2022-2023 News
NA, Steelers kick off 2023 Girls Flag Football season
The Steelers season is still months away, but there was plenty of football activity at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
As a part of the Steelers continued commitment to growing girls flag football, the team hosted a kickoff event for the Girls Flag Football League in Pittsburgh that they support, with an afternoon filled with excitement that featured tight end Connor Heyward taking part. This year there are 17 schools participating, up from six in 2022, with some of the schools having multiple teams because of the popularity.
The highlight was a unique unveiling of each team’s uniforms. The uniforms were hung in the Steelers locker room at Acrisure Stadium, similar to the way Steelers players jerseys are hung on game day, with special lighting making it a one-of-a-kind experience for the players.
“It’s pretty awesome,” said Mike Marchinsky, the Steelers senior manager of marketing events. “Some of the girls play sports, some don’t. But when they walk into their locker rooms at their high school, their uniforms aren’t hanging like this for the first time. We wanted to provide that experience. It’s like what our equipment guys do on game day with the jerseys, hanging them in the lockers on game day when the players get there, or having them on their shoulder pads. We had Nike cleats and gloves in the locker. It’s cool to see that experience for the girls for the first time.”
North Allegheny kicked off the 2023 Girls High School Flag Football season at Acrisure Stadium Sunday, April 2, 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
The uniforms were provided by Nike as part of a partnership with the NFL and the teams, with a grant given to all 50 states in an effort to grow girls flag football. Schools were able to go to Nike’s website and design their own uniforms for free for their teams.
“It’s all a part of Nike working with the NFL and NFL Flag to help make girls flag football a sanctioned sport in all 50 states,” said Marchinsky.
After changing into their uniforms the players had an opportunity to have a team photo taken in front of the Steelers logo by the player entrance tunnel.
Then it was time to take the field. They held short practices with officials on hand to go over all of the rules and then it was time for scrimmages.
It all wrapped up with a tour of the Steelers Hall of Honor Museum.
“Last year we were able to play the championship tournament at Acrisure Stadium. This year we are unable to host it because of scheduling conflicts,” said Marchinsky. “I wanted to make sure the girls had an experience and some excitement from playing the sport, especially the schools that didn’t participate last year. We wanted to bring the teams in to experience Acrisure Stadium and have some fun.
“It was a really cool day for the girls, especially the teams that didn’t participate last year. They get a feel that this is a Steelers offered program.
“We are so excited to be able to offer this. I am in the business of providing the emotion. I want people to be able to get a sense of encouragement about doing things. It’s a different level of excitement when you can do it in the Steelers locker room, at Acrisure Stadium. Everybody in the organization has been awesome to work with on this. Everybody is willing to go above and beyond to make sure the girls have a special experience.”
For more information on Girls Flag Football, please visit our FLAG FOOTBALL SECTION.
(Photos, press release courtesy Pittsburgh Steelers).
Bob Bozzuto Named PSADA State Athletic Director of the Year
Robert Bozzuto, Athletic Director at North Allegheny School District, has been named as the recipient of the 2023 Pennsylvania State Athletic Director Association (PSADA) Athletic Director of the Year.
Mr. Bozzuto was PSADA’s President-Elect from July, 2018 to June, 2020 and is currently the President from July 2021 to June, 2023. He has been recognized numerous times by PSADA for distinguishing himself as a leader in athletic administration. He has received the PSADA Region IV Athletic Director of the Year, Distinguished Service Award and Distinguished Instructor of Coaching Education.
Mr. Bozzuto attended Howland High School in Warren, Ohio, where he was a varsity athlete in wrestling, football and baseball. He graduated from Youngstown State in 1979 and went on to earn certifications in Elementary Education and Athletic Administration. This is Mr. Bozzuto’s 44th year in education.
He worked for a year in the Hempfield Area School District and 19 years in the Franklin Regional School District before moving to North Allegheny, where he has been Athletic Director for the past 24 years. Mr. Bozzuto has taught Government, Economics, Psychology, Social Studies and Third Grade. He has coached football, wrestling, basketball, baseball, cross country and track. He has been involved with the Washington Wild Things baseball team in the Frontier League as Field Manager and Administrative Vice President.
Mr. Bozzuto and his wife Shelley have two sons, Bobby and Anthony, a daughter Christina, and two grandchildren, Blaise and Gabriella. Congratulations Robert Bozzuto, Pennsylvania State Athletic Director of the Year.
ABOUT PSADA
PSADA has grown and evolved to be one of the preeminent state associations of athletic administration in the nation. Claiming the largest membership of over 800 athletic directors, PSADA continues to grow.
PSADA has been identified by the PA Department of Education as a state approved provider of professional development for the position of athletic director. PSADA is recognized as a major contributor to interscholastic athletics and programs that enhance the development of student-athletes across the Commonwealth.