When Viv Kuliecza moved from New York City to Buffalo in the middle of the pandemic, she couldn’t have imagined that just a few years later she’d be standing on the sidelines helping young athletes—especially girls—find confidence through football.
Now a liberal arts student at Duquesne University, Kuliecza is at the center of a growing movement that’s changing the face of youth sports. Through her volunteer work with local programs, she’s creating opportunities for kids who might not otherwise have access—and building a sense of belonging for girls in a sport traditionally dominated by boys.
“I never thought that I was going to leave New York City,” Kuliecza said. “Being a high schooler, moving to Buffalo during a pandemic—at a time in my life where I was already going through a lot of changes—it was hard. But looking back now, I learned to expect nothing. You can’t plan everything, and that’s okay.”
Finding Herself in a New City
When her family made the move to Buffalo, Kuliecza was only 13. The world was shut down, and her idea of a “traditional” high school experience quickly disappeared.
“I think we picked Buffalo because I wanted that kind of high school experience you see in movies,” she said. “But what I learned is that there is no traditional high school experience. High school is high school—no matter where you go.”
That lesson, she said, shaped her ability to adapt—a skill that would later help her navigate the challenges of entering a male-dominated sports space.
From Hockey Rinks to the Football Field
Kuliecza wasn’t raised in a football household. “You’d think being from New York City I’d be a Giants or Jets fan,” she said, laughing. “But I actually only watched hockey. I’m a huge Rangers fan.”
She added, “I’m also a Yankees fan and a Knicks fan, but football just never caught my attention. Part of my heart was so consumed with the Rangers that I didn’t really care to look at the Jets or Giants—and they were out in Jersey, which just felt far away.”
That changed the moment she arrived in Buffalo.
“It’s Bills country. You can’t drive five minutes without seeing something Buffalo Bills,” she said. “So I knew I was going to become a Bills fan. The summer I moved, it was all Bills everything. Once I started going to games, hanging out with fans, and being part of that energy—you just fall in love with it. You love the people, you love the environment, and then you fall in love with the team too. I mean, how can you not love Josh Allen?”
A Moment That Changed Everything
Kuliecza’s volunteer work began as small, behind-the-scenes tasks—helping organize youth flag football games, setting up fields, or managing schedules. But one summer afternoon changed the way she saw her role entirely.
“I was at the table that day, checking people in, when two boys from the neighborhood came over,” she recalled. “They were holding a football, wearing slides, tank tops—it was hot. They weren’t signed up for the league, they were just looking for their friend.”
After helping them find the right field, the boys returned later with a question that stopped her in her tracks: Can we play?
“I knew the answer in my heart was yes,” she said. “So I went to my boss and told him, ‘I’ve got two boys here who really want to play.’ He looked at them and said, ‘Do you have sneakers at home?’ They said yes. So he handed them waivers and said, ‘Bring these back signed next week, bring your sneakers, and we’ll have a team for you.’”
The moment was simple—but profound.
“There was no talk of money, no barriers,” Kuliecza said. “We were in South Buffalo, in a community where being able to just say ‘yes’ to something like that can change things for families. That experience showed me what our work was really about—creating access and opportunity.”
Building a Space for Girls
It wasn’t long before Kuliecza began thinking even bigger. During one of her first seasons helping with the program, she approached her supervisor, Russ Kingsbury, with an idea: an all-girls football clinic.
“At the time, we ran mostly co-ed programs, and we didn’t see a lot of girls showing up,” she said. “I didn’t think it was because they didn’t want to play. I thought it was because they didn’t have something designed just for them.”
With Kingsbury’s support, Kuliecza helped organize the first girls-only flag football clinic—planned in just two weeks. They expected a handful of attendees. Sixty girls showed up.
“I remember looking at the field and thinking, this is crazy—in the best way,” she said. “We split the big football field into five smaller ones by age group, and we had clinics, games, scrimmages—it was incredible.”
For Kuliecza, it was about more than football. It was about inclusion.
“When you’re the only girl on a team of guys, it’s intimidating,” she said. “Sometimes the ball doesn’t get thrown your way, and that can discourage you from playing. Having a girls-only space means the playing field is even. Everyone gets a chance to shine.”
The Power of Flag Football
Flag football has become one of the fastest-growing youth sports in America, especially for girls—and Kuliecza believes she knows why.
“People love football,” she said. “But parents worry about contact injuries and CTE. With flag, you get the excitement of the game without the physical risks. It’s safer, and it gives kids—especially girls—a way to play that feels empowering and fun.”
She’s seen firsthand how much the sport has grown. “In New York State alone, it’s exploded in the past four years,” she said. “I was lucky to be part of one of the first teams. Now, every time I check in back home, there’s more—more teams, more players, bigger events. It’s amazing to watch.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
As someone who’s just beginning her college journey, Kuliecza already understands the power of representation—and the responsibility that comes with it.
“I’m on the pre-law track, and even outside of sports, I think a lot about what it means to be a woman in male-dominated spaces,” she said. “I went to a Women in Politics conference this summer, and what I learned there stuck with me: we have to do it because someone has to do it. Sometimes just showing up is enough to make a difference.”
Her advice to young girls who might be hesitant to step into those spaces is simple but powerful.
“Getting involved might seem small or scary,” she said. “But putting your foot in the right direction—that’s huge. Sometimes, just being in the room matters. It might not feel like it, but it does.”
Looking Ahead
When asked about her biggest dream, Kuliecza laughed before turning serious.
“My first dream is a Buffalo Bills Super Bowl,” she said, grinning. “But really, I want to see more young women playing football—not just for the sport itself, but for what it gives back. Football gave me confidence, community, and friendships I’ll have for life. I want other girls to experience that too.”
Kuliecza’s passion continues to ripple across her community and beyond. The girls she’s inspired today might one day be the coaches, players, or leaders of tomorrow.
“Football teaches you so much more than how to win a game,” she said. “It teaches you teamwork, trust, and resilience. And those are things every girl deserves to feel.”
