Allegheny College President Dr. Ron Cole ’87 and the Board of Trustees have approved the addition of women’s flag football as the Gators’ newest sport program.
The addition of women’s flag football aligns with Allegheny’s Strategic Pathway, focusing on creating a vibrant and inclusive campus by building community and school pride through athletics, recreation, arts, and wellness. It also demonstrates Allegheny’s commitment to expanding athletic opportunities for female student-athletes, consistent with its strategic goals.
Flag football will operate as a club team in 2025-26 in anticipation of transitioning to a varsity program ahead of the spring 2027 season. It increases the number of intercollegiate sports offerings at Allegheny to 24, marking the first sport addition for the Gators since field hockey and men’s lacrosse began competition during the 2019-20 academic year.
Adding women’s flag football to our athletics program is an incredibly exciting step forward for Allegheny College,” said Director of Athletics and Recreation Bill Ross. “It reflects our commitment to expanding opportunities, fostering inclusivity, and supporting the growing enthusiasm for this fast-paced, competitive sport. With flag football set to debut in the 2028 Olympics, there’s never been a better time to invest in its future and provide our student-athletes with a chance to be part of this global movement.
Nationally, flag football has experienced significant growth at the high school and collegiate levels. In February, the NCAA’s Committee on Women’s Athletics recommended that Divisions I, II, and III sponsor legislation to add women’s flag football to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program. One of the fastest-growing sports in the country, over 65 NCAA institutions are sponsoring club or varsity teams with dozens more expected to join in 2026.
In September 2024, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) officially sanctioned girls’ flag football at the high school level. Pennsylvania is one of 16 states currently sponsoring flag football, along with neighboring New York. Meanwhile, the number of high schools participating in Ohio’s pilot program doubled from 2024 to 2025. With an estimated 500,000 young women playing the sport before college, including 50 high schools in the Pittsburgh area, momentum is accelerating ahead of its debut at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Allegheny is proud to be one of the earlier adopters of this growing sport. In March, a group of students participated in a regional showcase hosted by the NFL and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Saint Vincent College. The Gators played two games in the tournament against two fellow Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) institutions, Bethany College and Franciscan University. This early commitment is a strong indicator that women’s flag football as a varsity sport will support recruitment and retention efforts in the coming years by providing competition at the highest level.
“As a founding member of the NCAA, Allegheny has a rich tradition of athletics as part of our student experience. I have no doubt our Gator women will excel in this new sport, upholding our tradition of student-athlete excellence,” said Allegheny College President Ron Cole.
A search for a head women’s flag football coach is currently underway.
Watch the girls flag football showcase game at St. Vincent with the Steelers here.
About Allegheny College
Allegheny College, founded in 1815, is one of the nation’s most historic and innovative four-year colleges. With the distinct requirement of completing a major and minor in different academic areas, students receive multidisciplinary learning that celebrates their unusual combinations of interests. This develops creative, independent thinkers with a path for educational depth and intellectual growth, preparing students for a successful launch after graduation and possibly for a future career that may not yet exist.
Located in northwestern Pennsylvania, 1.5 hours equidistant from Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Buffalo, Allegheny College is one of 40 colleges featured in Loren Pope’s “Colleges That Change Lives” and recently ranked #4 by The Princeton Review in its Top 20 Best Private Schools for Making an Impact.
In its 2025 rankings, U.S. News & World Report recognized Allegheny College as one of the country’s top 100 national liberal arts colleges, with special distinctions including one of the top 10 best for senior capstone experience and one of the top 25 best for undergraduate teaching, and research and creative activities.
Photo Credit: Alex Mowrey/Pittsburgh Steelers
