ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced the addition of women's flag football as its newest varsity sport for the upcoming 2027-28 academic year. Women's flag football will be the 29th varsity sport offered within the athletic department.

"Adding women's flag football is an exciting step for Ithaca College Athletics and an important opportunity to expand access to varsity competition for women," said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Aaron Bouyea. "This is a sport with tremendous momentum nationally, and we believe Ithaca is well positioned to build a program that can compete at a high level while providing an outstanding student-athlete experience. We are excited about what this addition means for the future of Bomber athletics and look forward to welcoming the first members of our women's flag football program."

Women's flag football is one of the fastest growing sports across the country in youth (more than 250 high schools in New York) and collegiate athletics and The NCAA Division III membership voted to recognize women's flag football as an emerging sport at the 2026 NCAA Convention. The sport was also added to the upcoming Olympic Games in 2028.

The flag football program will compete during the spring semester (early March through April) and there are currently 10 NCAA Division III schools in New York that sponsor women's flag football – Brockport, Geneseo, Elmira, Hartwick, Russell Sage, St. John Fisher, St. Lawrence, Union, Utica and William Smith. Ithaca's conference affiliation is still to be determined.

"This is an exciting moment in women's athletics, and Ithaca College is proud to be at the forefront of a movement that is reshaping the collegiate sports landscape," said Ithaca College President La Jerne Terry Cornish. "At IC, a new varsity program also gives students across the college new ways to put their learning into practice, from athletic training to sports media and beyond. The entire Bomber community looks forward to welcoming these student-athletes and cheering on a new football team here on South Hill." 

Ithaca will aim to play a 12-game schedule in its first varsity season with a roster size of 12-to-16 student athletes. The game features 7-on-7 and competes on an 80- by 40-yard field. The Bombers will host their home contests at Bertino Field at Butterfield Stadium.

The search for the first women's flag football head coach will begin immediately.

Coaching candidates interested in the position should apply here.

Prospective student-athletes interested in competing in flag football at Ithaca College can fill out this form.