From military kid to pro football player

Being a military kid benefits us with many unique opportunities. From living overseas to meeting celebrities, we have the chance to do so many amazing things.

I had the amazing opportunity to complete my high school career in Wiesbaden, Germany at General HH Arnold High School (now Wiesbaden High School) from 2008-2011.

During this time, I competed in tennis, softball and basketball. Being in Wiesbaden gave me the opportunity to see and play in European events in each of these sports. With basketball I was even a part of the winning 2010 Lady Warriors team! We secured the championship and then turned around to get very close again the next year.

Taylor Terry (Dore) at Wiesbaden High School, 2010-2011 (provided by Taylor Terry)

Taylor Terry (Dore) at Wiesbaden High School, 2010-2011 (provided by Taylor Terry)

During this time in Wiesbaden, Tom Rooney, Jim Campbell, Mook Alexander and Linnea Velsvaag all helped me develop into the competitor and adult I am today. The coaches in all these sports helped instill a hard work ethic, sportsmanship and a determination to show up and improve my skills every day. I’m unsure whether they knew how important these lessons would be, but I can say that the tips and tricks taught to me by some of the finest mentors I’ve had still remain useful today in 2024.

After graduating from Wiesbaden, I moved to Maine for college where I got both an undergraduate and master’s degree from the University of Maine. I was then giving the opportunity to work for the Amateur Athletics Union (AAU) and the Walt Disney Company. As life progressed, I married and became a mom. 

After all of these adventures, I never saw myself being an athlete again. Then, I found out about the National Try Out day for the Women’s Football Alliance via Facebook. All of a sudden, I found myself once again in a sport that called upon those past learned skills from long ago coaches.

Taylor Terry, starting defensive end for the Cincinnati Cougars (provided by Taylor Terry)

At 31 years old, and over a decade after playing in Wiesbaden, I am competing in the Division III National Conference Championship in my home state of Maine with the finest group of women, the Cincinnati Cougars Semi Pro Tackle Football Team in the Women’s Football Alliance. 

Playing starting defensive end for the Cougars has been a steep, but rewarding, learning curve. It has placed me in many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, from being a front row guest at Travis and Jason Kelce’s podcast to representing the city of Cincinnati across the country. As a team, we hope to add National Champions to our list of experiences with the Cougars!

2024 Cincinnati Cougars Semi Pro Tackle Football Team (provided by Taylor Terry)

Reflecting on my time abroad and the job ahead of me to make it to the National Championship, I am forever grateful to the coaches of my past and the athlete they taught me to be!

Taylor Terry, starting defensive end for the Cincinnati Cougars (provided by Taylor Terry)