Blackburn College is excited to announce the addition of Women’s Flag Football as its 18th varsity sport, with its inaugural season of competition set for Spring 2027. This move continues the College’s commitment to expanding athletic opportunities, especially for women, and marks an exciting step forward for Blackburn as the sport rapidly grows in popularity across the nation.
Women’s Flag Football is one of the fastest-growing sports at the collegiate level, with institutions across the country embracing the opportunity to provide a competitive, fast-paced, and accessible sport for female student-athletes. Blackburn is proud to be among the first NCAA Division III institutions in the state of Illinois to commit to this emerging sport.
“We are thrilled to bring Women’s Flag Football to Blackburn College,” said Athletic Director Kim Camara-Harvey. “This addition not only reflects the growth of the sport nationally, but also underscores our commitment to expanding women’s athletics on campus. We’re excited to provide another platform for female athletes to compete, grow, and represent Blackburn with pride. With one of the best facilities in the region for this sport we anticipate it will quickly find success.”
The NCAA has recently endorsed Women’s Flag Football as an emerging sport, with several SLIAC member institutions exploring its adoption in coming seasons. Blackburn’s decision to join this movement places the College at the forefront of athletic innovation within the conference.
Flag Football has seen a surge in support from governing bodies such as the NCAA and the NFL, which have partnered to promote and expand the sport at the collegiate level. With momentum building and increased interest among high school athletes, Blackburn anticipates strong recruiting potential and high enthusiasm for the team’s debut in 2027.
Blackburn College will begin recruiting student-athletes for the program immediately, with plans to hire a head coach in the near future. For more information about Blackburn College Athletics and Women’s Flag Football, please visit blackburnbeavers.com or contact Sports Information Director Allen Dehority at allen.dehority@blackburn.edu.