McPherson College Launches Women’s Flag Football Program in 2026

McPherson College sits in McPherson, Kansas, and it’s about to shake up its athletics lineup. The school’s adding women’s flag football as its 20th varsity sport, kicking off in the 2026-27 season.

It’s a move that gives student-athletes a shot at one of the fastest-growing college sports in the country. The college keeps leaning into expanding athletic options, especially for women who want to compete while earning their degree.

McPherson College’s Commitment to Women’s Sports

By adding women’s flag football, McPherson College shows it’s serious about gender equality in sports. Athletic Director Josh Daume sounds genuinely excited about the program, pointing out how quickly flag football’s catching on nationwide.

With this new team, the college hopes to boost its athletic program and bring more female student-athletes to campus. It’s a smart way to stand out and offer something fresh.

NAIA’s Approval and Growth of Women’s Flag Football

In July 2025, the NAIA’s National Administrative Council Executive Committee gave women’s flag football the green light as an invitational championship sport for the 2025-26 season. The sport was first recognized as emerging back in 2021.

This means the postseason will shift to a qualification-based invitational tournament, making things more competitive. Right now, 35 NAIA programs across the country plan to compete in 2025-26, and more are jumping in for 2026-27.

The numbers keep climbing—over 100 collegiate programs in the U.S. now offer flag football at different levels. There’s no shortage of opportunities for athletes who want to play.

Regional and National Impact

The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) is leading the way here. Five full-time members already compete in women’s flag football:

• Ottawa University
• Kansas Wesleyan
• Southwestern College
• University of Saint Mary
• Bethel College

Several per-sport members join in too, including Baker University, William Woods University, Midland University, Graceland University, and Cottey College. Hesston College plans to join as a per-sport member in 2026-27, so the sport’s footprint in the region keeps growing.

Ottawa University’s Dominance

Ottawa University has built a dynasty in women’s flag football, winning five straight national championships. Their run sets the bar high and gives other schools something to chase.

With more colleges jumping in, the competition’s only going to get tougher. Fans should expect some pretty exciting matchups down the road.

High School and International Growth

Flag football isn’t just a college thing. Seventeen states have already sanctioned the sport for high schools, and another seventeen—including Kansas—have piloted it.

That’s a lot of young athletes getting involved. Clearly, the sport’s got wide appeal and real momentum.

On the world stage, flag football just hit a huge milestone. The International Olympic Committee approved it for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Seeing flag football in the Olympics? That’s bound to draw even more players and fans, both in the U.S. and abroad.

McPherson College’s Vision for the Future

Athletic Director Josh Daume says adding women’s flag football fits right into McPherson College’s bigger plan to grow both athletics and enrollment. The sport’s fast-paced and fun to watch, so it should appeal to students who love the game.

Daume also points out how quickly the sport’s growing at the high school level. The college wants to make sure these athletes have a smooth path to keep playing—and competing—at McPherson.

Looking Ahead: The Search for a Head Coach

McPherson College is gearing up for its very first season of women’s flag football. Right now, they’re on the hunt for a head coach who can really take the program somewhere special.

They’re casting a wide net with a national search to find someone experienced and genuinely passionate. If you’re interested, Director of Athletics Josh Daume is the person to reach out to for details.