George Fox Athletics Announces Launch of Women’s Flag Football Program

Bruins set to pioneer the first NCAA Division III program in the Pacific Northwest, starting as a club team before a varsity transition

NEWBERG, Ore. - George Fox University Athletics is excited to announce the launch of a women's flag football program in the fall of 2027. The program will compete as a club sport for its first two seasons before a transition to full NCAA Division III varsity status. By introducing women's flag football, George Fox positions itself as the first NCAA Division III varsity program in the Pacific Northwest, becoming a premier West Coast destination for female student-athletes.

The decision to launch in fall 2027 follows a successful summer of high school girls' flag football camps hosted at George Fox, which demonstrated overwhelming local interest and demand. The Bruins plan to feature a roster of 30 athletes and compete in 24-game seasons, capitalizing on the rapid emergence of flag football as one of the fastest-growing sports nationwide.

"Anytime we can provide more opportunities for women to play sports is exciting," said Adam Puckett, director of athletics at George Fox University. "We are thrilled to give female student-athletes another venue to compete, excel, and grow in Christlike character as we build this program from the ground up."

The addition of the program aligns with the sport's dramatic surge at both the high school and national levels. In California alone, participation in high school girls' flag football has skyrocketed to over 19,000 athletes - far surpassing traditional high school sports like lacrosse, which counts around 9,000 participants. Supported by significant investments from the NFL and fueled by its upcoming inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, flag football is rapidly reshaping the athletic landscape. George Fox is proud to be at the forefront of this national momentum, as nearly 400 collegiate teams are projected to take the field nationwide by the spring of 2027.

George Fox University, Oregon's largest private university, is a U.S. News & World Report "Best National University," enrolling more than 4,000 students across its Newberg campus, regional centers in Portland and Redmond, and online. The institution offers more than 60 undergraduate programs and 21 graduate degrees. George Fox is a leader in flexible education, featuring accelerated online bachelor's degrees tailored for working adults.

Contact:

Carly Reumann

[email protected]

503-554-2101