The Great Southwest Athletic Conference (GSAC) is proud to announce the addition of women’s flag football as a championship sport beginning in the 2025-26 academic year. With the growing momentum surrounding women’s flag football nationally, the GSAC becomes just the third conference in the NAIA to officially sponsor the sport.

Five GSAC institutions—Arizona Christian University, Benedictine University Mesa, Hope International University, La Sierra University, and OUAZ—will launch women’s flag football programs in 2025-26, joined by Simpson University as an associate member. With this commitment, the GSAC positions itself at the forefront of the sport’s rapid ascent in collegiate athletics, reinforcing its commitment as a conference that embraces innovation and growth within the NAIA landscape.

“This is an exciting milestone for the GSAC as we continue to evolve and expand our championship offerings,” said GSAC Commissioner Mike Daniels. “Adding women’s flag football provides new opportunities for student-athletes, especially in the West, to compete at the collegiate level and be part of a growing sport. We’re excited to see our schools embrace this addition and help build a strong foundation for flag football within the NAIA.”

The inaugural GSAC women’s flag football season will take place during the spring semester, aligning with the competitive calendar established by the NAIA for the sport. A full conference schedule, along with details on championship qualification, will be announced in the coming months as programs finalize their preparations for the debut campaign.

It’s expected that the NAIA will officially transition women’s flag football from its current status as an emerging sport to an invitational sport, marking another key milestone in its continued growth at the collegiate level. This progression further solidifies the sport’s place within the association’s championship structure and enhances opportunities for competition nationwide.