LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland University Vice President of Athletics Ron Pavan announces the addition of Women's Flag Football set to begin competition during the 2025-26 academic year. 

"I am excited to announce that we are adding women's flag football at Cumberland University. Women's Flag Football is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States," Pavan said. "Many local high schools are adding this to their programs which will help in our recruiting efforts."

Women's Flag Football is an emerging sport in the NAIA that featured 22 participating teams in the 2024 season with more announcing that they will be adding the sport since then. The sport plays seven-on-seven and the Phoenix will play their home games at Nokes-Lasater Field.

Women's Flag Football is rapidly growing across the nation, offering a fast-paced and dynamic competition that aligns perfectly with the university's mission to provide opportunities for student-athletes to excel both on and off the field. The sport began at the NAIA level in 2021 and has grown each year. 

The addition of the sport will make it the 31st athletic program at Cumberland and the 10th women's program. Cumberland also sponsors 11 men's sports, three co-ed sports, and seven junior varsity programs. This will be the ninth sport added since 2008 and the first since eSports in 2021.

The inaugural season will be led by a newly appointed head coach, who will oversee recruitment efforts and the development of the program. A search for the head coach will begin immediately.

Cumberland University will be the third team to sponsor Women's Flag Football within the Mid-South Conference. Campbellsville began their program in 2023 and Lindsey Wilson announced they will be adding the sport last month. The Phoenix are the second NAIA team in the state of Tennessee to add the sport, joining Milligan. 

The NAIA Women's Flag Football competition has yet to achieve official championship status at the national level. However, the association does crown a team champion each May, following a format that includes pool play leading into a bracketed playoff system. This event showcases the growing popularity and competitive spirit of women's flag football within the NAIA.