Powderpuff plays under the lights
Tuesday’s rainstorm didn’t stop the annual Homecoming Week Powderpuff tournament, full of wins, losses and a championship under the lights.
Powderpuff, a women’s flag football tournament, was hosted by the HURD. Twelve teams started out playing on the Legacy fields Tuesday morning, and the final four played in the finals at Maverik Stadium later that night.
Jessica Ulrich, a program coordinator for USUSA, worked with the HURD to try to make this year’s tournament better than it’s ever been. After contemplating rescheduling due to the rain, they decided their main focus was to help the teams enjoy the tournament rather than have a bigger crowd of fans.
“Powderpuff is a tradition that we want to continue to keep going. It is an opportunity for girls to be able to play flag football, create teamwork and an opportunity for them to encourage other teams and also have that competitive style with it,” she said.
Athletics & campus recreation executive director Tate Bennett said they changed the tournament this year to create a better experience for players.
“Instead of doing a double elimination bracket like we did last year, we did pool play to get more accurate seeding for the teams and then just a single elimination tournament,” he said. “It took a little bit longer, and a lot more organization went into it, but it’s been a lot of fun. A lot of the players have liked it better.”
Some teams signed up together, and other individuals joined already-established teams. Several teams met each other for the first time on the day of the tournament. Each team is promised four games — three round-robin pool games and at least one single elimination.
In years past, only the championship has been held in Maverik Stadium. Bennett’s goal was for more teams to have an opportunity to play under the lights by adding the semi-finals there as well.
“It’s an opportunity for women to be involved in the sport that’s not played by very many women at all. It’s a great opportunity for them to get out on the field to compete,” Bennett said. “You know, it’s just fun at the end of the day.”
Chloe Skinfill came to the championship as a spectator. She wasn’t able to join a league this year but was hopeful to participate in the future.
“I love football,” she said. “I’m in a flag football class. I play on an intramural team, and I loved Powderpuff in high school. I know how hard it is to do, especially if people don’t come and watch, so I decided to come and dragged my friend along with me.”
Skinfill always wanted to play football growing up, but there were few options for girls. She is grateful events like this are put on, providing opportunities for everyone to play.
“It shows that they actually care. They have things for us to do. There are people who want to see us play because we love to play. Even if we are women, we can still play sports,” Skinfill said.
Savannah Whiner, a member of the team Wasted Potential, lost in the championship. Her team surrounded her as they reminisced on the full day they had. Most of the team met the day of the tournament and have since become close friends.
“I wanted to join because we are competitive, and I knew we could bring our talent to the field,” Whiner said. “The experience is great. All the girls on the field are amazing, and so it was just so fun to be around a good group of people.”
Tournament champions The Real Housewives of USU went undefeated and until the semi-finals, shut out each team, not allowing a point on the board.
© CWild Photography Winning team of the PowderPuff tournament at Maverik Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 3.
Quarterback Peyton Teevens was named MVP as the team celebrated in the rain. Teevens was a clear standout to spectators as she threw frequent spirals down the field into the endzone. She dedicated the win to her dad, who played college football, and her late uncle, who taught her how to throw.
“Honestly, my homies over there were like, ‘Peyton, you have to play,’ and I was like, ‘I’m taking us to the chip,’” Teevens said. “I have the best receivers in the dang college, so I appreciate all of them.”
Teevens said the tournament brings inclusivity to Utah State. She says they proved it’s a successful event by the crowd watching, even in the rain.
“I think we’re showing that women know what we’re doing in the sport, and it was cool to see everybody out here supporting,” she said.
The team celebrated their win by dancing under the lights and sharing homemade trophy necklaces.
“It feels freaking awesome, especially in the Mav under the lights,” Teevens said. “Don’t tell the football team this, but I think that might be one of our best wins this season here.”