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Although players in the  

Women's Professional Football League

  aren't rewarded for playing ball with big contracts and fancy cars, they still find fulfillment. That's because they love the game. This is the case for three players of the New York Sharks, who go above and beyond the call of not only field duty, but book responsibility as well.

Monica Marsh, a linebacker and running back for the New York Sharks and massage therapy student at the New York College of Health Professions Medicine (New York, NY), has not only balanced her athletics with school, but works full time as well. Playing football is important to Monica because it's her passion. "[It's] my world and I will do what I have to do to play." She feels the same way about getting an education. "For me, education is number one. My philosophy is to devote time to school first, and the rest of it to football." Monica has followed this philosophy for the past four years - from January to July - while working full time, attending school twice a week, and devoting the remaining time to being the best she can be on the field.

Jennifer Blum, wide receiver and defensive end for the New York Sharks, is another prime example of an athlete who's excelling in football and class work. As a little girl, Jennifer - now a lawyer who recently graduated from Western New England College School of Law (Springfield, MA) - dreamed of playing football. However, she wasn't sure how taxing a career in sports would be on her physically. "You don't know what will happen tomorrow," Jennifer points out. "Your body and strength can give up."

Monica and Jennifer aren't the only New York Sharks players who have pursued their childhood dream of playing hard. Darleen Hall, who's been on the team for three years as a linebacker and runningback, is also a recent college graduate of New School University (New York, NY). "School gave me a greater confidence and sense of accomplishment, and football keeps me in touch with that little girl in the backyard who would have challenged herself to do anything" says Darleen, who worked full time during school. "I found a way to make it work and still ended up graduating with a 3.7 G.P.A."

Desire - this is the philosophy of on- and off-the-field success for Women's Professional Football League players Monica, Jennifer, and Darleen. As Darleen says, "If you really want something in life, you have to make it happen."

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