was proudly displayed in a glass case alongside memorabilia from Boston Breakers Womenıs Professional Soccer Team. This event marked a great day in Storm history and was also a great day for women's sports in New England.

In 2002 there was more excitement for the Storm. The team found itself embraced by the New England Sports community. The Boston Red Sox honored the team by inviting them to throw the first pitch before a game at Fenway Park. And, just when the franchise thought things couldn't get better, the New England Patriots named the Storm their sister team in the WPFL.

Now Entering its fourth season the Storm is well established in the New England Sports community, has a loyal fan base, and some exciting new additions to the coaching and management staff. Erich Kennedy will assist in heading Storm administration as the new Team Manager. Aside from assisting in the day-to-day team operations, Erich and interns from Springfield College will be the right hand people for owner, Missi Korpacz. As the first order of business the new administration added some new faces to the coaching staff. Dennis Davis has been hired as the team's head coach. Dennis is a native of Rhode Island, the owners home state and coached football at her high school Alma Matta. Assisting Coach Davis are Defensive Coordinator, Ray Dame and Offensive Skills Coach Hollis Gates and seasoned line coaches Al Lockhart and Mike Sircello. These coaches bring with them their passion for football, many years of experience, and the desire to create a championship team.

The coaches will be aided in this endeavor by several alumni from the Storm's 2000 National Conference Championship team. Additionally, several alums from the 2001 team will also be added to the roster. Together these fine athletes will make up the core of the most experienced team the Storm has ever put on the field. These women have returned with only one goal in mindŠto elevate the Storm back to its rightful place at the top of the WPFL.

There is a Storm brewing...