Women’s Flag Football Coming to William Penn

Oskaloosa--William Penn Athletics Director Grant Farris is excited to announce the addition of women's flag football to the list of intercollegiate sports the University offers.

The Statesmen will begin competition during the spring of 2027.  Once a head coach is hired, recruiting will commence immediately.  As is with all other sports on campus, athletic scholarships will be available.

"We are thrilled to add women's flag football to our growing lineup of intercollegiate programs," Farris said.  "This exciting addition represents another important step in our continued commitment to expanding opportunities for female student-athletes and strengthening the overall experience we offer at William Penn."

"Women's flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and the momentum surrounding it at the collegiate level is remarkable," Farris added.  "We are proud to be among the early adopters helping to grow the sport within the NAIA and to provide new pathways for competition, leadership, and personal development."

The women's flag football season runs from February through May.  WPU will compete at Statesmen Community Stadium.

"Our goal is to build a program that not only competes at a high level, but also embodies the values of teamwork, integrity, and community that define Statesmen Athletics," Farris said.  "We look forward to welcoming our first student-athletes and coaches as we establish a strong foundation for long-term success."

A total of 34 programs from within the NAIA sponsored women's flag football last year, including three from the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Baker, Graceland, and William Woods), all of whom currently compete in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Launched as an Emerging Sport by the NAIA in 2021, women's flag football has advanced to Invitational status for the 2026 campaign with teams now qualifying for the national tournament.

While not a sanctioned high school sport in Iowa, it has become popular throughout the country.  A total of 15 states sanction flag football, while 16 other states are also running pilot programs.

With the addition, William Penn will now offer a total of 27 intercollegiate sports, also including baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's bowling, cheerleading, men's and women's cross country, dance, Esports, football, men's and women's golf, men's lacrosse, shotgun sports, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's indoor track and field, men's and women's outdoor track and field, men's and women's volleyball, and men's and women's wrestling.

For more information on women's flag football and all Statesmen programs, visit William Penn's athletics website at www.statesmenathletics.com