Sparkill, N.Y. - Building on the momentum of a standout inaugural campaign, St. Thomas Aquinas College has announced that its women's flag football program will join the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC)/New York Jets Flag Football League beginning with the 2027 season, marking a significant step forward for the rapidly growing sport at the collegiate level.

The program enters the new conference following a 2026 season that saw an eight-game schedule, with the Spartans claiming six victories, including wins over Iona University, the University at Albany, Kean University, Post University, Mount Saint Mary College, and Long Island University.

"We're excited to join the ECAC/NY Jets Women's Flag Football League beginning in the 2026-27 season," stated St. Thomas Aquinas College Director of Athletics Margaret Alaimo. "This partnership creates meaningful new opportunities for our student-athletes to compete at a high level while continuing to grow both individually and as a program. Aligning with the ECAC and the New York Jets is a tremendous step forward, as both organizations have demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding women's flag football. We look forward to competing in the league and contributing to the continued momentum of women's flag football."

"This is a tremendous opportunity for our program, and our players are excited to compete in the ECAC/NY Jets Women's Flag Football League beginning in the 2026-27 season," remarked Head Coach Joshua Maurer. "Every coach wants to give their student-athletes the chance to compete against quality opponents and continue developing their game, and this partnership does exactly that. The ECAC and the New York Jets have been outstanding advocates for women's flag football, and we're proud to be part of a league that's helping move the sport forward. It's an exciting time, and we're looking forward to competing at a high level, and continuing to grow our program."

Established in the spring of 2026, the ECAC/Jets Flag Football League stands as the nation's largest collegiate women's flag football circuit. The league was launched with the support of a $1 million grant from the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation and New York Jets owner Woody Johnson. Ahead of the 2027 season, the ECAC expects to have a 32-team league, with four divisions of eight teams playing roughly a dozen conference games, culminating in a postseason championship involving every team over the last week of April and the first week of May at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

St. Thomas Aquinas College's entry into ECAC competition enhances the college's athletic profile and reflects the continued expansion and formalization of women's flag football across the United States. The ECAC has emerged as a key organizing body in providing competitive opportunities and structure for emerging sports, including flag football.

In addition, the NCAA Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact recently recommended that all three NCAA divisions sponsor legislation to establish a National Collegiate Women’s Flag Football Championship. Each division will vote in January, and if approved, the first NCAA championships would begin in spring 2028.