ALLIANCE, Ohio — The University of Mount Union is pleased to announce the addition of varsity women's flag football as its 26th intercollegiate sport, beginning in the spring of 2027. The University's addition of flag football builds off its established tradition as one of the most decorated football programs in Division III. 

"We are very excited to be part of flag football's continued growth across the country," said Mike Parnell, athletic director at Mount Union. "With only seven other institutions in Ohio announcing varsity-level competition, adding flag football further positions Mount Union as one of Ohio's best universities for student-athletes."

Growing Popularity
Women's flag football has had a meteoric rise in Ohio. According to the Cleveland Browns Girls High School Flag Football program, only six high schools in the state had flag football teams in 2021. In the five years since, with support from the Browns, the sport has grown to an impressive 121 schools in Northeast Ohio before the season kicks off in March.
The same interest is found at the collegiate level, with the NCAA citing flag football as one of its four Emerging Sports for Women in January. Although NAIA teams only began competition in 2021, there are now more than 200 club and varsity programs across the country at all levels. After flag football's addition to the 2028 Olympics, interest in the sport is expected to continue to grow, with more than 500,000 estimated female players nationwide.

The Hub of Flag Football
With the involvement of the NFL in flag football's expansion, the Pro Football Hall of Fame—located less than 20 miles from Mount Union's campus—has been a central presence for the sport. While hosting approximately 3,000 players at the 2025 NFL Flag Championships at the Hall of Fame, it was announced that the first Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) flag football state championships would be held in May of 2026.

Mount Union will soon begin a coaching search to recruit student-athletes for the fall 2026 academic year. To learn more about women's flag football at Mount Union, visit mountunion.edu/womens-flag-footballor email athletics@mountunion.edu.