Backed by the NFL, women’s flag football is rapidly growing across the U.S. In February 2024, the Illinois High School Association introduced girls’ flag football as an official sport, hosting its first state championship in October. Currently, over 125 Illinois high school teams compete, with nearly 100 more expected to join soon.

Illinois College will be the fifth Division III institution in Illinois to offer women’s flag football. With its inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, the sport’s global popularity is expected to surge even further. Current and prospective students interested in joining the IC Lady Blues Flag Football team are encouraged to fill out the Prospective Student-Athlete Interest Form or contact Lady Blues Flag Football head coach Hunter Gray for additional information.