McPherson College Adding Women's Flag Football

McPherson College (KS) is the latest NAIA school to add a women's flag football team. McPherson will begin competing in the 2026-27 academic year as a member of the NAIA's Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).

The KCAC is expected to have as many as 11 members for the 2026 spring season, including Baker University (KS), Bethel College (KS), Cottey College (MO), Graceland University (IA), Hesston College (KS), Kansas Wesleyan University (KS), Midland University (NE), Ottawa University (KS), Southwestern College (KS), University of Saint Mary (KS), and William Woods University (MO).

Beyond the 2026 spring campaign, the KCAC may have an additional three teams join in flag football, bringing the conference to 14 members. McPherson College and Oklahoma Wesleyan University are already members of the KCAC and are adding flag football for the 2026-27 academic year. The College of Saint Mary (NE) is also adding the sport for 2026-27 and plans to apply for affiliate membership with the KCAC.

Other NAIA institutions that plan to offer flag football in 2026-27 include Defiance College (OH), Lourdes University (OH), the University of Northwestern Ohio, and Savannah College of Art and Design (GA).

The NAIA started the growth of college flag football by adding it as an emerging sport in 2021. This past July, the NAIA made flag football an invitational sport, effective with the 2025-26 academic year. The 2026 tournament is now a qualification-based invitational tournament. There's also a new conference for the NAIA: the Great Southwest Athletic Conference will begin competing during the 2026 spring season.