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International Women's Flag Football Association

Porter Wilson Award

             Porter Wilson, the inventor of the Sonic Boom Belts & Flags and founder of Flag A Tag the company which produces our equipment, passed away in September of 2000.  We found out about Flag A Tag belts and flags from one of our teams who competed in the early years of the Key West tournament after having experienced a dropped flag (it was Velcro) and upsetting the result of the play and the game. After that experience we knew we had to get a better quality of belt and flags. So, we called up this company, Flag A Tag, and spoke to a very sweet woman on the phone (Madeline) and gentle man (Porter) who sent us over a trial kit. We began to use the sonic boom style (that makes a "pop" sound when you pull the flag) which immediately created a difference in the quality of our game. Officials could then hear the "pop" sound to assist in their calls for the runs up the middle (which are hard to see) and the players were very happy with the amount of pressure needed to pull off these flags as they required a bit more force than other types of belts and flags. The durability of these belts & flags lasted for years throughout the rain and cold weather, so once a set of flags was purchased, they could be used for many years to come.

                 Porter was the very first sponsor of our Key West tournament, in the days when female participation was not socially acceptable and was considered "unlady -like" for women to play. Back in the early years, it was very difficult to find companies that were willing to sponsor or even be associated with such a sport for women and so, when Porter was willing to support us financially, it was a great relief. Flag A Tag continued to support our other tournaments, and when we opened the doors for girls and the international countries, Flag A Tag donated the belts & flags, further helping to expand the sport.  Sitting in Porter and Madeline's living room, in Arizona of '96, I listened to Porter as he explained how he came up with the idea to invent this type of equipment. It was back in 1957, when Porter was a Physical Education School Teacher, when the boys in his gym class were playing football and tearing the ball carrier's shirt to tackle the player. Porter used the idea of protecting and attacking one's "territory" by creating the flag and belt (worn by every player) which then became the most important element of the game ­ protecting / attacking the ball carrier's flag.  In the women's and girls game of flag football, this new element opened up the opportunity for females to excel in the new and exciting sport allowing for greater finesse, more dynamic plays, ball handling and running with the ball compared to greater brut force needed to play the tackle game. It opened the doors for girls to participate as parents were too reluctant to allow their girls to play tackle.

 

                 Since the development of this piece of equipment (though there have been many variations of the game flag football), technically, it was when these belts & flags were invented, that the sport came to be recognized as the game we know today. Porter Wilson invented our sport of flag football as we know it, and made history by doing so. We continue this history by playing, organizing and expanding the sport to one day professionalize the sport of flag football for women. It is thanks to Porter, not only for his invention, but also for his support of females players.  In tribute to Porter, and respect for the sport, the IWFFA chooses one person each year, since his passing from this earth to acknowledge and commend any individual who also has done much for girls and women's flag football. We call this award: 'the Porter Wilson Award'. Our Porter Wilson Award recipients receive their special plaque during our Kelly McGillis Classic. We continue this tradition and welcome nominations from any league, team, group or individual who knows of a well deserving person which they feel has done so much for girls and women's flag football. Please send any submissions to the office of the IWFFA by end of December of each year.

Porter Wilson Award Recipient

2000:  Rodney Johnson - Jacksonville, Florida U.S.A.  -  Lady Jaguars

Rodney Johnson, affectionately known as Mr. J. or Coach J to his layers and colleagues in the youth development circuit has a passion for girls flag football. A determined little nine - year old girl who wanted to play football, not become a cheerleader spawned this deep-rooted love. That was the beginning of the legacy Coach J. has left in Jacksonville, Florida.

Rodney continues to coach the girls, and brings them all across the U.S. and Canada to compete. He does all the fundraising, coaching, managing and offers the girls in Jacksonville, Florida flag football. Because he focuses on the girls, many over the years, have had to leave their age bracket and Rodney starts with a " fresh" group of young new athletes. He is inspiration to all coaches in his pursuit of the game for his players. We acknowledge Rodney Johnson, as the most deserving person to recieve such a prestigious award as our Porter Wilson Award. Congratulations Rodd, and keep the ball going!

2001:  Stephanie Vigneault ­ Quebec, Canada  -  Storm

Our second recipient, and first female, goes to an individual who has made a very strong impression on the IWFFA. Her involvement with flag football not only supports the area of Quebec, Canada, but has helped to expand and offer competition to our other teams around the world as the tournament in Quebec has opened competition in Canada to our players. The teams Stephanie supports, have participated in the more IWFFA tournaments in year 2000, than any other team, bringing Canadian competition to many states of the US and allowing the Americans and other international teams to experience their style of playing. This individual supports and promotes a girls division, planting the seed and ensuring the health of our sport. She runs and operates our first sanctioned IWFFA tournament in Canada, which last year, brought in for the first time an American team, indicating that the players from the US are opening the doors for travel to competition.  This woman, has put in the long hours, sacrificed her life for the sport and we want to recognize her in front of you all. Stephanie Vigneault of the Canadian Quebec Storm.

2002:  Mashonda Gilmore—Georgia, U.S.A  - Lyte & Tyte

When a man looks back on his life, after all's said and done, the true measure of that is how he lived his life, and the legacy he leaves for those around him. If you believe leaders are born, not made, then the recipe for the woman Mashonda Gilmore would become was started more than thirty years ago on June 11, 1971. So how does someone so young reach the level of wisdom necessary to rise above the ordinary? Instilled with an incredible work ethic, and nurtured in a loving family environment in Fayetteville, North Carolina, success was never beyond reach for Gilmore, who excelled in a wide array of interests. After moving to Atlanta in 1994, Gilmore soon found herself surrounded by others who shared her developing passion for football. An avid all around athlete, Gilmore was a standout long distance runner in high school, later turning her attention to flag football, but the genesis of what would evolve into the formation of the Lyte-n-Tyte Lady Warriors would come at high personal cost. Blessed with an extraordinary sense of compassion that belies her years, it was that gentle spirit that was shattered in 1996 with the sudden passing of her best friend, Valerie Morgan. On the wings of her faith in Christ, Gilmore found a way to channel her grief into positive motivation, and from there the groundwork was laid for what would become Lyte-n-Tyte. Like a woman on a mission, Gilmore, along with a group of friends formed the Lyte n Tyte Lady Warriors Flag Football team in the summer of 1997. And in no more a fitting tribute, Gilmore adopted her fallen friend's number 13, and took to the field with the rest of Lyte-n-Tyte, leading them to the championship in that first year of competition in the Georgia Women's Flag Football League. Always a player at heart, Gilmore nonetheless found herself retired to the sidelines by a severe knee injury, effectively ending her playing days. Discovering a affinity for managing, Gilmore' stewardship of the organization propelled them to subsequent league titles again in 2000, and 2001, and a fifth place finish in national competition for the United States Flag and Touch Football League in 1998. And in what became a season to remember, Gilmore' Lady Warriors capped the 2001 championship in the GWFFL by also capturing their first title in the 2002 Kelly McGillis International Flag Football Championships competitive division, leaving LytenTyte 15-0 for a remarkable 2001-2002 season. In keeping with her unselfish nature, and ultimately always trying to promote, and further advance the sport of football, in 2000, Gilmore facilitated an after school program in which the team adopted two metro Atlanta middle schools, Campbell, and Griffin, mentoring young girls in the game of flag football, and sportsmanship. Just getting started, there seems to be no end to the mark Lyte-n-Tyte will make as they march onward, guided by their passionate president. In 2002 many of LNT' starting players found themselves chosen to play for the Atlanta Leopards, the city' professional women's tackle football team, and a member of the National Women's Football League. During the year in which Gilmore added yet another title to her growing list, later invited to join the Leopards as their General Manager. When the GWFFL closed the 2002 season, and following the absence of the league's commissioner, Gilmore was yet again tapped to lend her polished business acumen to another group, and assumed the title of league commissioner. How do you a place a price on someone who inspires, encourages, and transcends wisdom far beyond her years. You can't. This was just the first half of her life, so one can only imagine what the next chapter has in store, and only hope to see that old faithful, familiar number 13 roaming the sidelines for many years to come. One only need look to see that Gilmore's well on her way to achieving the stuff that legends are made of. Therefore, the Lyte-n-Tyte Lady Warriors organization without hesitation hereby nominate our President Mashonda D. Gilmore for the International Women's Flag Football Association' Porter Wilson Award.  Over a dozen nominations were sent to the office of the IWFFA in 2002, from teams and fans who knew of women and men dedicated to the sport of Flag Football. Congratulations to Mashonda Gilmore for her dedication, work and good sportsmanship she has demonstrated for the sport.

2003:  Lena Johansson - Gothenburg, Sweden -  Angels

As the IWFFA was looking for a new city to offer the Sweden tournament in 2001, Lena took the opportunity to bring our sanctioned tournament to Gothenburg, where the tournament has offered the Scandinavians and some Americans competition ever since. Year 2004 will host their 4th annual August 28 - 29th.  The Angels had competed in all of the IWFFA / Scandinavian and Key West Kelly McGillis Classic tournaments since 2001 (exception Oslo 04). For all these competitions, Lena had been the manager and team representative as well as the Ambassador for Women's Flag Football in Sweden.  So, without the Official's Association support in Scandinavia (part of the "Big Squeeze" process), it is the women who must officiate their games. Lena (and Lone - Denmark) were the first Scandinavian women to "step up to the plate" to do this, becoming the first female flag football officials in Scandinavia.

2004:  Wendy Moreau - Rhode Island, USA

2005:  Birger "Bill" Klitgaard - Denmark

When we first introduced flag football in Scandinavia, and to expand the sport, we understood the need to offer quality tournaments to our athletes because sport is competitive and athletes would need a way to assess their own level of skill in order to become better athletes in the sport. These tournaments would also heighten athletes level of play as competition normally does this. It was tough enough finding athletes to form teams, but it was most difficult to find persons who understood the rules and who would be able to officiate these tournaments. Though American Tackle Football exists in Scandinavia, there was controversy using those Officials if they were available. Our only person qualified and dedicated to our cause was this one man from Denmark: Birger "Bill" Klitgaard.  We are so grateful to Bill for all these years he has been a part of our organization and truly made our Scandinavian Tournaments possible.  His great humor, experience, dedication and care for the Women's Sport brings onto the field one great Official and Human Being.

Wendy has been involved in the RI Flag Football League since the opening year back in 1995. "It's been a wonderful 10 years playing and keeping this league together, if you had the chance to meet the women in this league you would understand why. This league is unique in my eyes as there are so many different personalities and we all seem to build some type of friendship".

Because the IWFFA had commitments and time constraint in Scandinavia, during year 2004, Wendy accepted responsibility to promote and act as Tournament Director for the 2nd annual Kate Clinton Classic, in Provincetown, MA. Her time and effort spent in creating such a well organized event, made competition and experience for all the teams ....Fantastic! Her work gave the opportunity for women flag football players to have the chance to compete in such a highly and qualified event.  Wendy has been a leader for her league and strong supporter of the IWFFA and has united her league with IWFFA competitions as well as offered her own services to help produce one of it's tournaments. It is visionaries, and people with open minds who can make great things happen. We thank Wendy for all her work and commitment to her league, IWFFA and Women's Flag Football and are proud to recognize Wendy for all her efforts with our most prestigious Porter Wilson Award.

2006:  Rosaria “Rori” Baldari

Biography coming soon!