The New York Sharks prepared for the 2001 season as a member of the Women’s Professional Football League. But there soon became some disagreements between the league and the Sharks on what was expected from each party. The Sharks already had the players set to go so management decided to pull the team out of the WPFL and play the 2001 season as an independent team.

The 2001 season consisted of a 10 game schedule with some games against the WPFL, like the Tampa Tempest and old arch-rival New England Storm but also included other independent teams. Some of these teams were members of other leagues like the IWFL Arizona Titans, while another was a team that had also pulled out of the WFPL, the Syracuse Stings (formerly known as the New York Galaxy).

The season was a strong one for the Sharks as they finished the season with 6-1 record. Offensively the team was led by quarterback Jen Lueck who threw for 8 touchdown passes and running back Kathy Holloman who rushed for 4 touchdowns. The defense was also superb as they shut-out the opposing team 4 times during the season and gave up on average only 5 points per game.

On September 11th, the World Trade Center was attacked. Fear and sorrow surrounded the nation and especially around New York City. The games were postponed for the next 3 weeks as it was difficult for teams to get flights to New York City and playing football just didn’t seem right with Ground Zero being only 10 miles away.

The Sharks re-started the season on October 7th with a victory over the visiting New England Storm. But on this day, the United States started bombing Afghanistan in retalliation of the World Trade Center attack. After the game, the decision to cancel the rest of the season was made. It was not known at the time how difficult it might be for teams to travel to New York. It was said on the radio that the New York City mayor, Rudy Guilliani might seal the city off as was done on September 11th and there was the fear that the New York Sharks could not guarantee the safety of visiting teams.

On October 19th, it was announced that the New York Sharks would be joining the Independent Women’s Football League for the 2002 season. This 12 team league would start playing in the Spring of 2002 and gives the Sharks a chance to get into the playoffs.

The Sharks played their 2001 home games on two fields. They played one of their home games at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New york and the other at Kane Stadium in Secaucus, New Jersey.