PULASKI, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee Southern has announced plans to add intercollegiate women’s flag football to its athletic program beginning in Fall 2026 (pending final Title IX approval), expanding the university’s athletics portfolio to 20 varsity sports.
Women’s flag football is among the fastest-growing sports in the United States, and UT Southern’s addition of the sport underscores the university’s commitment to providing innovative and inclusive athletic opportunities for students.
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has partnered with NFL FLAG to expand women’s flag football nationwide, providing funding, training, and program support for member institutions. Beginning in Spring 2026, the NAIA will transition its women’s flag football postseason to a qualification-based invitational tournament. Through the NAIA–NFL FLAG partnership, participating schools gain access to high-quality coaching resources, equipment, and promotional tools to build successful, sustainable programs.
By joining NAIA-sanctioned competition, UT Southern athletes will have the opportunity to compete against top talent from across the country and showcase their skills on a national stage—enhancing both individual development and the university’s athletic reach.
As a proud member of the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC), UT Southern will help expand women’s flag football within the region, joining Brewton-Parker Christian University (GA), Life University (GA), Point University (GA), and Thomas University (GA) in offering the sport.
“We are excited to bring women’s flag football to UT Southern,” said Brandie Paul, Director of Athletics. “This is a big step forward for our Firehawk Athletics program and for female student-athletes across Tennessee. The sport’s rapid growth nationally—and now at the high school level through TSSAA—creates incredible opportunities for young women to compete at the collegiate level while earning their degree. We’re proud to be among the first universities in the state to make that possible.”
The timing of UT Southern’s announcement aligns with a pivotal development in Tennessee athletics: the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) voted in June 2025 to recognize women’s flag football as an official state championship sport. This milestone creates a clear pathway for female athletes to continue their participation at the collegiate level.
By introducing intercollegiate women’s flag football, UT Southern is uniquely positioned to recruit talented high school athletes from across Tennessee who are already competing in TSSAA programs. As the only University of Tennessee campus and just the second four-year institution in the state to offer the sport, UT Southern continues to lead the way in fostering opportunity, competition, and growth for student-athletes.