College of Saint Mary Adding Flag Football

The College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska is adding a flag football team. The Flames will begin competition during the spring 2027 season and will look to hire a head coach this fall. Saint Mary is a member of the NAIA's Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) and is the second GPAC school to add the sport following Midland University (NE).

Saint Mary is looking to join the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference as an affiliate member for flag football. If approved, the KCAC will have 11 members in 2027: Baker (KS), Bethel (KS), Cottey (MO), Graceland (IA), Kansas Wesleyan (KS), Midland (NE), Ottawa (KS), Saint Mary (Kansas), Saint Mary (Nebraska), Southwestern (KS), and William Woods (MO).

The NAIA considers flag football an emerging sport and can become an "invitational sport" once 25 schools declare an intent to sponsor flag football. In order to be considered a national championship sport, the NAIA requires a minimum of 40 varsity teams and approval by the NAIA's National Administrative Council (NAC). The NAIA is expected to have around 35 varsity flag football teams in 2025-26.

Over 80 colleges are adding a club or varsity flag football team for the 2026 spring season. Four schools are planning to compete starting in the 2027 spring season, including Lourdes (OH), Ripon (WI), Saint Mary (NE), and Saginaw Valley State (MI).