Neumann University in Aston is joining Cabrini, Immaculata, Centenary, and Marymount Universities in offering varsity women’s flag football, writes Isabella DiAmore for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The five universities are part of the Atlantic East Conference which competes at the NCAA’s Division III level.

They are partnering with the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles, and RCX sports to make the program possible.

The idea of women’s flag football at the college level came about a year ago when Atlantic East Conference Commissioner Jessica Huntley read that girls were already competing in flag football in high school.

The collegiate women’s flag football is expected to start in the spring of 2025.

“Establishing women’s flag football has been a great honor for us, and I am so excited to provide this opportunity for female athletes around the country,” Huntley said. 

Neumann athletic director Chuck Sack said most universities are already offering coed intramural flag football. The sport is growing across the nation and especially in Pennsylvania, he said.

“That was really the No. 1 motivator to me — we have high school students right now who are enjoying this sport,” he said

Read more about this new NCAA program coming to Neumann and other Atlantic East Conference colleges in The Philadelphia Inquirer.