Women's flag football continues to gain momentum across the country, with participation growing at the high school and collegiate levels and the sport set to debut at the 2028 Olympic Games. As national visibility increases, more universities are exploring ways to bring the game to campus.
This fall, Bowling Green State University joins that momentum with the launch of its Women's Flag Football club team. This push also came from students' interest in the sport. Freshman Kennedy Boyd played a central role in getting the team off the ground. During orientation, she stopped at a student involvement table and asked whether a women's flag football club existed.
"They explained that while one did not currently exist, I was more than welcome to start one. From that conversation forward, I took the steps to build the program from the ground up," said Boyd.
For Boyd, the motivation came from playing on her high school women's flag football team, which she says was impactful for her in many different ways. She wanted to help bring that experience to BGSU.
"The opportunities connected to the sport—networking, leadership development, and community engagement—are truly endless. I wanted to create a space where women could compete, grow, and build something impactful together." Said Boyd.
Coach Chase Simms said the timing aligned with the sport's rapid rise.
"With the explosion of the Olympics right now, and flag football being added as an Olympic sport for 2028, the time to strike and grow our program has to be now," he said.
Interest on campus has continued to grow. The team began with 12 players and has since expanded its roster to 17, with additional students expressing interest each week, according to Simms. Recruitment has primarily taken place through the Club Sports website, social media, and word of mouth.
As practices have started, Simms said the roster features a mix of experience levels. Some players have previous flag football backgrounds, while others are learning the sport for the first time.
"We have a lot of girls with raw talent, waiting to get the experience they need to compete," Simms said. "I like where our athletes have settled into. They are all extremely coachable."
He added that players have embraced learning the game and asking questions, something he believes will be critical in year one.
From the player's perspective, that early development phase is part of the excitement. Freshman player Addison Fleming said the team is focused on improvement.
"For this first season, I expect us to learn a lot," Fleming said. "The majority of our team is new to this sport and is still learning. Though I believe we will adapt, learn quickly, and win some games this year."
While immediate success is always a goal, Simms said the foundation matters most in an inaugural season.
"Our goals for this first year are to be a well-conditioned team and a well-prepared team," he said. "Our aspiration each time we step onto the field is to win, but the goal is to always get better."
Looking beyond this season, Simms said the long-term objective is to join a conference and compete at the regional and national levels as the program continues to develop.
For Boyd and Fleming, the future holds many possibilities. Boyd said she hopes the program becomes firmly established on campus in the coming years and continues contributing to the broader growth of women's athletics. Fleming echoed that vision, expressing hope for increased recognition and more opportunities as interest in the sport continues to rise.
Five years from now, Boyd said she sees the team as a recognized presence at BGSU, with more women drawn to the game and the program continuing to open doors for those involved.
As the team prepares for its first season, Simms encouraged the campus community to follow along and support the new program as it takes its first steps.
"Our team will be fast-paced, bring heart, and will always be loud and proud. If you want to watch an exciting program blossom, come support us at some of our home games," Simms said.
With growing national attention and steady interest on campus, BGSU's women's flag football team enters its inaugural season looking to build a foundation that can carry the program forward for years to come.
