Mount Union Adding Varsity Flag Football Team

The University of Mount Union (OH) will add a varsity women's flag football team beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. Mount Union will begin the search for a coach in the coming weeks. Athletic director Mike Parnell had this to say:

"We are very excited to be part of flag football's continued growth across the country. With only seven other institutions in Ohio announcing varsity-level competition, adding flag football further positions Mount Union as one of Ohio's best universities for student-athletes."

Mount Union is one of three schools in the NCAA Division III Ohio Athletic Conference to add a flag football team. Baldwin Wallace University (OH) announced a varsity program in December 2025 and will also begin competing in the 2026-27 academic year. Heidelberg University (OH) announced a club team for the 2025-26 academic year and aims to elevate it to varsity status in spring 2027.

A total of 11 schools in Ohio offer flag football at the club or varsity level. In addition to the three Ohio Athletic schools, Bowling Green (NCAA D-I Club), Defiance College (NAIA), Franciscan University (D-III Club), Hocking College (NJCAA), Lourdes University (NAIA), University of Northwestern Ohio (NAIA), Ursuline College (D-II), and Wittenberg University (D-III) have flag football programs.

Mount Union is one of 30 NCAA Division III schools to announce a future flag football program. That number is expected to rise after the NCAA added flag football to the Emerging Sports for Women program in January. Over 75 schools across all collegiate governing bodies will add the sport in the next few years.