Flag Football Eyes NCAA Championship Status
Flag football has accelerated its climb toward official NCAA championship recognition after being admitted to the Emerging Sports for Women program in 2025. More than one hundred colleges now field varsity or club teams, and the momentum has gathered enough traction that the NCAA Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact has recommended elevating the sport to championship status.
Among the institutions embracing the opportunity are Kean University, Long Island University and Manhattan University. At Kean, head coach Mandrele Hansford has overseen the transformation of the program from a club outfit in 2025 to a varsity team a year later, unlocking full athletic department resources such as tutoring, training facilities and the prospect of athletic scholarships in Division I and II.
Hansford, who also serves full‑time with the New Jersey State Police, has been actively recruiting high school players with flag football experience to join Kean’s inaugural varsity roster. His dual commitment underscores the sport’s growing legitimacy and the personal dedication required to shepherd it from club competition to varsity prominence.
The NCAA is expected to review the committee’s recommendation in the coming months, with a vote on championship status potentially taking place early next year. If approved, a National Collegiate Flag Football Committee would be formed, paving the way for the first NCAA Women’s Flag Football Championship as soon as 2028. Hansford has voiced a clear ambition to win that inaugural title and bring a championship home to his program.