PHILADELPHIA – The Atlantic East held a women’s flag football media day on Monday, March 3^rd at Lincoln Financial Field this past Monday. The event kicked off the league’s inaugural varsity season.
 
Welcoming the teams was interim commissioner, Rebecca Mullen and Julie Hirshey, the vice president of community relations for the Eagles.
 
“You are setting a foundation for women and what women’s collegiate flag football will become in the future,” Hirshey said. “That’s starting with you guys here today, you’re proving that football is for everyone.”
 
The event was filled with excitement from the student athletes, coaches, administrators, and media. Starting the day each of the seven members schools – Centenary, Eastern, Holy Family, Immaculata, Marymount, Neumann, and Penn State Schuylkill – had students on panels. The two student panels answered questions centered around what it meant for them to be in the groundbreaking season representing each of their institutions.
 
Last spring, four of the schools participated in a one-day flag football tournament with the Atlantic East. Those student athletes were able to discuss the changes in their experiences and their excitement for the first competitive year.
 
After the student athlete panels, the coaches and administrators had an opportunity to share their insight into what they feel about the future of flag football. Each of the coaches shared their outlook on the season below.

The season kicks off tonight with three games featuring Centenary, Immaculata, and Penn State Schuylkill. The semifinals and championship game will be held at the top seed on April 25/26^th.
 
Centenary
Centenary is a team put together from a bunch of hardworking, gritty, multi-sport athletic women built on the foundation of striving to become the greatest version of themselves. Everyone throughout our whole program is getting their first crack at flag football and the excitement is through the roof. 
 
Eastern
Eastern University’s women’s flag football team is preparing for its inaugural season with a determined and focused mindset. The roster includes a mix of returning players and standout newcomers, many of whom excelled in high school programs and bring valuable experience to the field. With a strong emphasis on discipline, strategy, and team cohesion, the team is refining its offensive and defensive schemes to compete at a high level. As they build chemistry and sharpen their skills, the players are eager to showcase their talent and establish a competitive presence in collegiate flag football.  
 
Holy Family
The Holy Family Tigers Women's Flag Football team is an awesome group of young trailblazers, who took a chance on themselves & each other to represent our fine university on the Flag Football Gridiron. Through the experience of a few players who've played the game in high school & the commitment of the whole, they're leaning on each other to bring out the best in this program each & every day. 
 
Immaculata
We are really excited for the opportunity to compete this spring. We have a great blend of returning players and impactful new comers. It’s a really exciting time to be part of this movement. 
 
Marymount
The AEC has a talented group of players and coaches.  We look forward to an exciting and competitive season. 
 
Neumann
The Neumann Knights are thrilled to be part of the inaugural season of Atlantic East Women’s Flag Football. Our team composition of dedicated returning players combined with some talented newcomers has us eager and confident to compete! 
 
Penn State Schuylkill
Penn State Schuylkill Women’s Flag Football is entering its inaugural season after launching the program in October 2024. With a roster comprised of talented athletes from our soccer, basketball, and volleyball teams, we are excited to compete and build the foundation for the future of our program.
 
ABOUT ATLANTIC EAST 
The Atlantic East Conference is a member of NCAA Division III comprising seven institutions in a four-state area - Gwynedd Mercy, Immaculata, Marywood and Neumann Universities in Pennsylvania; Centenary University in New Jersey, Marymount University in Virginia, and Pratt Institute in New York.  
Stay up to date with all the latest news from the Atlantic East! 
'Follow' us on Twitter and Instagram, Linkedin, and 'Like' us on Facebook!