Pittsburgh Passion Explained

Pixels:200px
Founded:2002
League:NWFA (2003-2007)
IWFL (2008-2010)
WFA (2011-2013)
IWFL (2014-2015)
WFA (2016-present)
History:Pittsburgh Passion (2003-present)
Stadium:West Allegheny High School
Imperial, Pennsylvania
City:Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Colors:Black & Gold, White
Coach:Teresa Conn
Championships:3 (2007 NWFA) (2014, 2015 IWFL)
Titles:2 (2007 NWFA, 2008 IWFL, 2011 WFA)

The Pittsburgh Passion is a women's American football team based in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. The franchise was formed in March 2002 and is currently owned by Teresa Conn, Anthony Misitano, and the family of Franco Harris. The team is a part of the Women's Football Alliance, with home games played at West Allegheny High School in Imperial, Pennsylvania.

History

In 2003, the Passion played its home games at Belle Vernon Area High School. The team finished its inaugural season with a 2–6 record. The average attendance at each of their four home games that season was between 2,500 and 3,000 fans.

In 2004 season, the Passion changed its home stadium to Ambridge High School's Moe Rubenstein Stadium. The team improved its regular season record to 6–2, just missing the playoffs as a Northern Conference wildcard team. The Passion led the league in attendance for 2004 with crowds approaching 10 fans per game.

In 2005, the Passion carried an active roster of 55 players along with a practice squad.

Starting in 2006, the Passion have played its home games at George K. Cupples Stadium (formerly "South Stadium") in the South Side of Pittsburgh.

In 2007, the Passion recorded an undefeated regular season going 8–0. After winning all three of their home playoff games, the team improved to 11-0 after victories over Erie, the West Michigan Mayhem, and Cleveland. The team then won the National Championship Game on July 21, 2007, against the Columbus Comets by a score of 32–0.

In 2008, the Passion recorded their second consecutive perfect regular season, finishing 8–0, winning the North Atlantic Division title, and defeating the Orlando Mayhem in the Eastern Conference Semifinal. However, they lost the Eastern Conference Championship to the Chicago Force by a score of 8–7, ending their 23-game winning streak that dated back to 2006.

In 2009, the Passion finished 7–1, good for the Eastern Conference wild card spot. However, they lost the Eastern Conference Semifinal to eventual conference champion D.C. Divas 27–17.

In 2010, the Passion finished 4-4, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

For 2011, the Passion joined the Women's Football Alliance. They finished their inaugural regular season with a perfect 8-0 and won the Mid-Atlantic Division title before losing to the Chicago Force in the National Conference quarterfinal game.

In 2014 and 2015 they won the IWFL Championship in Rock Hill, SC

May 21, 2016 The Passion won the NFC Central North Division with this victory and it is their 6th Division title in team history.

Notable achievements

Season-By-Season

|-| colspan="6" align="center" | Pittsburgh Passion (NWFA)|-|2003 || 2 || 6 || 0 || 4th Mid-Atlantic Division || --|-|2004 || 6 || 2 || 0 || 2nd North Mid-Atlantic || --|-|2005 || 5 || 3 || 0 || 9th North Division || --|-|2006 || 5 || 3 || 0 || 3rd North Central || --|-|2007 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st North Central || Won Northern Conference Quarterfinal (Erie)
Won Northern Conference Semifinal (West Michigan)
Won Northern Conference Championship (Cleveland)
Won NWFA Championship (Columbus)|-| colspan="6" align="center" | Pittsburgh Passion (IWFL)|-|2008 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st East North Atlantic || Won Eastern Conference Semifinal (Orlando)
Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Chicago)|-|2009 || 7 || 1 || 0 || 2nd East Mid Atlantic || Lost Eastern Conference Semifinal (D.C.)|-|2010 || 4 || 4 || 0 || 3rd East Northeast || --|-| colspan="6" align="center" | Pittsburgh Passion (WFA)|-|2011 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 1st National Mid-Atlantic || Lost National Conference Quarterfinal (Chicago)|-|2012 || 7 || 1 || 0 || 2nd National Division 3 || Won National Conference First Round (Detroit)
Lost National Conference Quarterfinal (D.C.)|-!Totals || 66 || 24 || 0|colspan="2"| (including playoffs)

* = current standing

2009

Season Schedule

DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
April 18Detroit DemolitionHomeWon 29-6
April 25Baltimore NighthawksHomeWon 49-0
May 2D.C. DivasAwayLost 7-27
May 16New York NemesisHomeWon 41-0
May 23Detroit DemolitionAwayWon 34-12
May 30Connecticut CrushersHomeWon 76-0
June 6Philadelphia FirebirdsAwayWon 53-0
June 13New York SharksAwayWon 34-33
June 27D.C. Divas (Eastern Conference Semifinal)AwayLost 17-27

2010

Season Schedule

DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
April 3Erie IllusionAwayWon 32-0
April 17Philadelphia FirebirdsHomeWon 49-0
April 24Boston MilitiaAwayLost 0-27
May 1Erie IllusionHomeWon 40-2
May 8New York SharksAwayLost 8-12
May 15Baltimore NighthawksHomeWon 34-6
May 22Chicago ForceAwayLost 0-7
May 29New York SharksHomeLost 10-27

2011

Season Schedule

DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
April 2Pittsburgh ForceAwayWon 30-0
April 9Erie IllusionAwayWon 56-14
April 16Cleveland FusionAwayWon 26-8
April 30Columbus CometsHomeWon 17-0
May 14Pittsburgh ForceHomeWon 45-0
May 21Columbus CometsAwayWon 7-6
June 11Cleveland FusionHomeWon 42-0
June 18Erie IllusionHomeWon 47-7
June 25Chicago Force (National Conference Quarterfinal)AwayLost 31-41

2012

Season Schedule

DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
April 14D.C. DivasAwayWon 35-34
April 28Columbus CometsAwayWon 37-14
May 5Cleveland FusionHomeWon 49-0
May 12Toledo ReignHomeWon 71-14
May 19Pittsburgh ForceAwayWon 66-0
June 2D.C. DivasHomeLoss 43-28
June 9Columbus CometsHomeWin 22-0
June 16Philadelphia FirebirdsAwayWin 50-0
June 23Detroit Dark Angels (1st round)HomeWin 34-0
Date Opponent Location Score Result
April 2 Toledo ReignToledo, OH28-0WIN
April 9 Columbus CometsColumbus, OH48-3WIN
April 23 Cleveland FusionSlippery Rock, PA43-0WIN
April 30 Detroit Dark AngelsDetroit, MI55-6WIN
May 7 Keystone AssaultCalifornia, PA56-6WIN
May 14 Boston RenegadesPittsburgh, PA32-51LOSS
May 21 Detroit Dark AngelsPittsburgh, PA63-8Win
June 4 Chicago ForceChicago, IL33-48LOSS
June 11 Atlanta PhoenixImperial, PA35-24WIN
June 25 D.C. DivasLandover, MD29-41LOSS
Passion Defeat Atlanta 35-24 In 1st Round Of Playoffs

10 Pittsburgh Passion Players Named To WFA All American Teams

External links