Melissa Strother
| No. 18[1] | |
| Date of birth | November 4, 1982 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Covina, California |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | K |
| US college | Azusa Pacific |
| Career history | |
| As coach | |
| 2025–present | Washington Wolfpack |
| As player | |
| 2022 | Rapid City Marshals |
| 2024 | Washington Wolfpack |
Melissa Strother (born November 4, 1982 in Covina, California)[2] is an American football player who was the first woman to score points in an Arena Football League game when she did so for the Washington Wolfpack in 2024.[1]
She played college soccer at Azusa Pacific University in the 2000s and was recruited to play for the California Quakes, a women's American football team based in Long Beach, California. She later played for the San Diego Surge and the women's American football national team and has also served as an athletic trainer for the Los Angeles Rams.[1][3]
In 2022, Strother played for the Rapid City Marshals during her first stint with men's football.[4] She joined the Washington Wolfpack for the inaugural 2024 Arena Football League season. In June 2024, Strother kicked their game-winning point against the Southwest Kansas Storm with less than 4 seconds remaining, becoming the first woman to score in an AFL game.[1][5]
In December 2024, Strother announced her retirement as a player but continued to coach for the Wolfpack, acting as their special teams coordinator.[6]
Strohther's memoir, Play For Her was published in 2023.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Shefte, Kate (2024-06-05). "Despite travails of arena football, Melissa Strother has found spot with WA's Wolfpack". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
- ^ King, Lisa (2017-02-03). "Team USA - Melissa Strother, San Diego Surge". Women's Football Alliance. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
- ^ "First woman to play in Arena Football League history, part of new Washington Wolfpack team". king5.com. 2024-05-14. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
- ^ Feighery, Megan (2022-04-11). "Meet the Rapid City Marshals' only female player". South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
- ^ "Wolfpack Stun Storm in Barn Burner 47-46". theafl.com. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ^ "Washington Wolfpack and arena football returns to Angel of the Winds Arena in March 2025". lynnwoodtimes.com. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
- ^ Strother, Melissa (2023). Play for Her. ISBN 979-8648973077.
- 1982 births
- Living people
- Arena Football League (2024) players
- Azusa Pacific Cougars women's soccer players
- Female players of American football
- American football placekickers
- Indoor American football coaches
- 21st-century American sportswomen
- Sportspeople from Covina, California
- Players of American football from Los Angeles County, California
- Champions Indoor Football players