STANDISH, Maine – Saint Joseph's College of Maine has announced the addition of women's flag football as its newest varsity sport, becoming the first collegiate institution in the State of Maine to sponsor the sport at the NCAA varsity level.
Women's flag football will become the 21st varsity sport sponsored by Saint Joseph's, aligning the College with one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation.
With competition scheduled to begin in Spring 2028, Saint Joseph's will focus on developing all aspects of the program - including staffing, recruiting, scheduling, and community engagement - during the 2026-27 academic year.
Saint Joseph's launches the program at a pivotal time in the sport's development. Girls' flag football continues to experience rapid growth nationwide, with the sport now played in more than 40 states and recognized as a sanctioned championship sport by 23 state high school associations. More than 60,000 girls participated in youth flag football leagues across the country during the 2024-25 season.
Women's flag football was added to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program in January 2026, marking the first formal step toward NCAA championship status. Sponsorship has already surpassed the NCAA's 40-school requirement, and more than 100 institutions are expected to sponsor the sport in the coming years. Legislation to establish a national championship is expected to advance in 2027, with the inaugural NCAA Women's Flag Football Championship projected for Spring 2028.
The addition of women's flag football is being supported through a combination of private philanthropy and external funding opportunities. An anonymous donor has provided a significant gift to help launch the program, and Saint Joseph's will actively pursue grants and strategic partnerships through the NFL and other organizations committed to expanding opportunities for women in the sport.
The timing positions Saint Joseph's to compete during the inaugural era of NCAA championship women's flag football.
"This is an exciting day for Saint Joseph's College and for the future of women's athletics in Maine," said Co-Director of Athletics Will Sanborn. "Women's flag football has experienced tremendous growth across the country in recent years, and we believe that momentum will continue. After carefully evaluating the landscape and the opportunities available to prospective student-athletes, we felt this was the right time to invest in the sport and establish a program that can thrive for years to come."
Much of the sport's recent expansion has been fueled by significant investment from the NFL, USA Football, and RCX Sports, which have worked to expand participation opportunities nationwide. Women's flag football is also scheduled to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, further elevating the sport's profile on the national and international stage. As colleges and universities across the country continue to add the sport, Saint Joseph's anticipates competing against a growing number of programs throughout New England and the Northeast.
"Today's generation of female athletes want to play flag football, and the momentum is impossible to ignore," said College President Joseph Cassidy. "By establishing Maine's first collegiate program, Saint Joseph's is not just adding a team; we are joining a landmark national movement. We look forward to welcoming these trailblazing student-athletes to our campus and watching them define a new era of Monks athletics."
Additional details regarding the program's inaugural head coach search, recruiting efforts, community events, and future developments will be announced in the coming weeks.
About Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Founded in 1912 by the Sisters of Mercy, Saint Joseph's College of Maine is the state's only Catholic liberal arts college. Located on the shores of Sebago Lake in Standish, Maine, the college offers a diverse, inclusive community focused on compassion, justice, and environmental stewardship. The college's 382-acre campus includes 2,500 feet of waterfront and is committed to sustainability.
Saint Joseph's College of Maine offers more than 40 undergraduate programs and 21 Division III athletic teams for approximately 800 on-campus students, along with certificates, undergraduate, and graduate degrees to over 2,000 working adults online, both in the U.S. and internationally. Learn more at www.sjcme.edu.
