The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference announced Thursday it has added Mississippi Valley State University and Gardner-Webb University as associate members in women’s flag football. The two schools will begin competition in the 2026-27 academic year, joining four full members — Delaware State, Maryland Eastern Shore, Norfolk State and North Carolina Central.
“We are excited to welcome Mississippi Valley State and Gardner-Webb to the MEAC as associate members in women’s flag football,” said MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills. “Their addition strengthens our presence in this emerging sport and reflects our continued commitment to expanding its championship opportunities for women. We look forward to establishing a competitive and collaborative flag football environment as the sport continues to take shape at the collegiate level.”
Women’s flag football is an NCAA Emerging Sport and aims to pursue NCAA championship status, with the potential to host its first championship as early as spring 2028. The sport is also set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, highlighting its rapid growth and increasing global recognition.
“Joining the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference as an associate member for women’s flag football is a historic milestone for Mississippi Valley State,” said Dr. Alecia Shields-Gadson, director of athletics at Mississippi Valley State. “We are thrilled to be at the forefront of this movement, providing our student-athletes a monumental stage to compete in an emerging sport that is capturing global attention ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games. We are honored to partner with the MEAC in building opportunities for the continued success of women in athletics.”
Brendan Fahey, Gardner-Webb vice president for athletics, added, “We are extremely excited for our flag football team to compete in its inaugural season and are grateful for the opportunity to become an associate member of the MEAC. This is an incredible opportunity for our student-athletes and our university, and we are proud to begin this journey as part of such a historic conference. We look forward to competing at the highest level and representing Gardner-Webb and the MEAC with pride as we build a strong foundation for our program.”
With the addition of Mississippi Valley State and Gardner-Webb, the MEAC will field six teams in women’s flag football during its first season in 2026-27. Details about championship formats and operational plans will be announced later.
The MEAC, now entering its 56th year of competition, is headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia. It includes eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities along the Atlantic coast. The conference has focused on academic excellence, sportsmanship and student-athlete growth since its founding in 1970.
