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Union College in Schenectady will introduce a women's flag football program in spring 2027, marking the 15th women's sport at the college. This addition is the first since women's golf was introduced in 2012. The team, known as the Garnet Chargers, will play their home games at Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium.
Flag football is a non-tackling version of American football, where players remove a strip of material from their opponent's belt instead of tackling. The game follows NFL rules and is played in a 7-on-7 format on an 80-by-40-foot field. Each game consists of four 12-minute quarters.
Union College's decision to add flag football comes as the sport gains popularity nationwide. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), nearly 50,000 girls played high school flag football in the 2024-25 school year. Additionally, the NCAA is considering adding flag football to its list of emerging sports for women, with a vote expected in January.
Jim McLaughlin, Union's director of athletics, expressed excitement about the new program, stating, "It's a sport that has gained tremendous popularity, and can only help us to attract more outstanding women student-athletes to Union." The college will begin the search for the program's first head coach immediately.
The addition of women's flag football is expected to enhance Union's athletic community and support gender equity by providing new opportunities for female athletes. Annette Diorio, vice president for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, emphasized the importance of offering more women the chance to compete in collegiate sports.