MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg has announced the addition of women's flag football as its newest club sport offering, with a search for a head coach to begin immediately. 


Once established, the program will operate at the club level against other programs from local colleges and universities.


"We've had growing interest in women's flag football from prospective students, as well as students currently enrolled," said Penn State Harrisburg director of athletics Rahsaan Carlton. "It's a burgeoning sport with support from the National Football League, the Olympic Games and schools across the country and we're excited to add it to our current list of club sport offerings."


Women's flag football recently became a sanctioned sport in the NAIA and most notably, will be included at the 2028 Summer Olympics. High school participation has quickly grown, with 42,955 girls participating in the 2023-24 season. Nearly half a million girls aged 6-17 played flag football in the United States in 2023. The NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics is currently reviewing an application to make women's flag football an Emerging Sport for Women.


Penn State Harrisburg's club team will contest its home games at the college's multipurpose turf facility. The complex is set to undergo final renovations this spring to complete the addition of permanent bleachers, public restrooms, a press box, team storage and a concession stand. The renovations are funded by the Penn State Harrisburg student facility fee.  


A search for a head coach will get underway immediately. The program will field a roster of 15 to 20 players that will play 7-on-7. A contest will consist of four 12-minute quarters on a field that is 80x40 yards. The offense has four downs to cross each 20-yard line for a first down with an option to punt at third down. If unsuccessful, teams surrender possession to their opponent. Teams score six points for a touchdown and can gain an extra one or two points for a set play from the five- or 10-yard lines. Players will wear tightly fixed flag belts with sockets and two pop flags on either side of their hips.  


Penn State Harrisburg will continue to assess the interest level and overall viability of future club and varsity athletic programs, with no specific timeline set for new additions.


Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.