A new frontier for Slippery Rock athletics
Slippery Rock University announced this week that it will open recruitment for its inaugural women's flag football program, slated to begin competition in the 2027‑28 academic year. The move comes as the sport gains momentum across the nation and the university aims to position the new team as a future NCAA championship contender.
Head coach Lisa Horton, hired on July 1, 2026, is leading the effort to build the roster from the ground up. Horton has already begun scouting talent, saying she will attend high‑profile showcases such as the 2026 NFL Flag Championship Showcase and the "We Run the World" Nationals to identify prospects who can blend athletic skill with academic excellence.
The university’s push reflects a broader ambition to elevate the program to NCAA championship status. In January 2027, the NCAA will vote on a proposal to host the first national championship event in spring 2028, a milestone that could cement flag football’s place in the collegiate sports landscape.
Slippery Rock, a Division II institution in western Pennsylvania, currently sponsors 19 varsity teams and boasts a strong academic reputation. In the 2025‑26 season, SRU student‑athletes posted a collective GPA of 3.528, topping the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and ranking sixth all‑time among Division II schools for Academic All‑Americans.
The university offers more than 150 undergraduate majors and 40 graduate degrees, serving a student body of over 8,600 individuals. Its commitment to both athletics and scholarship has positioned it as a model for schools seeking competitive yet academically rigorous programs.
Located in the heart of western Pennsylvania, the campus draws students from across the region, including nearby cities such as Pittsburgh and Conshohocken, as well as from farther afield like Indiana and the broader United States. The new flag football initiative underscores the university’s intent to expand its athletic footprint while maintaining its core values of performance and scholarship.