Papa's pride: Skahan following daughter's football career
By JESSICA TIMS
Morning Sun Sports Writer
June 15, 2003

Saturday evening, Benny Skahan received a Father's Day present any sports loving father would love. He sat in the stands and watched first hand as his favorite semi-pro football team won a division championship and homefield advantage in the upcoming playoffs.

Skahan went to the J.C. Harmon high school stadium rooting for the Kansas City Krunch, an expansion team of the National Women's Football Association. Skahan is particularly fond of the team's starting strong safety, his daughter, Kris.

"I am proud of her. I brag about her," Skahan said. "What's really neat to me is when we go out on the field after the games and all the young women who come out on the field with their dads wanting the autographs of these female players. It's just awesome."

Kris always wanted a chance to play football growing up but was never given the opportunity.

"Growing up in Pittsburg, Kansas, which is a huge football town, and just loving to play sports, it was something that I always wanted to do," she said. "But of course I was always told 'you can't,' especially at the high school level."

But she wasn't going to let a little thing like gender stand in her way.

As Kris, a State Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in Kansas City, Kan., drove to work last year, she heard an announcement on radio that a new women's semi-professional football team was looking for players.

"They gave a date and name and person to call. So I called and I just showed up at the tryouts," the Pittsburg High School alumna said.

Not only did Skahan make the team, she also earned the title of team captain, a honor bestowed upon only six of the team's 45 players.

She said she received mixed reactions when she called home to tell her family about her new hobby, but her dad was the most enthusiastic.

"My dad was really excited for me. He has always been a real big supporter. My brother-in-law and brother were pretty supportive," she said. "I think my mom thought I was a little bit crazy and I think my sister did too."

Benny Skahan said he was not worried about his daughter because he was familiar with her athletic ability. Kris played basketball and softball at Allen County Community College before transferring to the University of Central Arkansas, where she was a shortstop on the softball team.

"I knew she could hold her own," Benny said. "But when I see them playing and getting carried off the field I kind of hold my breath."

Kris' mother, Debbie, was a little more worried. She said she was afraid that Kris, who tore her ACL in a high school basketball game, would reinjure her knee.

Everyone in the Skahan family has made the trip to see Kris play at least once. But Benny hasn't missed a game.

"He went down to Oklahoma City," Debbie Skahan said of her husband. "He took her down there. He's always been very interested and supportive."

Benny Skahan said he enjoys going to the games and encouraged anyone who has a chance to go see one.

"It's electric. It's just awesome," he said. "Because here's women that's never played this sport in their lives, other than maybe intramural or in the backyard with their brothers, and here they are looking like professionals.

"These coaches are magnificent. They have been able to take these athletic women and mold them into an awesome team."

Benny Skahan admits that his pride for Kris does sway his opinion of the team.

"I guess I'm kind of biased, but I was just awestruck when I saw how well-organized and disciplined they are. They all look like football players. You would have never know their sex, that they were females, once they are out there on the field and they have there helmets on."

As the NWFA grows, three new expansion teams will make 33 next season, Kris said if she had the opportunity to go pro with her team she would take it. And her biggest fan would support her all the way.

"I would say go for it," he said. "That's what it's all about. Take every opportunity that comes along."