Graceland Kicks Off Women's Flag Football Program
University becomes one of the first Iowa NAIA universities to add women's flag football as an emerging sport
Lamoni, IA (03/25/2022) — Women's flag football is taking the field as Graceland University's newest intercollegiate sport. Graceland becomes one of the first Iowa NAIA schools to offer this emerging sport. The NAIA added women's flag football as an emerging collegiate sport in spring 2021 with the support of the NFL and Reigning Champs Experiences. There are over 11,000 high school women's flag football programs in the United States and fifteen colleges/universities after just one year at the NAIA level.
"Developing the women's flag football program at Graceland is a testament to our commitment to the future. This sport will create new scholarship opportunities for women across the nation and I am excited to see where this program takes us," said President Patricia H. Draves.
Women's collegiate flag football fields seven players per team at a time on a football field 40 yards in width and 80 yards in length, similar to high school 8-person competitive football. Teams move offensively by either passing or running the football, while "tackling" is performed by pulling a flag from the belt of the ball carrier.
Graceland University Athletic Director Brady McKillip said, "Graceland athletics is excited expand its horizons and welcome a new competitive sport to our program. As with our other sports, we look forward to the high-quality character and caliber of athlete that this sport will bring to our university."
Founded in 1895 and sponsored by Community of Christ, Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, is more than just a school. It is a community of passionate, caring and dedicated individuals who put their relationships with students first. Campuses are located in Lamoni, Iowa, and Independence, Missouri. For more information and to see additional student achievements, follow @gracelandu on Twitter and like Graceland University on Facebook, or visit www.graceland.edu.
Graceland University
Shane Adams, 816-423-4703, shane.adams@graceland.eduShare this Story
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