NC Wesleyan to Add Women’s Flag Football in 2028
The Rocky Mount university will introduce the sport to its athletic lineup as part of the USA South Conference.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Football
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North Carolina Wesleyan University is officially expanding its athletic program to include women’s flag football starting in spring 2028. The university has appointed Kenny Inge to lead the new program as its inaugural coach.
Why it matters
The addition follows the rapid growth of the sport across North Carolina, where 135 high schools fielded teams during the 2025-26 academic year. The school aims to capitalize on this expanding interest within the state.
North Carolina Wesleyan will join the USA South Conference alongside Meredith College, the only other member school currently offering the sport. This decision follows the NCAA’s inclusion of the game in its Emerging Sports for Women program in January 2026.
The players
North Carolina Wesleyan University
This is a private liberal arts institution located in Rocky Mount that maintains a diverse student body from 40 countries.
Kenny Inge
He is the newly appointed inaugural coach tasked with building the women's flag football program from the ground up.
The details
The university will begin the recruiting process for student-athletes in fall 2027 to prepare for the program launch. The initiative aligns with a broader push for women's flag football at the collegiate level following the NCAA's recent recognition of the sport.
Timeline
January 2026: NCAA added flag football to Emerging Sports for Women.
2025-26 school year: 135 NC high schools fielded flag football teams.
Fall 2027: Recruiting begins for student-athletes.
Spring 2028: Program begins competition.
Season Trajectory
This program addition significantly impacts the future competitive balance of the USA South Conference. By joining Meredith College as a pioneer in this league, the university is positioning itself at the forefront of a major shift in women’s collegiate athletics.
The university will actively begin identifying prospects in fall 2027 to build out the inaugural roster. Athletes interested in collegiate participation should monitor the program for upcoming recruitment guidelines.
The takeaway
The growth of flag football in North Carolina high schools is creating new pathways for student-athletes to compete at the collegiate level. This shift suggests that more regional universities may follow suit as the sport gains institutional legitimacy.
What happens next
The recruiting process for student-athletes is scheduled to begin in fall 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by JoCo Report.
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