Alex Tech, OLLU Adding Women's Flag Football; Midway to Launch in 2027
One school from the NJCAA and one from the NAIA are adding women's flag football programs for the 2026-27 academic year. Alexandria Technical and Community College (MN) is one of the two new program announcements. Alex Tech competes in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and named Marnie Korteum as head coach.
Alex Tech is the second school from the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) to add a flag football program. Minnesota North College - Vermilion announced a program last year, alongside six other NJCAA schools. Five other schools in Minnesota have flag football programs and compete in the Midwest College Women's Flag Football League: Bethel University, College of Saint Benedict, Concordia College Moorhead, Gustavus Adolphus College, and the University of Northwestern-St. Paul.
The NAIA's Our Lady of the Lake University (TX) is adding a varsity program beginning with the 2026-27 academic year as well. OLLU is the second member of the Red River Athletic Conference to add a team, following Xavier University of Louisiana's club team. 15 schools in Texas offer flag football, but Texas Wesleyan University is the only other varsity NAIA program in the state.
One school has pushed back its flag football start date. NAIA member Midway University (KY) will now play its first season in the 2026-27 academic year. The school previously announced its first season would take place in spring 2026. Midway is one of four teams in Kentucky to offer flag football, along with Campbellsville University (NAIA), Eastern Kentucky University (NCAA Division I Club), and Lindsey Wilson University (NAIA). Four teams in the Mid-South Conference offer flag football: Campbellsville (KY), Cumberland University (TN), Lindsey Wilson (KY), and Midway (KY).
Over 75 schools have announced a new flag football program for the 2026-27 academic year. The NJCAA has seven of those programs, while the NAIA will expand by at least 20 next season. The NAIA will host its first invitational tournament later this spring as it moves closer to becoming a varsity sport.