Jen Thompson and Sam Powell, partners for 20 years, were Chicago Force fans years ago. She even were in the stands, cheering in 2008 when the Force played in the national championship game.
Thompson also played one season for the Force, in 2011.
She has now moved upstairs on game day, into the press box, where she constantly updates the team's social media outlets, and more. She is the Force marketing director.
"In a way, the management of the team is a reflection of the athletics and vice versa, meaning, every day we try to get better as individuals in our roles and as teammates," Thompson said. "My role [now] just happens to be off the field.
"The biggest challenge is the lack of time, meaning we have to squeeze in the Force work around the rest of our lives.
"One of the perks of my role is I do the bulk of the social media updates, so I get to watch the games, which others don't, although the pressure is considerably higher. I also get to provide a service I would totally want to benefit from if I couldn't be at the game."
Thompson said she is hooked on football and her Force family for multiple reasons, including the pure physicality of the athletics and the team work that's required to be successful.
Football is Thompson's favorite sport, without question, especially since women's [tackle] football has long been considered "the final frontier," she said.
Thompson said learning the finer points of the game have been a challenge, but one she enjoys.
"I own a small property management company so my 'day job' is running that business," she said. "I'm also involved in the Chicago chapter of the Women's Council of Realtors."
But it's her job as the Chicago Force marketing director that she truly cherishes.
The Chicago Force next playoff game is Saturday, July 13, against Atlanta. Game time is 6 p.m., at Lazier Field on the campus of Evanston Township High School.
THE STATS
Age
42
Relationship status
Sam Powell, partners for 20 years
Neighborhood
West Loop
Hobbies
"I love watching sports and athletics of all kinds, movies, and other visually creative things."
Pets
Her dog, Afis, and she often takes Afis to the dog beach
FYI
"AFIS stands for the Automated Fingerprint Identification System, in case you were wondering," Thompson said.
Reading
"I love to read, [and] usually have five books going at any one time. I like to juxtapose topics and tend to read a lot more nonfiction than fiction."
Force fun
"I love some of the marketing I've done with the Force because I'm relatively new to Photoshop, so I'm enjoying the challenge of learning how to design in it."