As the MEAC prepares for the conference’s inaugural women’s flag football season, two more programs will join the party.
SWAC member Mississippi Valley State and Big South member Gardner-Webb were announced as associate members for women’s flag football Thursday afternoon.
To date, four full-member MEAC schools – Delaware State, Maryland Eastern Shore, Norfolk State and North Carolina Central – have committed to fielding a program for the 2026-27 season.
“We are excited to welcome Mississippi Valley State and Gardner-Webb to the MEAC as associate members in women’s flag football,” MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills said. “Their addition strengthens our presence in this emerging sport and reflects our continued commitment to expanding its championship opportunities for women. We look forward to establishing a competitive and collaborative flag football environment as the sport continues to take shape at the collegiate level.”
“Joining the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference as an associate member for women’s flag football is a historic milestone for Mississippi Valley State University,” Mississippi Valley State athletic director Alecia Shields-Gadson added. “We are thrilled to be at the forefront of this movement, providing our student-athletes a monumental stage to compete in an emerging sport that is capturing global attention ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games. We are honored to partner with the MEAC at building opportunities for the continued success of women in athletics.”
The conference announced the addition of women’s flag football and women’s golf as two new championship sports in June.
The MEAC stated that championship formats and other details will be announced at a later date.
