Welcome to the April 20 edition of the women's college flag football newsletter here at Collegiate Flag Football. We will look at the various stories and happenings across the sport over the last week, between Monday, April 13, and Sunday, April 19, 2026. Have a suggestion or want to include something in the weekly newsletter? Drop us an email!

2026 Fiesta Flag Football Classic Won by UCF

This week's newsletter kicks off with the 2026 Fiesta Flag Football Classic recap. The University of Central Florida took home the title by defeating the University of Florida in the championship game 19-7. The full recap can be found here. It was a fantastic event, and I will have more thoughts (plus feedback) later this week.

2 Additions This Week

Avila University (MO) will add a varsity women's flag football team beginning with the 2026-27 academic year and compete in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).

Eastern Michigan University will add a varsity women's flag football team beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. EMU is the 18th NCAA Division I school to add a varsity program and the first varsity team from the D-I Mid-American Conference.

2026 Season News

There was no weekly recap on Sunday, April 19, as Collegiate Flag Football was in Tempe, Arizona, covering the inaugural Fiesta Bowl Flag Football Classic. There were three conference champions this weekend across the NCAA and NAIA.

In the NCAA, the inaugural Division II Conference Carolinas tournament was won by Wingate University (NC). Top-seeded Wingate defeated second-seeded Ferrum (VA) 32-14.

St. Joseph's University Long Island (NY) claimed the NCAA Division III Skyline Conference Championship. The Golden Eagles captured the one-day event on Friday, April 17, by defeating SUNY Old Westbury (NY) 38-13 in the semifinals and St. Joseph's Brooklyn (NY) 32-12 in the final.

The first bid to the NAIA Invitational was handed out on Friday, April 17. Hope International University (CA) held on to defeat La Sierra University (CA) 13-7 in the Great Southwest Athletic Conference (GSAC) title game. HIU will compete in next month's invitational as one of the four NAIA automatic qualifiers.

Six independent NAIA teams from four conferences will compete for an automatic qualifier to the NAIA Invitational this week. Campbellsville University (KY), Cumberland University (TN), Lindsey Wilson University (KY), Milligan University (TN), Siena Heights University (MI), and the University of Saint Francis (IN) will meet in Columbus, Indiana, on Thursday, April 23, and Friday, April 24, to decide the non-GSAC/KCAC/Sun AQ bid.

The NCAA D-III Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) announced it will hold a flag football tournament for the 2026 spring season. Marian University (WI) will host the event on Saturday, April 25, and compete alongside Aurora University (IL), Benedictine University (IL), and Rockford University (IL).

Coaching News

Coaching Opportunities

NEW THIS WEEK: Atlantis University (FL) named Destiny Walters as the program's inaugural flag football head coach. Turner is also the linebackers coach for the men's tackle team. Avila will play its first season in the 2026-27 academic year.

NEW THIS WEEK: Avila University (MO) named Don Turner as the program's inaugural flag football head coach. Turner is also the linebackers coach for the men's tackle team. Avila will play its first season in the 2026-27 academic year.

Binghamton University (NY) posted the job description for the women's flag football head coaching position. Binghamton will begin competing in the 2026-27 academic year.

Campbellsville University (KY) is seeking a graduate assistant for the 2026-27 academic year. Those interested should contact head coach Spencer McCown at psmccown@campbellsville.edu.

Central Community College (NE) posted a job description for the women's flag football head coaching position. CCC hopes to begin competing as soon as the 2026-27 academic year.

East Texas Baptist University is seeking a graduate assistant. Those interested should send their resume and a statement of faith to head coach Maddie Melton at mmelton@etbu.edu. ETBU will begin competing in the 2026-27 academic year.

Elizabethtown College (PA) posted the application form for the women's flag football head coaching vacancy. Elizabethtown will begin competing during the 2027-28 academic year.

Fairleigh Dickinson University (NJ) posted an opening for a graduate assistant position. Those interested should contact head coach Steve Arnold via social media or send an email to fduflagfootball@gmail.com. FDU will play its first varsity season in the 2026-27 academic year.

Gardner-Webb University (NC) posted the job description for the women's flag football head coaching position. GWU announced the addition of flag football in mid-February.

Graceland University (IA) posted the job description for the women's flag football head coaching vacancy. Previous head coach Aaron Richardson is leaving to take the same position at Lewis University (IL).

The Guimond Vukovic Group (GVG) is offering postgraduate opportunities for athletes seeking a one-year master's degree in the United Kingdom. Scholarship opportunities are available for students with a GPA of 2.8 or higher. Athletes who wish to continue playing collegiate flag football, develop programs, build the sport internationally, or pursue coaching opportunities are encouraged to apply. GVG offers a free service to connect student-athletes with partner institutions in the U.K. The FAQ section on GVG's website provides additional information. This postgraduate opportunity is in the United Kingdom.

Harrisburg Area Community College (PA) posted a job description for the women's flag football head coaching vacancy. HACC competes in the NJCAA.

NEW THIS WEEK: Hastings College (NE) is seeking a volunteer assistant coach for the 2026-27 academic year. Those interested should send a resume to head coach De'Andre Robinson at deandre.robinson@hastings.edu.

NEW THIS WEEK: High Point University (NC) named Jeremy Andrews as head coach of the women's flag football club team. Andrews previously worked on North Carolina Central's men's football team coaching staff from 2021 through 2025. High Point will play its first club season during the 2026-27 academic year.

Howard Payne University (TX) posted the job description for the women's flag football coaching vacancy. HPU will begin competing during the 2026-27 academic year.

Knox College (IL) posted the job description for the women's flag football head coaching position. Knox will begin competing in the 2026-27 academic year.

Murray State College (OK) is seeking a head coach for its men's club team and women's varsity program. Both teams will begin competing in the 2026-27 academic year. Those interested should send a letter of application, resume, unofficial transcripts, employment application, and background consent form to the human resource office at mscemployment@mscok.edu.

Newberry College (SC) posted an opening for a graduate assistant position. Newberry's flag football program will join the NCAA Division II Conference Carolinas beginning with the 2026-27 academic year.

NEW THIS WEEK: North Central Missouri College head coach Aulden Knight II resigned from the head coaching position. 2026 was the first season for the program, which finished 3-8 overall as a member of the NJCAA.

Olivet Nazarene University (IL) posted the job description for an assistant women's flag football coaching vacancy. ONU will begin competing in the 2026-27 academic year.

NEW THIS WEEK: Our Lady of the Lake University (TX) has selected Chris Seay as the flag football program's inaugural head coach. OLLU will begin playing in the 2026-27 academic year.

NEW THIS WEEK: Reinhardt University (GA) named Emerson Joseph as the flag football program's next head coach. Joseph was the defensive coordinator at Life University (GA) for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Joseph will take over for Keon McGhee, who was named interim head coach for the 2026 spring season in February. Reinhardt went 6-13 overall and 0-8 in the Sun Conference this year.

Saint Xavier University (IL) posted a job description for a flag football head coaching vacancy. SXU will begin competing in the 2026-27 academic year.

SCAD Savannah (GA) posted the job description for an assistant coach on the women's flag football staff. SCAD will begin competing in the 2026-27 academic year and named Cristian Orth as head coach in November 2025.

Slippery Rock University (PA) posted a job description for the women's flag football head coaching position. SRU plans to compete at the varsity level beginning with the 2027-28 academic year.

Southwestern College (KS) posted the job description for the women's flag football head coaching vacancy.

Trenholm State Community College (AL) posted the job description for a women's flag football coaching vacancy. TSCC has not officially announced the start of a flag football program.

United States Sports University (AL) posted the job description for a women's flag football head coaching vacancy. USSU hasn't officially announced a flag football program.

The University of Arizona is seeking a head coach for its women's flag football club team. Those interested can fill out the interest form here.

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth posted the job description for a women's flag football head coaching vacancy. UMass Dartmouth hasn't officially announced a flag football program.

The University of West Alabama posted a job description for the women's flag football head coaching position. West Alabama will begin competing in the 2026-27 academic year.

NEW THIS WEEK: The University of Wisconsin-Stout named LaVoise-Deontae McCoy as the new women's flag football head coach. McCoy played linebacker at Illinois State for four seasons and will also be the defensive backs coach for the men's tackle football team.

William Penn University (IA) posted the job description for the women's flag football head coaching position. WPU will begin competing in the 2026-27 academic year.

William Woods University (MO) is seeking a graduate assistant for the 2026-27 academic year.

Future Camps and Clinics

Newsletter email note: An interactive calendar listing all dates and hosts is located at the top of this section on the website. Due to HTML limitations in email, I am unable to include the calendar in the weekly rundown. A direct link is provided here. The camps and clinics are listed in chronological order, from the earliest to the latest date. The listed times are specific to that school's time zone.

Cal Lutheran University (CA) will host a girls flag football prospect camp on Saturday, April 25. The camp will include a campus tour at 9 AM, followed by the camp from 10 AM to 12 PM. The camp is open to athletes ages 11 to 17 and will take place on the campus's North Field in Thousand Oaks, California.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will host an NFL FLAG Spring Super Regional on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Montour Sports Center in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. The registration deadline is Monday, March 23, 2026.

The Atlanta Falcons will host an NFL FLAG Spring Regional on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Franklin Gateway in Marietta, Georgia. The registration deadline is Monday, March 30, 2026.

The Los Angeles Rams will host an NFL FLAG Spring Regional on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Edison High School in Huntington Beach, California. The registration deadline is Monday, March 30, 2026.

The NCFFL will host a national flag football scouting combine on the weekend of Saturday, May 2, 2026, and Sunday, May 3, 2026. The camp will take place in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, and is open to high school girls in grades 9 through 12. The camp coincides with the NCFFL's Nationals tournament the same weekend.

The Denver Broncos will host an NFL FLAG Spring Regional on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Aurora Sports Park in Aurora, Colorado. The registration deadline is Monday, April 6, 2026.

The Los Angeles Rams will host an adult Talent ID Camp on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Long Beach, California. The camp will run from 9 AM to 5 PM. The registration deadline is Friday, May 1, 2026.

The Minnesota Vikings will host an NFL FLAG Spring Regional on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at The Ponds Athletic Complex in Prior Lake, Minnesota. The registration deadline is Monday, April 6, 2026.

The Philadelphia Eagles will host an NFL FLAG Spring Regional on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at United Sports in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. The registration deadline is Monday, April 6, 2026.

NEW THIS WEEK: Washington College (MD) and the Baltimore Ravens will host a girls flag football clinic on Saturday, May 9th, from 8:30 to 11:30 AM. The clinic is open to ages 12 through 18 and will be held on campus at Kibler Field at Roy Kirby Stadium in Chestertown, Maryland.

NEW THIS WEEK: Point Park University (PA) will host a women's flag football prospect camp on Sunday, May 17, from 11 AM to 1:30 PM at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The camp is open to athletes in grades 9 through 12. Those interested in attending can register here.

UPDATED THIS WEEK: Eureka College (IL) will host a girls flag football clinic on Friday, June 5, from 11 AM to 1 PM. The clinic will be held in coordination with the Chicago Bears on campus in Eureka, Illinois.

The Green Bay Packers will host an NFL FLAG Spring Regional on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at the Don Hutson Center & Ray Nitschke Field in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. The registration deadline is Monday, April 27, 2026.

The New York Giants will host an NFL FLAG Spring Regional on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at West Orange High School in West Orange, New Jersey. The registration deadline is Monday, April 27, 2026.

She Plays (AZ) is hosting a girls flag football college showcase and combine on Sunday, May 31, 2026. The showcase will be held from 9 AM to 12 PM in Chandler, Arizona. Arizona Christian University, Benedictine University at Mesa (AZ), Chowan University (NC), Grossmont College (CA), Lourdes University (OH), Mars Hill University (NC), Meredith College (NC), North Park University (IL), SCAD Savannah (GA), University of Arizona, University of Northwestern Ohio, and University of Redlands (CA) are expected to be in attendance.

Calhoun Community College (AL) is hosting a pair of flag football camps at the start of June. On Monday, June 1, a camp will be held from 9 AM to 12 PM for students in grades 3 through 8. On Tuesday, June 2, a camp will be held from 9 AM to 3 PM for 9th through 12th graders.

Nike is hosting a girls flag football camp in Atlanta, Georgia, from Monday, June 1, through Friday, June 5. The camp is open to ages 8 through 18 and will be held at the Lovett School in Atlanta.

Nike is hosting a coed flag football camp in Rockford, Illinois, from Wednesday, June 3, through Friday, June 5. The camp is open to ages 7 through 14, and will be held at Clarence Hicks Memorial Sports Park in Rockford. Illinois College head coach Mark Grounds will be one of the camp coaches.

The Cleveland Browns will host an NFL FLAG Spring Regional on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Euclid High School in Euclid, Ohio. The registration deadline is Monday, May 4, 2026.

NEW THIS WEEK: Marian University (WI) will host a girls flag football camp on Saturday, June 6, from 2 to 4:30 PM. The camp will be held on campus in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and is open to grades 9 through 12 as of fall 2026.

The Seattle Seahawks will host an NFL FLAG Spring Regional on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Kasch Park in Everett, Washington. The registration deadline is Monday, May 4, 2026.

NEW THIS WEEK: The University of North Alabama will host a flag football camp on Saturday, June 6, from 9 AM to 11:30 AM, at Buccaneer Stadium in Hoover, Alabama. The camp is open to athletes in grades 9 through 12.

NEW THIS WEEK: Blackburn College (IL) will host a women's flag football prospect clinic on Saturday, June 13, from 9 AM to 12 PM. The clinic is open to athletes ages 14 through 18 and will be held on campus at the Blackburn Athletic Center in Carlinville, Illinois

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh will host The Titan College Showcase on Saturday, June 13, 2026. A campus tour will take place from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, followed by the camp from 12 to 4:30 PM. The camp will take place at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

NEW THIS WEEK: Holy Family University (PA) will host a girls flag football youth skills and talent ID camp on Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21. The camp will take place from 9 AM to 2 PM both days and is open to students in grades 6 through 12. The camp will take place on campus at Tiger Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The College of Saint Benedict (MN) will host a flag football prospect camp from Monday, June 22, through Wednesday, June 24. The camp will be held from 9 to 11 AM daily and is open to 9th through 12th-grade students. The camp will be held at CSB's Turf Field in St. Joseph, Minnesota.

Millersville University (PA) will host its 2nd annual girls flag football camp from Wednesday, June 24, through Sunday, June 28, 2026. The camp will feature two-a-day practices, film review, evaluations, guest speakers, and strength and conditioning.

NEW THIS WEEK: The University of North Alabama will host a flag football camp on Wednesday, June 24, from 9 AM to 11:30 AM, at Wetumpka Sportsplex in Wetumpka, Alabama. The camp is open to athletes in grades 9 through 12.

The University of South Florida will host a girls flag football camp in collaboration with Nike, from Wednesday, June 24, through Friday, June 26. The camp is open for ages 11 through 14 and will be held daily from 9 AM to 1 PM. The camp will be held at Fowler Field in Tampa, Florida.

NEW THIS WEEK: Hendrix College (AR) will host a girls flag football prospect camp on Friday, June 26. The camp is open to athletes in grades 9 through 12. Those interested can sign up here.

Missouri Valley College (MO) will host a girls flag football camp in collaboration with Nike, from Friday, June 26, through Sunday, June 28. The camp will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 PM on Friday, followed by 9 AM to 2 PM on Saturday and Sunday. The camp will be held in Marshall, Missouri.

Shelton State Community College (AL) is hosting a girls flag football showcase on Saturday, June 27, from 12 to 2 PM. The showcase is open to 9th graders through college freshmen and will be held on campus in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Mount Saint Mary College (NY) will host a girls flag football prospect day on Sunday, June 28, from 9 to 11 AM. The camp is open to high school players and will be held on campus in Newburgh, New York.

NEW THIS WEEK: The University of North Alabama will host a flag football camp on Friday, July 10, from 9:30 AM to 12 PM, on campus at Cox Creek Practice Field in Florence, Alabama. The camp is open to athletes in grades 9 through 12.

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh will host a Queens of the Gridiron Camp on Friday, July 10, 2026. The camp will take place from 11 AM to 1:30 PM at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh will host a She Plays Flag Camp on Saturday, July 11, 2026. The camp will take place from 11 AM to 1:30 PM at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh will host a No Flags Given Camp on Saturday, July 25, 2026. The camp will take place from 11 AM to 1:30 PM at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

Run For The Legacy (MD) will host a girls flag football tournament from Wednesday, July 15, through Saturday, July 18, in Baltimore, Maryland. College coaches from across the US will attend the event, which will also include a coaches' clinic. The registration deadline is Sunday, May 31.

Mercyhurst University (PA) will host a women's flag football prospect camp on Friday, July 25, from 1 to 4 PM. The camp is open to incoming high school freshmen through seniors, and will be held on campus at Saxon Stadium in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Mount Saint Mary College (NY) will host a girls youth flag camp half-days on Monday, August 3, Tuesday, August 4, and Wednesday, August 5. The half-day camps will run from 9 AM to 12 PM, are open to girls 9 to 13 years old, and will be held on campus in Newburgh, New York.

Mount Saint Mary College (NY) will host a second girls flag football prospect day on Saturday, August 8, from 9 to 11 AM. The camp is open to high school players and will be held on campus in Newburgh, New York.

The International Flag League (formerly USA Flag) will host its 2027 National Championships in Tampa, Florida, on MLK weekend in January 2027. The dates are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, January 13, 2027, through Sunday, January 17, 2027.

The International Flag League (formerly USA Flag) will host its 2027 World Championships in Los Angeles, California, from Thursday, July 8, 2027, through Sunday, July 11, 2027. A collegiate division will be competing for the first time at the 2027 championships.

Conference Carolinas 2026 Flag Football Awards

The NCAA Division II Conference Carolinas announced its All-Conference teams and season award winners. First and second team selections were announced. Barton (NC) landed 4 first team selections, followed by 3 apiece for King (TN) and Wingate (NC). Emmanuel (GA) had 2 selections, while Ferrum (VA), Lees-McRae (NC), Mount Olive (NC), and Mount St. Mary's (MD) each had 1. The second team selections were led by Emmanuel and Lees-McRae with 4, Wingate with 3, Ferrum and Barton with 2, and King and Mount Olive with 1 each. Chowan (NC) and Mars Hill (NC) did not have any first or second team selections.

Player of the Year - Payson Shreeve, Ferrum (VA)

Offensive Player of the Year - Sawyer Rigdon, Barton (NC)

Defensive Player of the Year - Evonne Bruestle, Wingate (NC)

Freshman of the Year - Alyssa Ramos, King (TN)

Coach of the Year - Joe Schlager, Wingate (NC)

GSAC 2026 Flag Football Awards

The NAIA's Great Southwest Athletic Conference also announced its All-Conference team and award winners. There is only one all-conference team made up of 17 players. Unsurprisingly, the regular season champions, Hope International (CA), had the most selections at 7. Simpson (CA) had 4 selections, La Sierra (CA) had 3 selections, Arizona Christian had 2, and Benedictine Mesa (AZ) had 1. Ottawa (AZ) did not have any all-conference selections.

Player of the Year - Madison Powell, Hope International (CA)

Offensive Player of the Year - Grace Galdamez, La Sierra (CA)

Defensive Player of the Year - Taylor Zalunardo, Simpson (CA)

Freshman of the Year - Grace Galdamez, La Sierra (CA)

Coach of the Year - Felipe Aguilar, Hope International (CA)

King's Alyssa Ramos Shares Backstory on Flag Football Path

King University (TN) freshman Alyssa Ramos spoke to the Johnson City Press about her flag football path. Ramos comes from a football family, with her dad coaching for about 15 years and her brothers playing tackle football. She also wanted to play tackle, but her parents wouldn't allow it, so she played powderpuff. When her high school added flag football in her senior year, she decided to take the field. It turned out to be a good call, as she was named the NCAA Division II Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year and made the Carolinas All-Conference first team this spring.

NAIA Approves Flag Football Legislation Changes

The NAIA's National Administrative Council (NAC) adopted new legislation for flag football, set to go into effect for the 2026-27 academic year. The following proposals were adopted:

• A maximum of 18 regular season contests with an additional two (2) scrimmages allowed. NAIA postseason tournaments will not count towards the maximum.
• Establish September 1 as the start of the fall practice season.
• Establish Thursday of the last full weekend in January as the first allowable competition date.
  • For 2027, this date would be Thursday, January 28.
  • For 2028, this date would be Thursday, January 27.
  • For 2029, this date would be Thursday, January 25.
• Athletes who compete in 20% of the season, or 5 games, will be charged with a season of eligibility.

The NAIA will also restructure its National Selection Committee. The new model will consist exclusively of trained athletics administrators and will remove coaches as voting members. Coaches will still be part of the Area Rating Committees (ARCs). The new standard will be the ARC + 3 Model and will publish regular in-season polls alongside ARC rating cycles. The changes will be implemented for the 2026-27 academic year.

Nevada State Joining NAIA, GSAC

Nevada State University is joining the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Great Southwest Athletic Conference (GSAC) beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. NSU went 13-0 in its inaugural campaign this spring, including a 9-0 record against future GSAC opponents. Nevada State will join Arizona Christian University, Benedictine University at Mesa (AZ), Hope International University (CA), La Sierra University (CA), Ottawa University (AZ), and Simpson University (CA) for the 2027 spring season.

NFL Flag Football Updates

It was a busy week for NFL flag football news. First, the NFL named Brian Flinn as Senior Vice President, Global Flag Football. Flinn will be in charge of the NFL's global flag football strategy, including overseeing the continued growth and development of the sport at the youth, high school, college, and professional levels. The NFL is hoping to launch its new professional flag football league in 2028 and recently selected TMRW Sports to operate the league.

The Arizona Cardinals announced the launch of the Junior Cardinals Flag Football League in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Arizona is the first NFL team to invest directly in a Canadian youth league. The first season is expected to have about 700 players competing in 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U, and 16U divisions.

The Baltimore Ravens continue to push flag football growth in nearby Baltimore and St. Mary's counties. The Ravens and Under Armour will provide grant funding and uniforms to bring more flag football to high schools in the Baltimore County Public Schools and St. Mary's County Public Schools in the 2026-27 school year. At least 27 schools will add flag football, bringing the total to 132 high schools. The Ravens also funded programs in Calvert County and Charles County Public Schools last year.

The Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans will co-host the first-ever Girls Flag Football Texas State Championship. The 2026 event will be held on Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, at DATCU Stadium on the campus of the University of North Texas.

Players of the Week

Note: This section will be updated after the newsletter is sent out, as conferences announce players of the week throughout the week. Be sure to check back for an updated list.

The NCAA Division III Atlantic East Conference named two Chestnut Hill (PA) athletes as its Players of the Week. On offense, Quarterback Raquelle Dandy was POTW for her 6 offensive touchdowns and 553 yards passing, rushing, and receiving. Caroline Croteau was named Defensive POTW for her 20 flag pulls, 5 interceptions, and 2 defensive touchdowns.

The NCAA D-III United East Conference named players from Gallaudet (D.C.) and Keystone (PA) as Players of the Week. On offense, Citrine Lummer took home her fourth straight weekly POTW award. Keystone's Tayana Bibbins won the Defensive POTW award for her 11 flag pulls and 3 interceptions.