FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The University of Saint Francis will be the first in the state to offer women's flag football at the collegiate level. The first season is slated for spring 2026, according to a press release, making the Cougars the first members of the regional Crossroads League to implement women's flag football. Games will be on campus at Bishop D'Arcy Stadium. Women's flag football will be played on a 40x80-yard field as a 7-on-7 sport. The season runs from February through May. The local program will be a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Emerging Sport. While 25 NAIA schools already have women's flag football, the program won't become a championship sport until 40 schools get involved and gain NAIA approval, the release explained. “We are excited to be the first university in Indiana to announce the launch of women's flag football,” said Kelsey Passaglia, the Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator at USF. “This is a perfect time, given the growth of the sport, to provide another opportunity for female athletes to continue their education while competing in flag football. The support, enthusiasm and partnerships from surrounding high schools and clubs has been overwhelmingly positive.”