The Minnesota Vikings are teaming up with Concordia University to launch a collegiate women’s flag football league this spring. Six NCAA schools, including Augustana University, Gustavus, Bethel, the University of Northwestern, and Wisconsin-Stout, will participate in the new league.
Concordia athletic director Rachel Bergeson expressed excitement about starting the program, saying it was a “significant moment for continued growth” in girls’ and women’s flag football. The Vikings will contribute $140,000 to support the league and participating programs.
The six teams will compete in multiple jamborees next month, with the University of Northwestern hosting one on April 5 and Wisconsin-Stout hosting another on April 12. The championship tournament is set for April 26 at TCO Stadium in Eagan.
Bergeson expects the Concordia team to field nearly 20 players and will start practice in mid-March. The team will wear “Cobbers” uniforms, which are branded like other programs on campus.
The NFL has promoted youth flag football and made it a sanctioned high school sport in Minnesota since 2024. With the upcoming launch of women’s flag football at the collegiate level, the league is expected to bring further awareness to the sport.
Jordyn Kahler, a senior from Wahpeton, North Dakota, will join Concordia’s flag football team after completing her women’s basketball career. She expressed excitement about expanding women’s sports and watching football with her dad since childhood.
Source: https://www.inforum.com/sports/college/concordia-cobbers-partner-with-vikings-to-launch-6-team-collegiate-womens-flag-football-league