Azusa Pacific University announces the addition of women’s flag football to its athletics portfolio beginning 2026-27, fast‑tracking the sport’s introduction by one year. Women’s flag football debuts as a club sport in 2026-27, with integration to full intercollegiate competition in 2027-28.This strategic decision reflects APU’s commitment to expanding competitive opportunities for female student‑athletes while taking advantage of the impressive nationwide growth of women’s flag football at the collegiate and high‑school levels.
Expanding Opportunities for Female Student-Athletes
“Adding women’s flag football underscores our dedication to creating meaningful athletic pathways for young women,” said President Adam J. Morris, PhD. “As interest in the sport surges nationally, we are excited to be among the universities leading this opportunity for student‑athletes to grow, compete, and thrive in a Christ‑centered community.”
The Rapid Growth of Women’s College Flag Football
The fastest-growing youth sport among American women and girls, flag football has been adopted by dozens of institutions as either a varsity or club-level program with increasing momentum toward national championship competition as reflected by the NCAA’s recent approval of flag football as an emerging sport during the association’s convention in January. By accelerating its timeline, APU positions itself to recruit early, build competitive foundations, and contribute to the sport’s development on the West Coast just as the sport heads to its debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Building a Unified APU Football Ecosystem
Azusa Pacific aims to uniquely integrate its returning men’s football program with the launch of women’s flag football by creating shared systems of support, streamlined operations, and collaborative training environments. APU hopes to build a unified football ecosystem that maximizes efficiency while honoring the distinct competitive environments of each program. This coordinated approach will foster mentorship, cross‑program learning, and a strong sense of community—positioning both teams to thrive as they grow together.
“This addition of flag football strengthens our commitment to providing balanced, holistic athletic experiences,” said Athletic Director Gary Pine. “We’re looking forward to competing against our new conference members Cal Lutheran, Redlands, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, and Pomona-Pitzer, as well as other colleges and universities that are adding flag football,” Pine added. “I expect the sport to be a spectator favorite on campuses throughout California.”
The launch of women’s flag football expands APU’s long-standing tradition of excellence in women’s athletics, contributing to a legacy that includes 48 national championships and consistent top‑20 national finishes in the Learfield Directors’ Cup.
How to Join the APU Women’s Flag Football Team
Interested prospective student-athletes can email flagfootball@apu.edu for materials and further information about the program. Visit athletics.apu.edu and follow @apucougars on Instagram and X, and @azuspacificathletics on Facebook for updates.
Azusa Pacific University, one of the West Coast’s leading Christian higher education institutions, equips students to become compassionate leaders who impact the world for Christ. More than 330 student‑athletes compete across APU’s 19 intercollegiate programs, which serve as a model of integrity, student impact, and competitive excellence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Azusa Pacific University will debut women’s flag football as a club sport during the 2026-27 academic year, with full integration into intercollegiate athletic competition planned for the 2027-28 season.
APU will compete against other regional conference members and colleges adding the sport, including Cal Lutheran, Redlands, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, and Pomona-Pitzer.
Interested prospective student-athletes can reach out to the athletics department by emailing flagfootball@apu.edu to receive recruiting materials and further information about joining the team.