Bronco Moonwater Collection

FULL FINDING AID AND LIST OF MATERIALS

Read the finding aid for the Bronco Moonwater Collection processed between 2020-2024.

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Biography

Bronco Moonwater (b. 1948) was a professional football player who played on the Toledo Troopers women’s football team. Bronco grew up in small midwest towns. At age 14, she began attending a convent to become a nun but was dismissed in her twenties. At the time she did not know her dismissal had to do with her sexuality. She grew up as a self-described “tomboy.” Her parents encouraged her to try out for the Toledo Troopers, which began her career in professional football. Her moniker “Bronco” came from her coach, hall of fame inductee Bronko Nagurski. In Bronco’s own words, “For me, playing football also set me on a path that led to my finally coming out at age 27.” Bronco played with the Troopers from 1972-1976. She was sidelined with injuries after 1976. After her football career, Bronco became involved in political and environmental organizing.  

The Toledo Troopers (1971-1980) was a professional women’s American football team based in Toledo, Ohio. The Troopers were founded in 1971 before the passing of Title IX. The team began as a member of the Women’s Professional Football League, which became the National Women’s Football League in 1974. Under the leadership of Coach Bill Stout, The Toledo Troopers became seven-time world champions, awarding them the reputation of “winningest team in professional football history.” In 1975 the Trooper’s star running back, Linda Jefferson, was named WomenSports Magazine’s first ever “Woman Athlete of the Year.” The team disbanded after their 1979 season. In 2014 the Troopers became the first inductees into the Women’s Football Foundation Hall of Fame.