Greenville, Murray State College Adding Flag Football
Greenville University (IL) is adding varsity women's flag football beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. The school announced that Marq Pannell will be the head coach. Pannell had this to say on his hiring and launch of the program:
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to build something special at Greenville University. From the moment we connected, it was clear this is more than just the start of a women's flag football program. It's a place that truly feels like home. As a husband and father of two daughters, this mission is deeply personal. I'm committed to pouring into our student-athletes, not just as players, but as young women growing in confidence, character, and purpose. We're going to build a program that is competitive, disciplined, and rooted in strong values, while laying the foundation for long-term success and impact."
Greenville is the fourth member of the NCAA Division III St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) to add a team. Blackburn College (IL), Eureka College (IL), and Westminster College (MO) are all set to begin competing in the 2026-27 academic year.
The Panthers become the 18th school in Illinois to add a club or varsity team. 11 of those 18 teams are NCAA D-III programs. Blackburn, Eureka, and Westminster join Aurora University, Benedictine University, Illinois College, Illinois Wesleyan University, Knox College (club), Millikin University, North Park University, and Rockford University.
NJCAA's Murray State Adding Varsity Teams
Murray State College in Oklahoma is adding flag football programs beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. In an email to Collegiate Flag Football, the school confirmed it would add a women's varsity team and a men's club team. MSC is currently conducting a head coaching search for both programs. MSC president, Dr. Tim Faltyn, stated:
“We’re making a significant investment in facilities of our own that will give flag football a permanent home in Ardmore while serving our students and the broader community. Flag football opens new doors for students to engage, compete and grow, and creates an opportunity for further investment in Ardmore.
We are confident in the program’s future trajectory based on Murray State’s history of successfully launching new athletic programs that have quickly earned regional and national recognition. That proven model of strategic planning and comprehensive student-athlete support provides a strong foundation as flag football prepares to take the field in the years ahead.”
Murray State College is the first junior college team in Oklahoma, and is only the third club or varsity flag football program in the state. Oklahoma Wesleyan University is adding a varsity team and will begin competing in the NAIA during the 2026-27 academic year. The University of Oklahoma (NCAA Division I) offers a student-run club team.
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), which is set to have over 30 programs next season. Alexandria Technical and Community College (MN), Camden County College (NJ), Jackson State Community College (TN), Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland (NJ), and Richard Bland College (VA) previously announced that new programs will begin in the 2026-27 academic year. Central Community College (NE) hopes to join that list as soon as the 2027 spring season.