CRESTVIEW HILLS, KY. (Sept. 23, 2026) – Thomas More University Vice President & Director of Athletics
Terry Connor announced that women's flag football will be added to the Saints athletic offerings, with program competition beginning in the 2027-2028 athletic year.
Women's flag football is the first sport added to the University athletic department since Thomas More completed the transition to NCAA Division II in 2025, bringing the number of women's sports offerings to 16. The new program is not simply another athletic team, it is also an educational and co-curricular opportunity that will help students develop and grow academically, physically, socially, morally, and as leaders.
"Adding women's flag football is about creating another opportunity for young women to discover their talents, develop as leaders, build meaningful relationships, and become part of the Thomas More community," said Connor. "This program reflects our commitment to educating the whole person and creating opportunities for our students to grow through competition, teamwork, service, and leadership. We believe women's flag football can become another meaningful expression of what it means to be a Thomas More Saint."
The program comes as women's flag football is experiencing unprecedented national momentum. The sport has seen rapid expansion at both the high school and collegiate levels, with more than 300 teams expected to compete across the country during the 2026–2027 academic year. Increased participation and student interest have fueled its rise as one of the fastest growing sports in the nation.
Women's flag football is also set to reach the global stage, as the sport prepares to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games - another sign of its accelerating popularity and long-term future.
In January 2026, the NCAA took a significant step forward by voting to add women's flag football to its Emerging Sports for Women program. The designation signals growing institutional support and moves the sport closer to full NCAA championship recognition in the coming years.
The search for Thomas More's first Head Coach is underway and candidates are encouraged to apply
here.
About Thomas More University
Founded in 1921, Thomas More University stands as a beacon of academic excellence and innovation, challenging students to Make It More. Deeply rooted in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, this timeless foundation supports a transformative educational experience as students looking to Be More are guided in the pursuit of knowledge, ethical leadership, and the integration of faith and reason. Through the high-quality, liberal arts education provided at Thomas More, students examine the ultimate meaning of life, their place in the world, and their responsibility to others which leads to the ability to think critically and contribute meaningfully to the world. Serving more than 2,400 students, Thomas More takes its place as the premier Catholic university in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati region, being named one of the 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S. by the Wall Street Journal. For more, visit thomasmore.edu.
