Swoosh!! Three points! Bobbie Briefman could barely contain her excitement May 9 as she watched the Women Playing Sports Association (WPSA) basketball league championships.
Apparently, she is not alone. The referees have told her that the skill level is awesome and, while it is not the WNBA, representatives from the Chicago Sky are at Horner Park watching as well. Briefman laughed as she recalled a time when a ref suggested they have two refs for each game during the regular season and not just the championship. She suggested, "Maybe you'll have to move a little faster to keep up."
Briefman, the founder and owner of the WPSA said, "I'm overwhelmed with them. All the talent and energy on the court is amazing." She added, "Not a lot of people know they're women's leagues out there." As a small not-for-profit most women find their way to membership through word of mouth and friends. Started with a softball league in 2007, WPSA quickly added volleyball and basketball when they were able to secure courts at Horner Park located at Montrose and California.
In addition to running the organization and each of the three leagues within it, Briefman is also manager of several teams in each sport. When asked what inspires this level of commitment, she simply says, "The excitement in their faces, especially in their eyes" (when they find out they are going to get to play) "It's a good feeling." Not formed as a league catering to queer women, the membership is about 75-percent lesbian. Briefman said, "All women interact, all get along, and everybody respects each other. We all have one thing in common and that's the passion for the sports."
However, not everyone is bound for the pros; just like March Madness, there are upsets, and underdogs find themselves face to face with top seeded teams. However, while this year's number one, C & C Allstars, was successful in defense of its title, the team realizes that strong competitors will be there next season.