(First written for the Women’s National Football Conference’s HERgame Magazine)
Flag Football is now a NAIA scholarship sport in 15 universities in the United States.
A partnership between the NAIA, the National Football League (NFL) and Reigning Champs Experiences (RCX) introduced flag football in June 2020 as an emerging sport. The first institutions to compete are in the states of California, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Tennessee, Kansas (3), and Florida (5).
“Football is for everyone,” NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent said. “This groundbreaking and historic joint venture provides an opportunity for the values, fun and competitive environment of football to be enjoyed as a varsity sport by female student-athletes attending NAIA institutions across America.”
The Women’s National Football Conference comprises world-class athletes and coaches who build a more equal future for our next generation. The addition of NAIA Flag Football, not only creates a pipeline for future WNFC athletes, but also creates opportunities for coaches to pass on their knowledge, experience, and passion.
Leaders in both NAIA flag football and WNFC tackle football, Angellica Grayson, Jaison Jones, and Liz Sowers, communicated their thoughts on year one of the NAIA sport. The coaches shared the sentiment that this new opportunity is about more than the game itself, they look to create positive change in the lives of their players and the world. They spoke about the future growth of the game and on how the addition of NAIA flag will continue to create more opportunities for females in football. Before the inaugural season begins, read on for an NAIA coaches inside perspective on the 2021 NAIA flag football season.
Coach Angellica Grayson is the first head flag football coach for the University of Saint Mary. She is also a WNFC’s Texas Elite Spartans linebacker who has received awards in women’s tackle football including the first class of Women’s Hall of Fame 2018 and a World Gold Medal for Team USA in 2017. Not only is she a player with the TES, she also is considered a “Player Coach” where she plays and coaches while fulfilling both roles as she slowly transitions to another part of football. Grayson was recently named one of the flag football ambassadors as she traveled to Egypt to add being an international coach to her resume and to share the love of football.
Grayson graduated from Grambling State University with a B.S. in Kinesiology, a concentration in sport management and a coaching minor. While there she joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and was voted the captain of her volleyball team.
Coach Liz Sowers, along with working as the inaugural head women’s flag football coach for Ottawa University, also plays quarterback for the Kansas City Glory in the WNFC. Sowers’ experience includes Team USA’s Flag Football, Sevens Rugby and Tackle Football. Sowers was a selected participant at the NFL’s Women’s Careers in Football Forum and has served as Heads-Up Football Assistant Master Trainer for USA Football.
Sowers completed her undergraduate study at Oakland University and earned a Master of Arts degree in Higher Education with an emphasis in Sports Administration at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Jaison Jones grew up playing football and track along with enjoying other sports in his hometown of Kansas City. He attended MidAmerica Nazarene University. After a few years of playing college football, Jaison found his true purpose in coaching.
Coach Jones joins Midland University after a history of coaching both flag and tackle football. His previous experience includes Pop Warner and at the middle school and high school levels. Jasion is a former Kansas City Titans coach and currently coaches for Nebraska Nitehawks and has been in the Omaha area for 7 years.