Dutka grew up in Fox Chase and has been involved with the Southampton Knights Youth Football program for close to a decade as a board member for the tackle circuit in the fall and a coach for the co-ed flag football team in the spring. When the Eagles announced the launch of their Girls Flag Football League in 2022, Dutka reached out to Ryan, where her daughter, Kimberly Donnelly, was transferring for the start of her sophomore year. Dutka persuaded the school’s officials that she would do all of the legwork to get the program started. Her daughter initially was a part of the softball team, but after seeing the fun that the flag football players were having with her mom, she switched over.
Dutka credits this season’s success to the five seniors who were a part of that opening squad – Drew Bark, Frankie Brunkel, Kait Cannon, Alexis Tina McLeod, and Arianna Shinholster. In total, Ryan boasts nine seniors with the aforementioned players above and Alexis Byrne, Tiffany Chen, Willette Makor, and Jaide Quarles.
“When you have girls that you’ve been able to develop over so many years and build bonds and friendships with all of these newer girls coming in, it just makes all of the difference in the world,” Dutka said. “They’re all such great role models. We’ve had girls stand up and talk about how joining this team has changed their life, and how they have had the best experience of their life on this team and with this sport and with everything else that comes with it. Sure, winning games is great, but the bond that the girls have built has just been so fun to watch.”
Dutka’s daughter has since graduated, but the head coach has no intention of leaving her post anytime soon.
“It’s such a great school. We have such a great support system,” Dutka said. “I’ll stay because you just love the girls and their energy.”