United East Conference Elevates Flag Football to Varsity Status

The NCAA Division III's United East Conference will sponsor varsity flag football beginning with the 2025-26 academic year. The first season will have five teams at the varsity level: Cairn University (PA), Cedar Crest College (PA), Gallaudet University (Washington, DC), Keystone College (PA), and Penn State Harrisburg (PA).

The UEC announced in October 2024 that it would sponsor flag football beginning in 2025-26. The conference noted in its October 2024 press release that it anticipated a varsity sponsorship and conference tournament occurring in spring 2026. Gallaudet won the unofficial UEC tournament during the spring 2025 season.

Noticeably absent from the list of varsity teams are Lancaster Bible College (PA), Penn College (PA), and Rosemont College (PA). Those three are likely to continue competing as club teams, but a transition to varsity is possible. In Rosemont's case, the college is merging with Villanova University (PA) and moving to a club sports model starting in the 2026-27 academic year.

The United East is one of five NCAA conference that will sponsor flag football for the 2025-26 academic year. The other four are the CIAA (NCAA Division II), Conference Carolinas (NCAA D-II), Atlantic East (NCAA D-III), and Empire 8 (NCAA D-III). The NAIA will have three conferences - the Great Southwest, Kansas Collegiate (KCAC), and Sun Conferences - while the NJCAA is slated to have the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) and the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC).