SPARKILL, NY — St. Thomas Aquinas College is proud to announce the launch of its new Women’s Flag Football program, set to begin in Fall 2025. Flag Football, one of the fastest-growing sports, will be featured in the 2028 Olympics. The National Football League (NFL) is a major supporter of nearly 2,000 NFL FLAG leagues nationwide, and this dynamic sport has seen a remarkable 63% increase in participation among young women since pre-COVID levels, with over 500,000 now playing before college.
“We are thrilled to introduce Women’s Flag Football to our athletic offerings,” said Nicole Ryan, Athletics Director at St. Thomas Aquinas College. “This initiative not only aligns with our strategic mission of developing students inside and outside the classroom, but also places us at the forefront of a rapidly growing sport. We look forward to seeing our students thrive on and off the field as they embody the spirit and strategy of flag football.”
Flag Football, a non-contact sport that combines the strategy and excitement of traditional football with a fast-paced, dynamic twist, is played with seven players on each side on a 70-yard field. Every drive counts in this thrilling sport, which emphasizes agility, strategy, and teamwork without the need for bulky equipment.
ECC Commissioner, Jessica Grasso, notes: “This is an exciting opportunity for St. Thomas Aquinas College to start a Women’s Flag Football program. Women’s Flag Football is an emerging sport and growing rapidly in the NCAA, so this is perfect timing for St. Thomas Aquinas College to bring to their campus to provide more opportunities for females to participate in athletics. The East Coast Conference membership is interested in cultivating this sport, so St. Thomas Aquinas College will be a leader and resource for the membership to potentially build upon.”
The St. Thomas Aquinas College Department of Athletics features 22 NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Athletic Programs and a variety of Club Sports, including Sprint Football, Ice Hockey, Cheer & Dance, Esports, and now, Women’s Flag Football. The College’s approximately 450 student-athletes live by the motto “Making Success A Habit,” whether inside the classroom, within the community, or on the athletic field or court, as evidenced by the program’s multiple Conference & NCAA postseason appearances and championships, Academic Success Rate honors, and Community Service awards.
For more information about STAC Athletics and the new Women’s Flag Football program, please contact STAC Athletics here.