Allegheny Women’s Flag Football Joins New York Jets-Sponsored ECAC League

The Allegheny College women's flag football team will compete in a newly-formed league sponsored by the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), the New York Jets, and the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation (BWJF).

On Tuesday, the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation announced a groundbreaking $1 million grant to the ECAC to fund the creation of the largest collegiate women's flag football league in the nation, launching in spring 2026. Allegheny joins fellow Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) institution Franciscan University and nearby Mercyhurst University as charter members of the 15-team league, which includes teams from Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Inaugural Allegheny College flag football coach Abby Haynie reacted to the news, saying, "Joining the ECAC Women's Flag Football League is a major milestone for our team. Not only does this show our dedication to women's flag football, but it gives us an opportunity to gain invaluable experience before the NCAA votes to recognize flag football as a championship sport. It's remarkable to see an organization like the New York Jets recognize where this sport is going and jumping into action.

Haynie also brings expertise as a professional player. She played for the Pittsburgh Passion, where she honed her skills as a leader and stand-out performer. "These are things that when I was a girl, I never thought were possible. I never thought I would be a professional football player and now a coach."

The support of the National Football League (NFL) has been strong and inspiring for the handful of collegiate teams. "Empowering young women through football has always been central to our mission," said Woody Johnson, Chairman of the New York Jets. "Partnering with the ECAC to launch this league creates a clear pathway for student-athletes to compete, grow, and lead - on the field and beyond."

"The launch of the Jets ECAC Women's Flag Football League represents a significant milestone for women's sports," said Troy Vincent Sr., NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations. "By establishing the largest collegiate women's flag football league, we are collectively building a future where young women can dream bigger and continue playing the sport they love in a competitive setting. Woody Johnson, the Johnson Family, and the New York Jets have been pioneers in this area, and we are proud to partner with them and the ECAC to empower the next generation of flag football athletes."

As part of the Jets and BWJF commitment, each school will receive a grant to offset costs associated with fielding a flag football team. The following schools have committed to playing in the Jets ECAC Women's Flag Football League:

School Name - Location

• Allegheny College - Meadville, Pa.
• Caldwell University* - Caldwell, N.J.
• Dominican University* - Orangeburg, N.Y.
• Eastern University - St. Davids, Pa.
• Fairleigh Dickinson* - Teaneck, N.J.
• Franciscan University - Steubenville, Ohio
• Kean University - Union, N.J.
• Long Island University - Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Mercy University - Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.
• Mercyhurst University - Erie, Pa.
• Montclair State University - Montclair, N.J.
• Mount St. Mary's University - Emmitsburg, Md.
• Union College* - Schenectady, N.Y.
• Penn State Schuylkill - Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
• Sweet Briar College* - Sweet Briar, Va.

*Will begin play in spring 2027

Under the direction of the team's Coach Haynie, the Gators will make their debut as a club program this spring. The College anticipates elevating the team to varsity status in spring 2027, coinciding with the NCAA's inclusion of flag football in the Emerging Sports for Women program. Haynie has already led the Gators through several practices this fall, in addition to competing in Slippery Rock University's Halloween Classic tournament in October.

"I cannot be more excited to get the program off the ground. Allegheny College is truly at the forefront of this sport. I was an assistant high school girls flag football coach previously, and I loved developing those relationships with the girls and seeing them do so well. To have the opportunity for a full-time job at the college level is amazing," says Haynie.