Lewis University Announces Addition Of Women's Flag Football

ROMEOVILLE, IL — The Lewis University athletic department has unveiled the addition of women's flag football as the Flyers newest varsity sport, the university shared in a news release. The women's flag football program will begin competition in 2026-27.

This elevates the Lewis athletic department to 23 total programs.

"We're excited to announce the addition of women's flag football to Lewis Athletics" said assistant vice president for athletics John Ashaolu. "The sport's popularity has surged in Illinois and across the Midwest, creating a strong pool of talented student-athletes ready to compete at a high level. Lewis is built on a championship culture, and this investment reflects our commitment to building a national contender and pursuing championships in this sport just as we have in others."

Women's flag football received an NCAA emerging sport recommendation earlier this year and Lewis becomes the first Division II school in Illinois and seventh school overall in the Land of Lincoln to add women's flag football, according to the university. Within the Chicagoland area, they join Division III schools Benedictine, Aurora and North Park as the only four collegiate institutions to sponsor the sport.

"We are excited to add Women's Flag Football to our roster of sports" said Lewis president Dr. David Livingston. "As one of the fastest growing sports in the NCAA, we believe that it will be another area of excellence within Flyer athletics."

This marks the first sport expansion for Lewis since the Flyers added STUNT ahead of the 2024-25 athletic year.

Lewis is also currently undergoing a national search for a head coach/coordinator of internal operations.