Carley Pesente has left her mark on womenÕs football, on the field and off. As a player, she has worn the uniform of eight different teams in all three of the sports established leagues, the NWFA, the IWFL and the WPFL.
She has not only played, but played well. Working primarily at linebacker, but also at fullback and tight end, the 43-year-old Pesente has earned all league honors on seven different occasions. Whether she is barreling up the middle with a football under her arm or, more likely, destroying the ambition of opposing ball carriers, Pesente is an athlete with presence.
Growing up in Minnesota, Pesente was primarily an ice hockey player; she played the sport for over 25 years, including a tour of duty in a womenÕs professional league in Switzerland. She stopped only when she couldnÕt find a team to play for that was convenient to her present home in Connecticut.
When the opportunity arose to play football with the WPFLÕs Minnesota Vixen in 1997, it was a logical step for a woman who enjoys facing new challenges.
ÒI was looking for a team sport to stay involved in,Ó Pesente says, Òand when I heard there was a football league I said ÔWow, IÕd like to give that a shot.ÕÓ
Like most women who have taken up tackle football in recent years, Pesente found the experience quite different from her other athletic endeavors, which have included softball and a career as a professional prizefighter. ÒI think in football you become closer with your teammates,Ó she says Òand youÕre willing to do anything for your teammates. ItÕs not that way in every sport. I donÕt know why you bond so close but they become your best friends.Ó
PesenteÕs football career has taken her from the Vixen, to the WPFLÕs Syracuse Sting, to the IWFLÕs New York Gems and New York Sharks, to the NWFAÕs Mass Mutiny and Connecticut Crush, to the IWFLÕs Connecticut Lightning and the WPFLÕs New York Dazzles, for whom she expects to suit up again this fall. At times she has played in back-to-back seasons for different teams in different franchises that compete in separate spring and fall seasons.
She has played for franchises that have contended for championships (she has played in WPFL and NWFA title games) and for others that have struggled on the field and financially.
In PessenteÕs view, a franchiseÕs success hinges on its coaching staff. ÒIf you have a coaching staff that is there for more than a couple years then youÕre going to be successful,Ó she says. ÒThe teams that have not been successful that IÕve been with have changed coaches almost like a revolving door. ThereÕs no continuity within the coaching staff. Everything keeps changing and youÕve got to learn a new system every year; itÕs not good for the game and itÕs not good for you.Ó
For some time, Pesente has expressed the view that for womenÕs football to gain acceptance as a mainstream sport, the top teams need to get together in one league. Currently there are 74 teams in the three existing leagues and she feels thatÕs just too many.
ÒIn Connecticut right now we have two teams,Ó she says, plus thereÕs another one coming into the WPFL. There is going to be three teams (in Connecticut) at the beginning of next season, where do you compete from all those players?
ÒIÕve been advocating for the past four years that there should be only one league. If the Connecticut Crush is the team that is going to represent Connecticut, then all the other teams in Connecticut should disappear. ThatÕs what you need, you need the teams that are the strongest to survive. In one league.Ó
As might be expected, PesenteÕs views have left her open to criticism. ÒI always get rebuffed from owners and commissioners,Ó she says. ÒThey tell me I need to be quiet.Ó
Pesente isnÕt sure how much longer sheÕll continue to play, but is sure sheÕll have some fond memories to take with her when she steps off the field for the last time, memories of her relationships with her teammates. In years past, those relationships have strengthened her through personal challenges and loss.
ÒIn 2002 when my partner died my team was there for me,Ó she says. It was a horrible period of time. My partner died in the beginning of May, my sister died at the end of May and if my teammates hadnÕt been there, if the sport wasnÕt there, if football wasnÕt there, I probably would have gone crazy or done something because it was such a low point in my life. My teammates were there for me and helping me to overcome everything.Ó