LIU riding wave of women's flag football with help of Jets, Jimmy Barbarise
Share this @internewscast.com

“Capo: Rise to Power,” the hit mob series by Jimmy Barbarise, may be in the midst of filming its second season, but the show’s lead actor has his sights set on a different kind of drama. Barbarise is stepping into a new role as the head coach for the inaugural season of Long Island University Sharks women’s flag football team.

“When I have calls with the team’s parents, their questions often aren’t about flag football,” Barbarise chuckled in an interview with The Post.

“They always start with, ‘I watched the show and loved it. When is Season 2 coming out?’ and I have to remind them, ‘Let’s focus on discussing your daughter, shall we?'” he added, noting that he often gifts signed posters to the families of the players.

Originally from Centereach, Barbarise has a notable coaching record, having led the University of Tampa to a third-place national ranking. He’s also a member of the Long Island flag football Hall of Fame. This year marks a significant step as he joins the Long Island University Sharks team.

Thanks to a generous $1 million contribution from the New York Jets and their Betty Wold Johnson Foundation, LIU’s Eastern College Athletic Conference is launching the largest collegiate flag football league in the country, featuring 15 teams.

The New York Jets and their Betty Wold Johnson Foundation kicked in a healthy $1M to LIU’s Eastern College Athletic Conference to launch America’s largest collegiate flag football league of 15 teams.

Sweetening the deal, championships for the coveted “Betty” trophy will be played at MetLife Stadium starting in 2027 when the World Cup concludes.

“It’s so surreal,” said wideout E’lise Lyrse during the league’s massive media day at The Meadowlands.

“I’ve never seen people come together for a sport like this,” added the sophomore who moved from LIU’s rowing team to try her luck on the gridiron.

Getting their button 

Lyrse isn’t the only flag football newcomer repping the Sharks this season, as Barbarise’s team has only four women with prior experience.

“We’re really starting from scratch,” the head coach admitted, saying he opened the books to anyone.

“I sat in the common area and asked people if they wanted to play football… we had players asking roommates.”

But sharks are born swimming.

The mob man picked two experienced first years as his football family’s captains to get newbies ready: High school teammates at Valley Stream, running back Ryann Blount and cornerback Sophia Songveeratham.

Blount said they “would run our own little clinics” that taught the basics of the 7-on-7 game, like route running, plus lots of conditioning.

“Months before coach was even on campus, we were training just on the grass, just running around in the dark — just doing everything we could to get any progress,” added Lyrse, who described the group as inseparable.

When asked how many players watch Barbarise’s show, the captains hilariously declined to comment.

“I swear we’ll get to it,” Blount said.

Made for this 

While the first season may be a building year, Songveeratham is confident that Long Island’s explosive high school flag football landscape will certainly pad out the roster moving forward.

“We had about 26 seniors on the team,” she said of her senior year at Valley Stream.

“It’s so impressive how the programs have been growing so much over the Island. … I want to see how much this can go, and I can’t wait.”

Barbarise added that the local hotbed is making his job easier as well.

“A lot of them have reached out,” he said. “I’ve got a road map to recruits.”

But the Sharks — one of the loudest teams at the Jets media day — don’t plan on waiting to show the flag football world what they’re made of come game one vs. Mercy on St. Patrick’s Day.

“I know my team, I know we can do it,” said Blount. “Watch out for the new kids on the block.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
You really can't make it up!

Unbelievable Yet True: Astonishing Event Captivates the World

A California Democrat, recently convicted of drunk driving, has become an internet…
US targets Chinese refinery in sweeping Iran oil crackdown, sanctions ‘shadow fleet’ tankers

US Cracks Down on Chinese Refinery and ‘Shadow Fleet’ in Major Iran Oil Sanctions Effort

The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced on Friday…
Russia launches one of its largest attacks of the war, killing at least 10 Ukrainian civilians and wounding 73 others: ‘Vile war crime’

Russia’s Massive Assault in Ukraine: 10 Civilians Killed, 73 Injured in Escalating Conflict

In a tragic escalation of violence, at least 10 individuals lost their…
National Rebuilding Day: Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago provides free home repairs across Cook County

National Rebuilding Day: Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago Offers Complimentary Home Repairs Throughout Cook County

In an ambitious effort, Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago transformed over 60 homes…
Read WHCD gunman Cole Allen's full anti-Trump manifesto

Exclusive: Inside WHCD Gunman Cole Allen’s Anti-Trump Manifesto – Full Text Revealed

Ten minutes before the shocking incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner,…
California governor candidate Xavier Becerra squirms as he's grilled on missing millions

Xavier Becerra Faces Tough Questions: Unraveling the Mystery of Missing Millions in California Governor Race

California gubernatorial hopeful Xavier Becerra finds himself navigating a storm of scrutiny…
Iran turmoil erupts: Ultra-hardliner who mocked Trump poised to take over nuclear talks

Iran Faces Upheaval: Ultra-Hardliner Set to Lead Nuclear Negotiations After Mocking Trump

Trump cancels Iran peace talks, citing US leverage President Donald Trump abruptly…
President Trump and his allies insist Saturday's WHCD shooting vindicates his push for über-secure White House ballroom

Trump’s Security Fears Confirmed: White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting Sparks Debate on Ballroom Safety

WASHINGTON — In the wake of Saturday’s shooting incident at the White…
Hungary's PM Viktor Orban to leave parliament after landslide defeat

Hungary’s Political Shift: PM Viktor Orban Steps Down Following Major Parliamentary Defeat

Hungary’s outgoing Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, has announced his decision to relinquish…
Long Island woman throws dynamite at sleeping boyfriend -- and his hand is blown off trying to save himself

Shocking Long Island Incident: Woman Hurls Dynamite at Sleeping Boyfriend, Resulting in Horrific Injury

A woman from Long Island is looking at a potential 25-year prison…
US economic chokehold on Iran reaches peak leverage as collapse risks emerge

U.S. Economic Pressure on Iran Intensifies Amid Emerging Risks of Collapse

Economic sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran have reached unprecedented…
Mississippi middle schoolers stop runaway bus after driver loses consciousness from asthma attack

Mississippi Middle School Students Heroically Halt Runaway Bus Following Driver’s Asthma-Related Emergency

In a remarkable display of courage, a group of middle school students…