A new football title chase lies ahead as women’s flag football closes in on NCAA championship status

Women's flag football is rapidly gaining momentum and vying for NCAA championship status. New programs are emerging across the country, preparing for the upcoming season. The sport is currently classified as an emerging sport by the NCAA, with over 120 schools set to field a team this academic year. A vote is scheduled for January to solidify flag football's inclusion at all NCAA levels.

It has already achieved championship status on the NAIA level, with the first Division I title game potentially being contested at a university not traditionally associated with football. Schools such as Cal Poly, known for its astronaut program, are actively recruiting top talent to establish their flag football programs. Furthermore, schools with tackle-football backgrounds like Nebraska are also entering the fray, with head coach Liz Sowers transitioning from leading Ottawa University to Kansas to the NCAA flag football scene.

The future may see an intramural star or a youth league standout rising to prominence in this sport. Maci Joncich, a quarterback/receiver from Cal Poly and a member of the USA Football national team, emphasizes the growing respect and recognition flag football is receiving. The goal is to secure championship sport status from the NCAA, potentially leading to a national title game as early as spring 2028, even before the LA Games where flag football will make its Olympic debut.