The Danbury Diesel Football Team announced an exciting new addition to their arena football team during a press conference held on April 24 at Hotel Zero Degrees, catered by São Paulo Brazilian Steakhouse. The team is set to kick off this summer for four nights only at the Danbury Ice Arena.

Tracey Curtis, a Connecticut-made star and University of Central Florida (UCF) graduate, has been named the head coach for the 2025 season. After coaching at the Apprentice School at Newport News, Virginia, she produced two first-team All-Atlantic Central Football Conference defensive backs before returning to Connecticut to serve as a high school football Coach at Jonathan Law High School. Soon after, she made history by becoming the first female to play a skill position at the semi-professional level in the United Football League (UFL) with the Connecticut Giants, establishing her status as a trailblazer from the beginning.

Tracey then returned to the sidelines as an Assistant Coach for the Defensive Backs at Southern Connecticut State University. She is a former USA Football Master Trainer who has conducted numerous clinics, including the NFL Play 60 Character Camp with the New York Giants, which was sponsored by Anthony Munoz.

"It's an honor and a privilege to bring the roar back to The Danbury Ice Arena as the first female Head Coach in pro Arena football history", said Coach Curtis. "I am proud of the person the game of football has helped me become, and I strive to be the person my family, my loved ones, and the State of CT can be proud of. I would love nothing more than to set this team up for success by creating a culture rich in tradition, values, and character; go Diesel."  

Danbury Diesel's General Manager, Kayton Mitchell, is extremely excited about the new hire.

"We're thrilled to have the Danbury Diesel help power the female coach revolution. Danbury Pride will be rocking the house. Bank on wall-to-wall fun for everyone, especially for our game opener on June 7th, on Danbury Spirit Night. On this historic night, Coach Tracey Curtis will shatter the female head coach barrier for good." 

The Danbury Diesel will begin their highly anticipated 2025 season on June 7 at 6 p.m. at the Danbury Ice Arena for Danbury Spirit Night. Danbury Diesel fans, known as the Danbury Boneheads, can look forward to exciting hits, impressive plays, and fast-paced action this summer.