Liz Sowers, the head coach of the Ottawa (Kan.) Braves, has been honored as the 2026 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Women’s Flag Football Coach of the Year, a testament to her sustained excellence on the sidelines.
Under her guidance the team posted a 17‑3 overall record, capturing a sixth straight regular‑season championship in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference and extending their dominance in the league.
Sowers also became the first coach in NAIA women’s flag football to breach the 100‑win barrier, finishing her six‑year tenure with a 105‑11 record.
Although the Braves fell in the semifinals of the 2026 NAIA Invitational, the loss did little to tarnish a season that built on five consecutive postseason titles the program had already collected.
The coach’s impact was especially pronounced in 2025, when she steered the squad to an unbeaten 23‑0 campaign, the first perfect season in the history of NAIA women’s flag football.
Across six seasons her teams have compiled a conference record of 53‑1, underscoring a consistency that has placed Ottawa at the forefront of collegiate flag football.
A milestone in NAIA history
Sowers’ achievement resonates beyond the scoreboard; it reflects a broader shift in how women’s sports are perceived and supported at the collegiate level. Her milestone has sparked conversations about investment in female athletes and the infrastructure that nurtures them.
Athletic directors at Ottawa University praised the coach’s leadership, noting that her strategic acumen and player development have set a benchmark for future programs seeking similar success.
The recognition also highlights the role of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics in promoting competitive opportunities for women across the country, a mission that aligns with the organization’s broader goals of equity in collegiate sports.