By: Mark Reinhiller
Learn More About Athletics at COD
College of DuPage will launch its inaugural season of women’s flag football during the 2025-26 academic year, thanks in part to a $10,000 grant from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Foundation.“The NJCAA Foundation is excited for the continued growth of women’s flag football at the two-year level. Through this partnership with NFL Flag and Reigning Champs Experiences, we are able to provide more resources and opportunities for student-athletes wanting to participate in women’s flag,” said Brian Luckett, NJCAA Foundation Executive Director. “The NJCAA Women’s Flag Football Grant assists NJCAA member colleges in starting flag football programs while expanding sport opportunities at the two-year level.”
COD Director of Athletics and Recreation Ryan Kaiser said the College’s flag football program will create additional post-secondary athletic opportunities in the area. Currently, with Chicago Public Schools boasting more than 100 teams throughout the Chicago area, the College’s program will allow female student-athletes to continue playing their chosen sport at Illinois’ largest community college.
“Adding a burgeoning sport like flag football creates opportunities for young women to play their chosen sport while pursuing a career through higher education,” he said. “Flag football is growing throughout Illinois and COD is proud to play an integral role in its growth.”
The addition of flag football, which will be a non-scholarship sport, will increase the College’s number of athletic teams to 22.
College of DuPage Dr. Brian Caputo expressed his excitement for the expanded athletic option COD now offers prospective female students.
"COD strives to create opportunities for our students to be successful both in and out of the classroom," he said. "I thank the NJCAA Foundation for its confidence in the College and its Athletics program, and we look forward to the continued success of our student athletes.”
The mission of the NJCAA Foundation is to enhance the NJCAA national organization, student-athletes, member colleges and local communities through financial support, scholarships, program initiatives and community service.
RCX Sports is the premier youth-sports experiences business, running and operating leagues, camps, combines, tournaments and events.
RCX works with professional leagues, national governing bodies, sports-centric businesses and brands to re-imagine youth sports experiences. RCX produces events with world-class partners including the NFL, Jr. NBA, NAIA, Rivals.com and the 2022 World Games.
NFL FLAG is an NFL-licensed property of more than 1,600 locally operated leagues and over 500,000 youth athletes across all 50 states. NFL FLAG is a fun and accessible non-contact program available for girls and boys ages 5 to 17. Players benefit by being physically active through non-contact, continuous action while learning the fundamentals of football as well as lessons in teamwork and sportsmanship. RCX Sports is the official operator of NFL FLAG.
For information, contact Ryan Kaiser at (630) 942-2895 or kaiserr2964@cod.edu.