5 Shocking Facts About The Jersey Shore Wave Football Team That Are Redefining New Jersey Sports
The Jersey Shore Wave is not what you think. While the name might conjure images of beachside flag football or a casual recreational league, the Wave is, in fact, the newest professional women's tackle football franchise, making a massive splash in the Women's National Football Conference (WNFC). This team represents a pivotal moment for women's sports in the Garden State, bringing high-impact, full-contact action to a legendary venue and challenging traditional sports narratives with a roster of dedicated athletes.
As of December 23, 2025, the Jersey Shore Wave is deep into its inaugural season, establishing a fierce presence in the WNFC and quickly becoming a must-watch sports entity. Their journey is one of ambition, historical preservation, and the sheer grit of female athletes proving that professional tackle football is not a sport reserved for men. From their visionary ownership to their historic home field, here are five shocking facts that reveal why the Jersey Shore Wave is the most intriguing new team in New Jersey sports.
The Team's Biography and Key Figures (2025 Inaugural Season)
The Jersey Shore Wave was established as an expansion team in the Women's National Football Conference (WNFC), a premier professional women's tackle football league in the United States. Their debut in the 2025 season marks a significant milestone for the WNFC, expanding its footprint into the competitive Northeast sports market. The team is built on a foundation of professional ambition and community engagement, aiming to inspire the next generation of female athletes.
- Team Name: Jersey Shore Wave
- League: Women's National Football Conference (WNFC)
- Inaugural Season: 2025
- Home Stadium: Hinchliffe Stadium, Paterson, New Jersey
- Team Owner/Visionary: Dawn Sherman (Seasoned businesswoman, investor, and executive)
- Head Coach: Fabian Alesandro (25 years of coaching experience; also teaches at Tenafly High School)
- Roster Size: Approximately 65 women
- Key Players Mentioned: Mulligan (Leading the charge on the roster), Goolsby (NJ Transit train conductor and player)
- 2025 Division (As per WNFC standings): Pacific Division (Competing with teams like Chicago Winds and Tennessee Trojans)
- 2025 Record (Partial): 2-4 (as of December 2025)
Fact 1: They Play Professional, Full-Contact Tackle Football in the Elite WNFC
The most crucial—and often misunderstood—fact about the Jersey Shore Wave is that they are a legitimate, professional, full-contact tackle football team. They are not a semi-pro or amateur league; they compete in the Women's National Football Conference (WNFC), which is widely recognized as the most advanced professional women's American football league in the United States.
The WNFC features intense competition, high-level coaching, and a commitment to accelerating women's sports. The Wave's inaugural 2025 season saw them immediately pitted against established rivals like the Chicago Winds and the Washington Prodigy. Their early season results, including a tight 22-27 loss to the Chicago Winds, demonstrate the high caliber of play and the competitive spirit the team brings to the field. The league's structure, which includes the IX Cup Weekend and a full postseason, ensures that the Wave is part of a serious and growing professional sports ecosystem.
The athletes on the roster are fierce competitors, dedicating countless hours to training while often balancing full-time careers. For example, one named player, Goolsby, is a train conductor for NJ Transit. This level of commitment underscores the passion and drive required to compete in the WNFC.
Fact 2: Their Home Field is the Historic Hinchliffe Stadium
The Jersey Shore Wave has anchored itself in history by choosing the newly renovated Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey, as its home field. This is a shocking and significant detail, as Hinchliffe is one of only a handful of remaining stadiums that hosted Negro League Baseball games, making it a national landmark.
Playing in a nearly 100-year-old venue that has been meticulously restored connects the team to a rich legacy of barrier-breaking sports history. The choice of Hinchliffe Stadium showcases the Wave's commitment not only to professional football but also to revitalizing and celebrating New Jersey's deep cultural roots. The venue provides a powerful, historic backdrop for the modern, professional sport of women's tackle football, creating a unique game-day experience for fans in the tri-state area.
Fact 3: The Ownership Group Won a Major WNFC Award in Their First Year
In a stunning testament to the organization's immediate impact, the Jersey Shore Wave's ownership group was recognized with the prestigious Ownership Group of the Year award by the WNFC in 2025. This is an incredibly rare achievement for a new expansion franchise and highlights the exceptional vision and execution of the team's leadership.
The visionary behind the team is Dawn Sherman, a seasoned businesswoman, investor, and executive. Sherman’s leadership has been instrumental in the team's rapid establishment, from securing the historic Hinchliffe Stadium to assembling a competitive roster of 65 women. Her message to skeptics—and her clear goal—is to elevate women's tackle football to the level of respect and attention it deserves, treating the athletes and the organization with the professionalism of any major league sports franchise. This early recognition by the league proves the Wave is not just playing football; they are setting a new standard for how professional women's sports teams should be run.
Fact 4: Their Head Coach is a 25-Year Veteran of the Game
To ensure a competitive debut, the Jersey Shore Wave secured the services of legendary coach Fabian Alesandro as their Head Coach. Alesandro is not a rookie in the coaching world; he brings an impressive 25 years of football coaching experience to the sidelines.
Alesandro's extensive background provides the necessary tactical depth and player development expertise for a new team to quickly find its footing in a highly competitive league like the WNFC. His dual role as a high school teacher at Tenafly High School further illustrates the dedication of the staff, balancing professional commitments with the demands of coaching a professional sports team. The combination of a seasoned coach and a talented roster—which includes standout players like Mulligan, who has been noted for leading the charge—is crucial for the Wave's long-term success and ability to contend with veteran WNFC teams like the Florida Avengers and the Tennessee Trojans.
Fact 5: They Are Part of a Growing Sports Movement and Community
Beyond the wins and losses, the Jersey Shore Wave is a symbol of a powerful, growing movement in American sports: the rise of professional women's tackle football. The team's existence provides a crucial platform for female athletes who previously had limited opportunities to play football at a professional level.
The community support has been palpable, with the team hosting three regular season home games at Hinchliffe Stadium, drawing fans from across the state. The Wave's mission extends beyond the field, aiming to inspire young girls and women to pursue their athletic dreams, regardless of traditional gender norms in sports. The franchise is actively engaging with the community, offering season passes and sponsorship opportunities to build a strong, sustainable fan base. By joining the WNFC and establishing a base in New Jersey, the Jersey Shore Wave is not just a team; they are a cultural phenomenon accelerating the visibility and respect for women’s professional football across the nation.
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