Women's College Flag Football Program | APU Athletics
Source: https://www.apu.edu/media/news/release/apu-athletics-expands-with-womens-flag-football
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:36
Women's College Flag Football Program | APU Athletics
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Leading the Way: APU Athletics Expands with Women’s Flag Football for 2026-27
April 06, 2026 | Category Alumni, Parents
Related Links
APU Names Bo Beatty Head Coach of Women’s Flag Football
Azusa Pacific University announces the addition of women’s flag football to its
athletics portfolio
beginning 2026-27, fast‑tracking the sport’s introduction by one year. Women’s flag
football debuts as a club sport in 2026-27, with integration to full intercollegiate
competition in 2027-28.This strategic decision reflects APU’s commitment to expanding
competitive opportunities for female student‑athletes while taking advantage of the
impressive nationwide growth of women’s flag football at the collegiate and high‑school
levels.
Expanding Opportunities for Female Student-Athletes
“Adding women’s flag football underscores our dedication to creating meaningful athletic
pathways for young women,” said
President Adam J. Morris
, PhD. “As interest in the sport surges nationally, we are excited to be among the
universities leading this opportunity for student‑athletes to grow, compete, and thrive
in a Christ‑centered community.”
The Rapid Growth of Women’s College Flag Football
The fastest-growing youth sport among American women and girls, flag football has
been adopted by dozens of institutions as either a varsity or club-level program with
increasing momentum toward national championship competition as reflected by the NCAA’s
recent approval of flag football as an emerging sport during the association’s convention
in January. By accelerating its timeline, APU positions itself to recruit early, build
competitive foundations, and contribute to the sport’s development on the West Coast
just as the sport heads to its debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Building a Unified APU Football Ecosystem
Azusa Pacific aims to uniquely integrate its returning men’s football program with
the launch of women’s flag football by creating shared systems of support, streamlined
operations, and collaborative training environments. APU hopes to build a unified
football ecosystem that maximizes efficiency while honoring the distinct competitive
environments of each program. This coordinated approach will foster mentorship, cross‑program
learning, and a strong sense of community—positioning both teams to thrive as they
grow together.
“This addition of flag football strengthens our commitment to providing balanced,
holistic athletic experiences,” said Athletic Director Gary Pine. “We’re looking forward
to competing against our new conference members Cal Lutheran, Redlands, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps,
and Pomona-Pitzer, as well as other colleges and universities that are adding flag
football,” Pine added. “I expect the sport to be a spectator favorite on campuses
throughout California.”
The launch of women’s flag football expands APU’s long-standing tradition of excellence
in women’s athletics, contributing to a legacy that includes 48 national championships
and consistent top‑20 national finishes in the Learfield Directors’ Cup.
How to Join the APU Women’s Flag Football Team
Interested prospective student-athletes can email
[email protected]
for materials and further information about the program. Visit athletics.apu.edu
and follow
@apucougars
on Instagram and X, and
@azuspacificathletics
on Facebook for updates
.
Azusa Pacific University, one of the West Coast’s leading Christian higher education
institutions, equips students to become compassionate leaders who impact the world
for Christ. More than 330 student‑athletes compete across APU’s 19 intercollegiate
programs, which serve as a model of integrity, student impact, and competitive excellence.
Apply to APU, California’s Top Ranked Christian University
Apply Now
Request Information
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Azusa Pacific University will debut women’s flag football as a club sport during the
2026-27 academic year, with full integration into intercollegiate athletic competition
planned for the 2027-28 season.
APU will compete against other regional conference members and colleges adding the
sport, including Cal Lutheran, Redlands, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, and Pomona-Pitzer.
Interested prospective student-athletes can reach out to the athletics department
by emailing
[email protected]
to receive recruiting materials and further information about joining the team.
©
Home
>
Media Relations
>
APU News
>
News Releases
>
News Article
Leading the Way: APU Athletics Expands with Women’s Flag Football for 2026-27
April 06, 2026 | Category Alumni, Parents
Related Links
APU Names Bo Beatty Head Coach of Women’s Flag Football
Azusa Pacific University announces the addition of women’s flag football to its
athletics portfolio
beginning 2026-27, fast‑tracking the sport’s introduction by one year. Women’s flag
football debuts as a club sport in 2026-27, with integration to full intercollegiate
competition in 2027-28.This strategic decision reflects APU’s commitment to expanding
competitive opportunities for female student‑athletes while taking advantage of the
impressive nationwide growth of women’s flag football at the collegiate and high‑school
levels.
Expanding Opportunities for Female Student-Athletes
“Adding women’s flag football underscores our dedication to creating meaningful athletic
pathways for young women,” said
President Adam J. Morris
, PhD. “As interest in the sport surges nationally, we are excited to be among the
universities leading this opportunity for student‑athletes to grow, compete, and thrive
in a Christ‑centered community.”
The Rapid Growth of Women’s College Flag Football
The fastest-growing youth sport among American women and girls, flag football has
been adopted by dozens of institutions as either a varsity or club-level program with
increasing momentum toward national championship competition as reflected by the NCAA’s
recent approval of flag football as an emerging sport during the association’s convention
in January. By accelerating its timeline, APU positions itself to recruit early, build
competitive foundations, and contribute to the sport’s development on the West Coast
just as the sport heads to its debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Building a Unified APU Football Ecosystem
Azusa Pacific aims to uniquely integrate its returning men’s football program with
the launch of women’s flag football by creating shared systems of support, streamlined
operations, and collaborative training environments. APU hopes to build a unified
football ecosystem that maximizes efficiency while honoring the distinct competitive
environments of each program. This coordinated approach will foster mentorship, cross‑program
learning, and a strong sense of community—positioning both teams to thrive as they
grow together.
“This addition of flag football strengthens our commitment to providing balanced,
holistic athletic experiences,” said Athletic Director Gary Pine. “We’re looking forward
to competing against our new conference members Cal Lutheran, Redlands, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps,
and Pomona-Pitzer, as well as other colleges and universities that are adding flag
football,” Pine added. “I expect the sport to be a spectator favorite on campuses
throughout California.”
The launch of women’s flag football expands APU’s long-standing tradition of excellence
in women’s athletics, contributing to a legacy that includes 48 national championships
and consistent top‑20 national finishes in the Learfield Directors’ Cup.
How to Join the APU Women’s Flag Football Team
Interested prospective student-athletes can email
[email protected]
for materials and further information about the program. Visit athletics.apu.edu
and follow
@apucougars
on Instagram and X, and
@azuspacificathletics
on Facebook for updates
.
Azusa Pacific University, one of the West Coast’s leading Christian higher education
institutions, equips students to become compassionate leaders who impact the world
for Christ. More than 330 student‑athletes compete across APU’s 19 intercollegiate
programs, which serve as a model of integrity, student impact, and competitive excellence.
Apply to APU, California’s Top Ranked Christian University
Apply Now
Request Information
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Azusa Pacific University will debut women’s flag football as a club sport during the
2026-27 academic year, with full integration into intercollegiate athletic competition
planned for the 2027-28 season.
APU will compete against other regional conference members and colleges adding the
sport, including Cal Lutheran, Redlands, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, and Pomona-Pitzer.
Interested prospective student-athletes can reach out to the athletics department
by emailing
[email protected]
to receive recruiting materials and further information about joining the team.
©