North Alabama Expands Athletics with Flag Football and Track Programs
The University of North Alabama (UNA) is gearing up to grow its athletic department.
They’re adding women’s flag football and turning their men’s and women’s cross country programs into full indoor and outdoor track teams.
This expansion kicks off in the 2026-27 academic year.
With these changes, UNA will offer 19 athletic programs in total.
It’s a big step for UNA, pushing the university forward in emerging sports and opening up fresh chances for student-athletes.
Expanding Athletic Horizons at UNA
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UNA’s making a strategic move here—they’ll launch women’s flag football and broaden cross country into full track teams, both indoor and outdoor.
They want to use what they already have while giving more student-athletes a shot to compete.
Adding these programs bumps up the number of sports at UNA and fits with how the university’s grown since moving to NCAA Division I in 2018.
Women’s Flag Football: A New Frontier
Women’s flag football just got an NCAA emerging sport recommendation, which makes sense given how quickly it’s catching on in Alabama and the Southeast.
By bringing in this sport, UNA joins Alabama State as the only other Division I school in Alabama to offer women’s flag football.
The Lions are among the first six schools to announce this at the Division I level, along with UT Arlington, Mount St. Mary’s, LIU, and Mercyhurst.
Right now, more than 130 Alabama high schools sponsor women’s flag football, and it’s even part of the AHSAA Super Seven State Football Championships.
Nearby states like Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee have their own sanctioned high school state championships too.
It’s wild to think that flag football’s set to debut at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Enhancing Cross Country with Indoor and Outdoor Track
UNA plans to grow its men’s and women’s cross country programs into distance-based indoor and outdoor track teams.
This will open up four new opportunities for student-athletes.
They’ll start with distance runners and build from the current cross country teams.
UNA expects the track program to give over 40 student-athletes a chance to compete at the Division I level, which could really change the shape of their athletics.
Facilities and Infrastructure
The Cox Creek Sports Complex, built in Fall 2024, will be home base for both the new women’s flag football and the expanded track programs.
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It’s got a multipurpose turf field, part of the Bank Independent Stadium project, and the Hulet and Jacqueline Gregory Track will go in around the field in Spring 2025.
There’s plenty of space for future upgrades, including field and throwing events.
UNA’s making sure its teams have the setup they need to compete and grow.
Leadership and Vision
Strong leadership is driving UNA’s athletic expansion.
President Dr. Ken Kitts points out that this growth fits right in with the university’s rising enrollment and graduation rates.
Dr. Josh Looney, UNA’s Director of Athletics, credits the community’s investment in facilities as a key reason for this move.
He sees UNA as being right at the edge of what’s next in college sports.
Coaching and Program Development
Connor Callahan, the current cross country coach, will take on the new track programs too.
He’s excited about the impact this will have on the team and the whole department.
UNA will launch a national search for the first women’s flag football head coach this fall.
They’re looking to bring in someone who can really get this new program off the ground.
National and Regional Impact
UNA’s additions echo what’s happening across college sports.
Since 2016, a lot more NCAA Division I schools have started sponsoring women’s indoor and outdoor track & field, making it a top sport for women nationwide.
Flag football’s rapid growth at both the high school and college levels shows there’s real momentum behind it.
Community and Collegiate Engagement
The local community and nearby schools are backing UNA’s push to expand its athletic programs.
Eight Alabama community colleges now have women’s flag football, including one at Northwest Shoals Community College, which uses the Cox Creek Sports Complex for home games.
This kind of regional support shows how much people want to see these emerging sports succeed.
Looking Ahead
UNA is getting ready to launch new athletic programs. The university looks set to shake up the collegiate sports scene in a big way.
Women’s flag football is coming, and the track programs are expanding. These changes will open up fresh opportunities for student-athletes and broaden what UNA athletics can offer.
Honestly, it feels like UNA’s aiming to become a leader in some of these emerging sports. There’s a lot of support from the community, and you can sense the excitement building.
If you want more details or just want to keep tabs on what’s next, check out the official announcement.