Breaking into an open field
By Stu Durando
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
09/22/2009

The focus intensified when the assistant coach was left alone to run drills for a group of incoming freshmen at Affton High.

But before anyone could question her presence, Kozlen broke the team into groups and began tapping into seven years of experience as a player who followed family tradition by becoming a linebacker. Then a football coach.

“A few of the players were like, ‘Yeah, it’s kind of weird,’” said lineman Justin Nixon. “But after that day, everyone thought she was a good coach.”

Kozlen, 30, has long been immersed in football as a player for the St. Louis Slam and a coach at the middle-school level. This season she broke a barrier few females have approached, coaching linebackers and offensive linemen for the Affton freshman team.

She expected to catch some flak along the way, but thus far the closest thing to an insult came from a referee who unwittingly asked if she was a trainer.

“I was completely expecting something (negative), whether from fans, parents or the varsity guys,” she said. “But I haven’t heard anything at all. Mostly it’s been positive stuff, even from the players. The coaches have all accepted me.”

The move was unusual at a time when it remains uncommon for women to coach boys high school sports. The Missouri Football Coaches Association does not have any female members, according to president Brent Eckley, who said he was unaware of any women previously coaching football in Missouri.

But if it was a controversial move, Affton varsity coach Dan Oliver, who hired Kozlen, hasn’t heard about it.

“She has a pretty good knowledge of the game and knows how to coach and it seemed like a good fit,” he said. “The gender issue wasn’t any part of the equation. We needed a good coach to take care of the kids and teach them the right things.”

An offer to join the Affton staff came out of the blue during the summer while Kozlen was playing her seventh season for the Slam of the Women’s Football Alliance.

A position opened late, and she was recommended by an Affton assistant. Within a week she had been hired.

Kozlen also is in her third year working with a middle-school team in the Hazelwood area. She previously coached AAU boys basketball in the city.

After a short time at Affton, she said she can envision moving up the ladder if opportunities become available. Oliver said he fills openings on the varsity based on seniority within the program.

“She’s got two or three in front of her,” he said. “But if it came down to it and she was the person there and available and willing to do it, I don’t think I’d have any qualms asking her to come up.”

Kozlen grew up in a family where the men typically became linebackers at the high school or college level. After playing soccer, softball and basketball at Bishop DuBourg and Fox and soccer at Central Missouri State, she was at a park one day when tryouts were being held for the Slam.

She has been a key member of the team ever since. In August she was named MVP of the league championship game. During the playoffs, she invited Affton players and coaches to attend a game.

“When I came back they were saying, ‘Coach, that was cool. You were pretty good,’ ” she said. “So, it was nice for them to see me play so they know I can put my pads on too and run right there with them.”

When Kozlen isn’t teaching at Monroe Elementary in St. Louis, she is frequently focused on football. She races to practice at Affton after teaching and then heads to Hazelwood for practice.

Her weeks typically include coaching an Affton game on Thursday, scouting a varsity game on Friday and coaching a Hazelwood game on Saturday. She also is an assistant for the Affton girls basketball team in the winter.

Nixon and teammate Scott Schroer said there were some minor internal rumblings when Kozlen started, but they are convinced of her ability. Especially Schroer, who didn’t know what to think when he received early notice of Kozlen’s hiring from Oliver. Now he credits the new coach with his early progress this season.

“I was shocked because I’ve never had a woman coach,” Schroer said. “But she knows a lot. She’s the most knowledgeable linebacker coach I’ve ever talked to. With her, the little things add up.”

And that’s the kind of feedback that makes Kozlen think that she might have a future coaching football.

“Technically it’s a man’s sport that most females don’t play,” she said. “I would love to move up someday. But right now it’s baby steps.”

By annie Monday September 21, 2009
A Football League of Their Own: The St. Louis SLAM

My Dad grew up playing football and used to coach high school football. He’s said, on many different occasions, had I been a boy, I would have played football. It’s tough, it’s aggressive and it’s a high impact, no nonsense adrenaline rush. Little did he know, St. Louis has their own women’s football team, the St. Louis SLAM. A member of the American League in the WFA (Women’s Football Alliance), the undefeated St. Louis SLAM won the 2009 Women’s Football Alliance National Championship on August 15 by defeating the West Michigan Mayhem at the Pan American Stadium in New Orleans.

St. Louis SLAM was founded in 2003 when they joined the National Women’s Football Association. After the NWFA disbanded the team began playing with the the WFA; their first WFA season was in 2009. The WFA boasts 36 teams that are spread across the country. From the Baltimore Burn to the Minnesota Machine to the Arizona Assassins, women’s professional tackle football is catching on. Here’s some background on the SLAM and where you can see them next:

Up until a few months ago, I had no idea the SLAM existed. According to their website, their season is played in the spring/summer with their home games played at CBC’s field. However, you still have a chance to see the St. Louis SLAM in action this fall. This Sunday, September 27, the SLAM will be playing at half time during the St. Louis Rams game. Tickets are $50 a piece and are in sections 450-404. This is a fundraiser for our National Champion team, and they might just prove to be more dynamic than our men’s tackle football team!

I read about the SLAM playing at the Rams half time and immediately went to buy tickets, only to realize I’d be out of town for the game. However, I spent some time on the SLAM’s website and read player bios, the team’s history and the “Wanna Play?” section. In last year’s regular, undefeated season the SLAM scored 48 points per game on average. Their opponents did not fair so well, with their points allowed average only a mere 8. The Kansas City Storm and Missouri Phoenix each posted no points against the St. Louis SLAM in the 2009 season.

The SLAM is a professional team with an owner, general manager, head coach and team physician. The players are women from the St. Louis metro area who all seem to have one thing in common: a love for playing the game. From nurses who love scrap booking to physical therapists who like acting, the SLAM roster is diverse. Many rookies are listed which is a sign of the rising popularity the sport, and that there are women out there who can give and take hits.

As a female who has had a love for football ever since my grandfather explained the stop and go action, I found myself thinking about try outs. As a softball player, I never shied away from a collision at the plate and the slide tackle was a favorite of mine in soccer. I was pleased to see on SLAM’s website that try outs for the 2010 SLAM will be held on October 4 from 2:30 to 5:00 with the location to be announced soon (check back with their website for location). But as I looked through pictures from the championship game last month and players bios, I thought twice about trying out. This is not powder puff, juniors verses seniors football. Anyone who thinks women are not capable of the stiff arm should watch this video and at 1:42 watch a SLAM running back bury a would be tackler. I had previously thought if I were to play, I’d fancy myself a linebacker as I am relatively swift and wouldn’t have to deal with being hit, as I’d be the player to deliver them. However, if I have to try out against the players of the SLAM, I think I’d be in trouble. I’ll do my best to be at the 2010 home opener, however I’ll be in the stands! Go SLAM!

(Photos courtesy of St. Louis SLAM)

Annie is the Sports and Fitness Editor for Girls Guide. She writes about all kinds of sports related topics and then really goes out and plays sports almost every evening. You can contact Annie by emailing her at annie [at] girlsguidetothegalaxy [dot] com, and we are still trying to talk her into getting a Twitter account – no success yet.

The St. Louis SLAM will play at halftime of the Rams vs Green Bay game on September 27th. Game time is Noon. The seats are located in sections 450-404 (north endzone). They range from rows FF - SS. The tickets are $50 each.

The web site is now available if you would like to purchase your Rams tickets online for a fundraiser for the St. Louis SLAM.

http://www.stlouisrams.com/stlslam/