Women’s flag football is gaining traction in Minnesota, with the Concordia Cobbers playing a pivotal role in its expansion. Last spring, the Cobbers launched their women’s flag football team, competing in the inaugural Minnesota Vikings college women’s flag football league. Former Cobbers women’s soccer player Emily Larsen embraced the opportunity. “Football, I feel like, is so predominantly male-focused,” she said. “It’s kind of exciting to give girls the opportunity to try something similar.”
The anticipation for the upcoming season is palpable. Rachel Bergeson, Concordia’s athletic director, confirmed that preparations for Year 2 of the Cobbers women’s flag football team are underway. “Year 2 is happening,” she stated, noting that the deadline to opt into the next season is December 22, 2023. Bergeson is also involved with the Midwest Women’s College Flag League, where the Vikings serve as a primary partner. “The Minnesota Vikings are really what helped us get this off the ground as quickly as we did,” she added.
The Vikings backed the league with a significant contribution of $140,000, facilitating participation for various teams, including the Cobbers, who were among seven teams in the league last spring. They competed in two jamborees and the championship tournament held at the Vikings’ TCO Stadium in Eagan, Minnesota. Larsen reflected on her experience, stating, “It was one of the best experiences that I’ve had and I’m happy that it’s growing and more people are able to do it now.”
Bergeson anticipates that the number of participating teams will surpass ten in the upcoming spring season. The College of St. Benedict has announced its intention to form a women’s flag football team, with a public announcement expected on October 25, 2023, during halftime at the St. John’s football game. Other teams from last spring included Augsburg, Augustana University, Gustavus, Bethel, the University of Northwestern, St. Paul, and Wisconsin-Stout, the latter winning the championship.
Bergeson noted a significant increase in interest in college-level flag football in Minnesota. “We’ve seen a big jump in interest from last year to this year in college programs in the state,” she said. The success of the championship weekend at TCO Stadium further enhanced the experience for participants.
Larsen, whose father is Matt Larsen, the athletic director at North Dakota State University, has been immersed in college football from a young age. After completing her four-year women’s soccer career at Concordia, she eagerly joined the flag football team. “I didn’t go into it with any crazy expectations,” she explained. “I’m an athletic individual and like to be involved in things especially when it comes to being competitive.”
Next spring, Larsen plans to continue her involvement in flag football while attending graduate school. “The experience itself was great,” she shared, highlighting her role primarily as a safety. Last season, the Cobbers had 18 players on their roster, competing in 5-on-5 matches, though plans for Year 2 may shift to 7-on-7 depending on various factors.
Bergeson emphasized that flag football is expanding at the high school level in Minnesota, contributing to the momentum at the college level. With the announcement that flag football will be an Olympic sport in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, Bergeson expressed optimism about the sport’s future. The NCAA is expected to vote in January 2024 on recognizing women’s flag football as an emerging sport, which would initiate the process for legislative establishment. “It’s definitely a really important first step,” Bergeson affirmed, underscoring the growing significance of women’s flag football in the collegiate sports landscape.