The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association is expanding its football reach.
The HBCU conference announced that it is launching women’s flag football at seven of its member institutions in 2025.
The universities participating in this groundbreaking initiative include:
Bluefield State University
Bowie State University
Claflin University
Fayetteville State University
Johnson C. Smith University
Virginia Union University
Winston-Salem State University
“We’re incredibly excited for the continued growth of the CIAA as we add women’s flag football to the many sports that our historic conference offers to our student-athletes,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams-Parker. “The opportunity to not only expand but giving young women the opportunity to be at the forefront of the expansion and provide another phenomenal competitive opportunity is one we’re proud to offer, and we look forward to seeing these ladies take the field and commence a new era. We’re also incredibly grateful for the NFL’s role in providing all the necessary assistance to help grow this sport throughout the nation at all levels.”
Women’s flag football will feature an average roster size of 25 players, with games played in a 7-on-7 format. Each contest will consist of four 12-minute quarters on an 80×40-yard field.
The growth of flag football has received significant backing from the NFL, which has utilized numerous NFL facilities and stadiums for competitions and clinics.
This past year alone, over 700,000 youth participated in NFL FLAG leagues, with nearly 500,000 of those athletes being female. Additionally, 13 states have now sanctioned girls’ flag football as a championship sport, a testament to the hard work of the NFL and RCX Sports, the official operator of NFL FLAG.
“The RCX Sports Foundation is proud to award a grant to the CIAA to help launch women’s flag football in spring 2025 as part of our mission of ‘Sports for All,'” said RCX Sports CEO Izell Reese. “This grant ensures that CIAA female student athletes have the opportunity to excel in a growing sport, fostering an inclusive environment where all athletes can thrive.”
Courtesy: CIAA
