Women’s flag football’s footprint has expanded to the collegiate level in Mississippi.
After the sport had a successful debut at the high school ranks this past year, flag football is moving up the ranks. Millsaps College announced this week that it is looking to be the first higher learning institution in the state to offer female student-athletes the chance to showcase their talents on the gridiron.
Millsaps officials say that by adding the sport, it will give female student-athletes the chance to break barriers and bring a brand-new spirit of competition to campus. The flag football team will launch as a club sport in spring 2026 before becoming the 19th varsity-sponsored sport at Millsaps in the spring of 2027.
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“This is a historic moment for Millsaps and for women’s athletics in Mississippi,” Millsaps Athletics Director Justin LeBlanc said. “By investing in women’s flag football, we’re creating new pathways for student-athletes to shine, to lead, and to inspire. We’re committed to providing equal opportunities and being at the forefront of this exciting movement in collegiate sports.”
Flag football has been one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. At least 65 NCAA schools are sponsoring women’s flag football at either the club or varsity levels. The sport has also been added to the list of events during the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“For women like me who’ve dreamed of this opportunity, Millsaps is making it real,” Millsaps women’s basketball player and future flag football player Elyse Warren said. “This program means we can play the sport we love at the highest level and be part of something bigger, a movement that inspires future generations.”
The inaugural season will feature games against colleges across the Southeast, giving Millsaps student-athletes the chance to compete and grow while building a foundation for NCAA Division III play in 2027.
