Photo courtesy of Barry Millman, photographer for the Boston Militia
Kevin Henry: How long have you worked in dentistry and what are your current responsibilities? Katie Tylander: I have been working at the Center For Advanced Dental Care since September 2008 and I am the recall coordinator for the office. Besides maintaining the doctors' and hygienists' schedules, I check in and check out patients, assist with treatment planning and payment planning, and research and explain insurance benefits. I also help out in the operatories with charts, set-up, and cleaning when needed.KH: What do you like best about your dental job?Tylander: I like helping our patients in any way possible as well as educating them as best I can about oral hygiene. A healthy mouth leads to a healthy body.KH: How did you first get involved with the Boston Militia?Tylander: I stumbled across a women's football team Web site from a different state, and immediately did a search to find a local team. I was still in college at the time playing Division I Lacrosse, so I had to wait until I graduated to join the team.KH: Tell me about your tryout and how it went.Tylander: The tryout was fun. We did a lot of timed speed and footwork drills so the coaches could assess our abilities. I knew some of the players so I wasn't too scared, just very excited.KH: You say on your bio you've wanted to play football since you were a little kid. What got you interested in football?Tylander: I have two older brothers who I idolized as a child. I wanted to do everything with them, so I grew up playing every sport possible. However, my football experience never really left the backyard because there was no team for me to play on. In high school the hockey field was adjacent to the football field, and when not fully engaged in practice I would watch theirs with envy. As soon as I found out about women's football I knew it was something I wanted to try.KH: You played lacrosse at Harvard and on the under-19 USA World Cup Lacrosse Team. How does your lacrosse experience help you in football, or does it?Tylander: My lacrosse experience helps me tremendously in football, mostly because I have been a part of a team and training at a high level since I was about 13. It was one of the reasons I wanted to play football when I graduated. I was not ready to retire to recreation league play.KH: You're playing wide receiver. What do you like best about the position?Tylander: My favorite part about playing wide receiver is being able to do something that helps one of my teammates. Obviously I enjoy catching the ball, getting the first down and such, but if I can execute a good block and one of our running backs can score, or I can block down field for another receiver, that is far more rewarding.KH: You list Randy Moss as your favorite pro athlete. Do you watch NFL receivers to learn more about your position?Tylander: Actually I was planning to update that this year. I think my favorite pro athlete is Wes Welker. I really respect his hard work and dedication to the team. My teammates and I are constantly watching football for pleasure as well as an education. I have definitely seen some moves on TV that I would like to try. Playing football has also made me an avid fan. I certainly always enjoyed watching football, but playing allows me to see the game in a whole new light. The game is so complex and now I can spot what makes a play work and how it unfolds.KH: What's one thing people don't understand about women playing football?Tylander: That it exists! I’m always talking about football with patients and they’re shocked to learn I play. They always say, "You mean soccer right?" And I answer, "No football football — pads and everything." Occasionally I have to show them pictures before they believe me.
Editor’s Note: I recently had the chance to speak with Katie Tylander, who is a member of the Boston Militia, a member of the Independent Women’s Football League. When Tylander isn’t catching passes, she’s working as a dental assistant.
