Staff
Baltimore Nighthawks Staff
Tanya A. Bryan
CEO & Founder
To Our Fans,
You are the real MVP’s. Through every triumph and struggle, you have stood by us.
Even during the height of COVID-19 crisis, you were here cheering us on. Season 13 was cancelled due to the coronavirus. This was something no one expected and certainly something we could not plan for. Through it all our fans remained supportive and continued to follow us and offer support via our social media platforms. Seeing you in the stands in 2021 was amazing. We were so happy to be back together on the field. We continue to be students of the game of football, and work towards our goal of bringing a World Championship to Baltimore. Through the highs and lows our fans have continued to support us. You have been there in rain, sleet, and snow to cheer us on. You have picked us up after losses and celebrated with us after wins. No matter the score, weather, or other conditions you have shown your love for this team, and we thank you for your continued support.
Our 16th season ended with our 2nd playoff win in Baltimore Nighthawks history, and our second Conference Championship appearance. The Conference Championship ended with a heartbreaking one-point loss to the eventual D2 Champions. Losing is never easy. When you are minutes away from reaching a goal, and watch it slip away, it fuels you in a way that only true competitors will understand. It becomes your single focus and everything you do is to go beyond that point and have success.
Season 17 is here, and I am looking forward to an incredible season with the Baltimore Nighthawks. We have some unfinished business. We are ready to build off last year’s success and finish the 2024 season hoisting the D2 trophy. To our fans who have experienced the full range of emotions with us, we are ready to celebrate with you in Canton, Ohio! Time to go to work!
Tanya A. Bryan
CEO & Founder
Game Day Operations:
Carol Bowman
Ronnie Bowman
BJ Jordan
Lydia West
Announcer Michael Bell
Video Bell Family
Medical Services:
Middle River Fire Department
ATC – Jaime Harris
ATC – Heather Kohlbus
Photograper
Hugh Scott aka HasMat3 Photography
Aleetra Mckay-Filson at Lilimckay Photography
Mission Statement
The Baltimore Nighthawks are proud members of the WFA {Women’s Football Alliance}. The goal of our league is to provide a safe and productive environment that enables women to learn and apply the principles of teamwork, discipline, dedication, and sportsmanship. We facilitate the development of strength and character in everyone that participates.
We are sustained by the efforts of volunteers who display an extraordinary amount of commitment and hard work, ensuring that our league is a positive influence. We also strive to provide a service to our community by providing a healthy outlet for women, opportunities for the community to gather together, and endless hours of entertainment.
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Baltimore Nighthawks Coaching Staff
Head Coach Mike Lynn
Offensive Coordinator Ray Idleman
Asst. Coach Gloria Curry
Asst. Coach Tanya Finigan
Asst. Coach Leaf
Special Teams Coach Bryan
Baltimore Nighthawks History
The Baltimore Nighthawks, LLC was formed in 2007, for the purpose of teaching women in Maryland and the surrounding areas how to play tackle football. It is important to give female athletes an opportunity to live their gridiron dreams. Our aim is to deliver the message that women do belong on the football field. Football is the ultimate team sport. The knowledge, relationships and memories gained by playing this game are priceless. Our plans, hopes and ambitions are to bring women’s football to a broader market and represent Maryland proudly. Being positive examples extends off the football field into the community we live and play in. As a team, we contribute our time to various charities including Healthcare for the Homeless and Mascots for a Cure. We believe it is important to work with our youth and get them moving and excited about fitness and sports. Many players and coaches work with various youth programs or go to elementary schools as speakers to promote the importance of sport and education. We work with Girl Scouts of Central MD, and participate in their annual cookie kick off by providing football focused activities for the Girl Scouts, Brownies and Daisies to participate in. We were members of the Independent Women’s Football League (IWFL) for nine years. In 2010 members of the IWFL represented the United States as Team USA in the inaugural IFAF Women’s World Championship. Team USA won the gold medal. The Baltimore Nighthawks were represented by Team Owner Tanya Bryan as Team Manager for the Defense as well as one linemen. In 2012 we were the Mid-Atlantic Division Champions. In 2014 we were honored to represent the Eastern Conference in the Founders Bowl. At the start of our 10th season, we joined the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA). We have made post season appearances for the last three seasons for our longest postseason run. In over sixteen seasons of Baltimore Nighthawks football, countless players and coaches have represented the Eastern Conference proudly in All-American games. In 2017, Shay Fitzgerald was named Offensive Player of the Year for the National Conference. In 2023, Rashida Ford was named Defensive Player of the Year for the National Conference. We have had multiple players selected as All-Americans every year with 8 Baltimore Nighthawks selected for 2023. The 2023 postseason run ended in New York with a one-point loss to the eventual D2 Champions. As we start plans for our 17th season, we are proud of our history and looking forward to the future.
#ChangeTheGame