Rochester universities add women's flag football as varsity sport
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Flag football has rapidly grown in popularity over the past few year, both here at home, with 30 different high schools in Section V offered girls flag football last Spring, and even nationally, as flag football has been named an event for the 2028 Summer Olympic games in Los Angeles.
Now, many Rochester area college and universities are introducing women's flag football, not only as a club, but as a varsity sport.
Roberts Wesleyan University, a Division II program, is one of the latest to announce their newest women's sport.
'This is a great sport for women,' said Bob Segave, the Executive Director of Athletics at Roberts Wesleyan. 'It's one of the biggest growing sports. Having this opportunity to offer another program for women, and give then another opportunity to get on the field and compete while showing off all the gifts a talents that they have, its a priority here at Roberts.'
Right up the road, SUNY Brockport is also in the process of creating their own program, all lead by one student-athlete, Kat Althouse, who was at the forefront of putting together the universities club team.
Now, with the help of her teammates, she will have the opportunity to participate in the varsity sport during her senior year.
'Getting to play football after loving it and watching if for so long felt really good,' Kat says. ' Being able to be on the field again, and really being able to be part of something great has been more than extraordinary.'
For Kat though, creating this program goes far beyond playing football with her teammates.
'Everything we do is to grow the game,' she explains. 'But also to grow women's sports and break barriers, and end stigmas for women.'
She hopes that her example will show the younger generations of female athletes to stand up for themselves, and prove themselves both on and off the field.
'To any little girl who wants to play football,' Kay said. 'Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something. I've been there done that when being told I don't know this or that. Prove them wrong. Don't be hateful;, or do it in spite, but do it for yourself, and do it for others.'
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