07/18/2025 Fulton, MO – The Westminster College Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is thrilled to announce the addition of women's flag football to its growing lineup of varsity sports, with the inaugural season set to kick off in the spring of 2027. This marks the 20^th varsity sport offered at Westminster College.

Women's Flag Football is quickly gaining momentum across the nation and around the world, recently earning a spot in the 2028 Summer Olympic Games.

As one of the fastest-growing sports across the country, flag football is helping break barriers and create new athletic opportunities for women. According to the National Flag Football organization, over 40% of youth flag football players in the United States are female, reflecting the sport's rapid rise and growing inclusivity.

Although women's flag football has occupied the NAIA space for several years, the NCAA has begun to show interest through the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics in adopting it as an emerging sport. This would enable Women's Flag Football to achieve championship status as early as the 2030s.

Derek Zander, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services, said, "The addition of women's flag football reflects Westminster's commitment to expanding opportunities for our students and directly supports the overall enrollment strategy for the College. I look forward to watching our women's flag football program develop under the leadership of Dr. Jessica Brown."

Brown, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, added she is pleased to see women's flag football added to women's sports at Westminster, particularly with respect to Title IX, which continues to be an evolving conversation in NCAA DIII sports.

" We are excited to welcome women's flag football as new a Blue Jays sport at Westminster College. Doing so offers another important opportunity for women to participate in sports at the collegiate level while further demonstrating the College's commitment to Title IX. "

This announcement aligns with Westminster's strategic plan to expand the scope and impact of the College's athletics programs. A national search for a full-time Head Women's Flag Football Coach will begin immediately.

The selected coach will have the 2025-2026 academic year to build the program, recruit quality student-athletes and lay the foundation for a successful inaugural season in the spring of 2027.
 
For more information about the Women's Flag Football program or to inquire about the head coaching position, please contact the Westminster Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at (573) 592-5462.