“Over the moon!” Bethel students embrace new opportunity to play women’s flag football

Carli Bauman ’28 always wanted to play football. It’s long been her favorite sport, and her brother played. But with few leagues available for women, she instead played hockey in high school and only found occasional opportunities to play—like Bethel’s Homecoming powderpuff game. Now, Bauman and other women at Bethel will have the opportunity to play football. Bethel University is making history as one of six regional universities partnering with the Minnesota Vikings to launch a new collegiate women’s flag football league. “I was over the moon,” says Bauman. “I decided to participate the moment I found out.”

The league will debut as a club sport at Bethel, giving women the chance to compete, build community, and represent Bethel. Women’s flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, with high school and college programs expanding nationwide. The league is launching with a $140,000 contribution from the Vikings and the NFL to expand competitive opportunities for women in football and pave the way for future generations of athletes. “I am so excited for this experience,” says Bauman, who is studying nursing with a biblical and theological studies minor. “Even though it is new, I think it will be a lot of fun—and I could most definitely see it growing as the years go on.”

While the league is being driven by the NFL and Minnesota Vikings to grow interest in football, Bethel Athletics Director Greg Peterson sees it as an exciting opportunity for growth on campus. The team offers another chance for students to engage and connect in Bethel’s vibrant community. “I think this is another opportunity for our students to be involved with something that can build a sense of belonging and community,” Peterson says. “That’s what I love about teams.”

So far, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Bauman sees flag football as something many women will love. “When I told some of my other friends, they were literally jumping for joy,” she says. “We were all so excited and ecstatic that we get this opportunity.” In fact, Peterson notes Bethel’s team has seen some of the strongest student interest among participating schools. Tavian Swanson, an assistant men’s football coach, was named coach of the women’s flag football team, and he says the excitement extends beyond his new team. “It’s been amazing—not only from the students who want to play, but also from the guys on the football team who are excited to see their peers competing in something they love,” he says.

The news came at a perfect time for Taylor Hanson ’25. As a Littleton, Colorado, native, Hanson narrowly missed the chance to play flag football in high school. The Colorado High School Activities Association introduced it as a school sport after she graduated. “I 100% would have played,” she says. She’s now getting that chance at Bethel. “When I saw this was an opportunity, it was like my dream was coming true,” says Hanson, an organizational communications major with a journalism minor. 

After learning about the league, Hanson immediately texted all her friends. Hanson is excited to see flag football gaining popularity—and to be part of its growth for future generations. “I already have been talking to young girls about that dream of playing flag football, so I'm hoping that it will continue to grow for those girls!” she says. She’s also looking forward to being part of a team again. Hanson played basketball and golf and ran cross country in high school, but she chose not to compete in college-level athletics. “I’ve missed playing sports, and I love that Bethel is adding more club sports for women,” she says.

As a coach, Swanson is excited to be part of a fast-growing sport that is opening doors for women who love football. “The trajectory of this sport is huge for all universities and those who get to participate,” he says. “I hope this team reflects the same joy and passion as the men’s team, leading to great competition.” Since 2022, the Vikings have invested more than $600,000 in girls’ flag football programs, working toward making it a sanctioned varsity sport in some Minnesota schools. The Vikings and the NFL’s support for the new collegiate league are part of a three-year plan aimed at helping schools build enough momentum to sustain the sport on their own.

Women’s flag football will launch as a club sport run by Bethel’s Office of Student Life and Bethel Student Government. Though it won’t begin as an official sport, the NCAA recently recommended flag football be added to its Emerging Sports for Women program—a designation that recognizes new sports with strong potential for growth and puts them on a pathway toward eventually earning full NCAA championship status.

Bethel will compete in three events with the other participating universities: Augustana University, Concordia College Moorhead, Gustavus Adolphus College, the University of Northwestern-St. Paul, and the University of Wisconsin-Stout. The final weekend will be a championship tournament at the Minnesota Vikings’ TCO Stadium in Eagan, Minnesota, on Saturday, April 26.

Flag football schedule

• Saturday, April 5—Jamboree at University of Northwestern-St. Paul
• Saturday, April 12—Jamboree at University of Wisconsin-Stout
• Saturday, April 26—Championship tournament at TCO Stadium

Compete and grow at Bethel.

At Bethel, athletics, intramural and club sports, and student-led activities provide students with opportunities to grow as leaders, build community, and challenge themselves in new ways. Women’s flag football is the latest way students can get involved—competing alongside classmates while making history in this exciting new league.

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