SALEM, Va. – The Roanoke College athletic department announced the addition of women's flag football Tuesday, starting as a varsity sport in the spring of 2028. The new program brings the college's varsity sport offerings to 29 teams.

Women's flag football is an NCAA Emerging Sport and is positioned to pursue NCAA championship status, with the potential to host its inaugural championship as early as spring 2028. The sport is also set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, further highlighting its rapid growth and increasing global recognition.

The Maroon flag football team will be a member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), which could be the league's next full varsity sport, with hopes of an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament.

"With women's flag football growing in popularity, we felt that this was the next logical varsity sport to add to our athletics program," said RC Director of Athletics Curtis Campbell. "Roanoke has a proud tradition of success in women's athletics, and we are excited to be able to offer additional opportunities for student-athletes."

Women's collegiate flag football, which spans from February to May, is a 7-on-7 competition played in four 12-minute quarters on a football field 40 yards wide by 80 yards long. Each team moves offensively by running or passing a football, while the defense tries to "tackle" by pulling flags on the ball carrier's belt. Teams play around 8-9 games with a total roster size of 20-25 athletes.

A nationwide search for a head coach to lead the program is underway.