ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Cedar Crest College Director of Athletics Christy Malone Fleagle announced the addition of women's flag football as the 12th varsity sport offered by the College, which will begin competition in the spring of 2026.
"We are excited to announce that women's flag football will be our 12th varsity sport at Cedar Crest College," said Fleagle. "This addition not only enriches our athletic program offerings, but also reflects the increasing recognition and support for women in sports. We are proud to launch this sport and compete in the United East Conference. Our focus is on empowering our student-athletes and cultivating a vibrant, inclusive community through this new, exciting sport."
The addition of the flag football program comes on the heels of the United East Conference announcement of adding flag football as the league's newest varsity sport in 2025-26.
The United East becomes the second Division III conference to announce its sponsorship of women's flag football, joining the Atlantic East Conference, and the fourth conference among all divisions in the NCAA (Division II's Conference Carolinas & Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association).
At the high school level, 13 states currently sanction women's flag football (including Pennsylvania), and, over the last five years, participation in high school girls flag football has grown by nearly 15 percent and nearly 18 percent for ages 6-17.
The conference's addition of women's flag football has been coordinated with the National Football League (NFL) and RCX Sports Foundation.
"Cedar Crest College is proud to continue opening doors for our students that were previously closed to them," said Dr. Elizabeth M. Meade, President of Cedar Crest College. "Women who have long wanted to play flag football will be able to do so at Cedar Crest College and through the United East."
The average roster size is around 25 players who will play 7-on-7. A contest will consist of four 12-minute quarters on a field that is 80x40 yards. The offense has four downs to cross each 20-yard line for a first down with an option to punt at third down. If unsuccessful, teams surrender possession to their opponent.
Teams score six points for a touchdown and can gain an extra one or two points for a set play from the five- or 10-yard lines. Players will wear tightly fixed flag belts with sockets and two pop flags on either side of their hips.
The NFL is a huge supporter of the growth of flag football. Numerous NFL facilities and stadiums have been utilized for competitions and clinics while several players have attended and engaged with athletes to grow the sport. Across the country this past year, more than 700,000 youth took part in NFL FLAG leagues, with nearly 500,000 of those athletes being female, and 13 states have now sanctioned girls high school flag football as championship sports, thanks to the work of the NFL and RCX Sports Foundation, the official operator of NFL FLAG.
Cedar Crest will conduct a national search to fill the head coach position--beginning immediately.
If you are interested in joining the flag football program, please contact Director of Athletics Christy Malone Fleagle at christy.fleagle@cedarcrest.edu.
About Cedar Crest College
Cedar Crest College has been empowering women to smash glass ceilings and achieve their educational goals since 1867. Today, the College continues to open the doors to opportunities for its diverse student body, both in the undergraduate women's college and in the co-ed School of Adult and Graduate Education. Located in Allentown, Pa., Cedar Crest is ranked by U.S. News & World Report's 2024 Best College Rankings as #9 in Social Mobility and is among the top 100 colleges and universities in the region.
