HBCU league to add women’s flag football as championship sport

Charlotte, N.C. – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), a historic conference made up of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), has announced the introduction of Women’s Flag Football at seven of its HBCU member institutions. This exciting new sport will launch in Spring 2025, further enhancing opportunities for female student-athletes at HBCUs.

The participating universities are:

• Bluefield State University
• Bowie State University
• Claflin University
• Fayetteville State University
• Johnson C. Smith University
• Virginia Union University
• Winston-Salem State University

As an HBCU-centric athletic conference, the CIAA remains committed to fostering growth and inclusion in collegiate sports. The introduction of Women’s Flag Football aligns with the NCAA’s recognition of the sport as an emerging competition and opens new doors for female athletes at HBCUs to excel on the national stage.

“We’re incredibly excited for the continued growth of the CIAA as we add women’s flag football to the many sports that our historic conference offers to our student-athletes” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams-Parker. “The opportunity to not only expand, but giving young women the opportunity to be at the forefront of the expansion and provide another phenomenal competitive opportunity is one we’re proud to offer and we look forward to seeing these ladies take the field and commence a new era. We’re also incredibly grateful for the NFL’s role in providing all the necessary assistance to help grow this sport throughout the nation at all levels.” 

Women’s Flag Football will feature teams of 25 players, with games played in a 7-on-7 format on an 80×40 yard field. The NFL, a key supporter of flag football nationwide, has been instrumental in promoting the sport, especially among female athletes.

The CIAA is the first HBCU conference and one of only a handful at the Division II level to add the sport.

Through partnerships with the NFL and RCX Sports, the CIAA will continue its mission of enriching the athletic programs at HBCUs and providing new, inclusive sports opportunities for its students.

“The RCX Sports Foundation is proud to award a grant to the CIAA Conference to help launch women’s flag football in spring 2025 as part of our mission of ‘Sports for All,’” said RCX Sports CEO Izell Reese. “This grant ensures that CIAA female student athletes have the opportunity to excel in a growing sport, fostering an inclusive environment where all athletes can thrive.” 

The CIAA eagerly anticipates a thrilling inaugural season of Women’s Flag Football, marking another milestone in the rich legacy of HBCU athletics.

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