Penn State Schuylkill Joins Atlantic East as Associate Member for Women's Flag Football

LANCASTER, PA. - The Atlantic East is thrilled to welcome Penn State Schuylkill as an associate member starting this spring. This becomes Penn State Schuylkill's 14th varsity sport. 

"It is great to see the continued expansion of women's flag football for the Atlantic East as we welcome Penn State Schuylkill," said Rebecca Mullen, Interim Commissioner of the Atlantic East. "Penn State Schuylkill has shown to be a great fit for our conference associate membership and we look forward to seeing them on the field this spring." 

"Becoming an associate member of the Atlantic East Conference for Women's Flag Football is an exciting milestone for Penn State Schuylkill," said Penn State Schuylkill Interim Chancellor Dr. Cory Scherer. "This opportunity not only highlights the incredible talent and dedication of our student-athletes but also reinforces our commitment to fostering competitive and meaningful athletic experiences. We are proud to join a conference that shares our values of excellence and sportsmanship, and we look forward to showcasing the strength and spirit of Penn State Schuylkill in this new endeavor." 

Flag football's popularity has grown exponentially at both the high school and collegiate level. Women's collegiate flag football showcases seven players on a field that is 40 yards in width by 80 yards in length. Each team moves offensively by running or passing a football, while the defense tries to "tackle" by pulling flags on the belt of the ball carrier.
 
Penn State Schuylkill is currently a member of the ECAC, PSUAC, and USCAA. The Nittany Lions have worked to diversify their opponents over the years playing many local Division III schools including Atlantic East members. 

"Joining the Atlantic East Conference as an associate member for Women's Flag Football is a testament to the growth and competitiveness of Penn State Schuylkill Athletics," said Director of Athletics Kayla Felty. "The Atlantic East is a respected and forward-thinking conference, and we are honored to be part of its commitment to fostering excellence and opportunity for student-athletes. Competing at this level is a source of pride for our campus community and reflects the dedication and talent of our athletes as we continue to raise the bar both on and off the field." 

About 500,000 girls aged 6-17 - a 63 percent increase since 2019 - played flag football in 2023, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations. Locally, 16 high schools competed in the inaugural season of the Philadelphia Eagles' Girls Flag Football League in 2022. That number has risen to 65 teams from Pennsylvania and another 27 from South Jersey in 2024. Furthermore, the sport will make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles 2028. 

The Atlantic East partnered with the NFL and RCX Sports to become the first NCAA conference to offer varsity female flag football last year. The league held its inaugural championship in April of 2024 with a full regular season and playoff action scheduled for 2025. The inaugural championship was a one-day tournament that featured a welcome from Philadelphia Eagles mascot Swoop, team cheerleaders, as well as the pep band. 

Penn State Schuylkill joins Centenary, Immaculata, Marymount, Neumann and fellow associate members Eastern University and Holy Family University in the Atlantic East. In 2026 the league will also feature Atlantic East core member Marywood, which announced the addition of the sport this past month along with associate member Chestnut Hill. The team is immediately eligible for all women's flag football conference recognition when they begin in 2025.