Freed-Hardeman Adding Women's Flag Football

Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee, is the latest NAIA member to announce the addition of a varsity women's flag football program. The Lions will start competing during the 2026-27 academic year. Jarred Clayton was named the team's inaugural head coach.

FHU is a member of the NAIA's Mid-South Conference, which now has four schools with a flag football program. Campbellsville University (KY), Cumberland University (TN), and Lindsey Wilson University (KY) will compete at the varsity level during the 2026 spring season.

There are now six flag football programs in Tennessee. Along with Cumberland and Freed-Hardeman, Jackson State Community College (NJCAA), King University (NCAA Division II), Milligan University (NAIA), and the University of Tennessee Southern (NAIA) have announced the addition of flag football.

15 NAIA schools have already announced a flag football program that will begin competing in the 2027 spring season. The long and growing list includes, UT Southern and Wesleyan will be joined by Calumet College of St. Joseph (IN), College of Saint Mary (NE), Defiance College (OH), Freed-Hardeman (TN), Hastings College (NE), Indiana Wesleyan University, Lourdes University (OH), McPherson College (KS), Missouri Baptist University (MO), Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Savannah College of Art and Design (GA), the University of Northwestern Ohio, University of Tennessee Southern, Wesleyan College (GA), and William Penn University (IA).

The NAIA will have its first Invitational Tournament in the spring of 2026, after voting to move flag football from emerging to invitational status earlier this year. Flag football is well on its way to achieving championship sport status in the NAIA, which requires at least 30 varsity teams, completion of two invitations, and approval by the NAIA's National Administrative Council (NAC). If everything stays on track, flag football is likely to have its first Championship season in the 2027-28 academic year.