July 20, 2021

FGC Announces New Varsity Women’s Flag Football Program

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LAKE CITY, Fla. – Florida Gateway College is proud to announce the addition of women’s flag football beginning in the 2022-23 academic year. FGC is the recipient of a $10,000 grant provided by the NJCAA Foundation, NFL FLAG, and RCX Sports to help grow the sport and expand women’s sports at the institution.

“We are excited to offer our local area a new opportunity in the emerging sport of women’s flag football,” said Rebecca Golden, FGC Athletic Director. “There are over 7,000 women in the state of Florida playing flag football and we are looking forward to growing the sport in our part of the state.”

The Timberwolves’ inaugural season for women’s flag football will be in the spring of 2023. The college will host their home games at the recently acquired Boys Club of Columbia County, a program that the late Lake City resident, Pat Summerall, helped establish.

“We are excited to add another unique growing sport at FGC and are especially excited to utilize the former boys club in another multipurpose use,” said Dr. Lawrence Barrett, President of Florida Gateway College. The property maintains an indoor training facility, classrooms, and a regulation football field. The college now has the opportunity to extend the legacy of Mr. Summerall and bring flag football to North Florida.

FGC currently sponsors four varsity athletic programs: women’s cross country, women’s volleyball, men’s basketball, and eSports. FGC competes at the Division II level in NJCAA Region 8.

“The NJCAA Foundation is passionate about the value women’s flag football brings to institutions’ overall growth, the student-athlete experience, and equality across playing fields,” stated Brian Luckett, NJCAA Foundation Executive Director. “This is an opportunity for women of the association to compete at the highest level and we are fortunate to work hand in hand with NFL FLAG and RCX Sports during this exciting time.”

RCX Sports, the official operating partner of NFL FLAG and the NAIA women’s flag football initiative, works to enhance the youth sports experience for athletes all around the world.

“RCX is dedicated to creating opportunities for all athletes to play and so that every child can gain important life skills only learned through sports,” said RCX Sports CEO and NFL FLAG Executive Director Izell Reese. “Through NJCAA women’s flag football, young women will not only be able to compete, they’ll earn a valuable education that will set them up for success after college.”

FGC has become one of 11 NJCAA member colleges to receive the grant to ignite a women’s flag football program and provide opportunity.

“The NJCAA expanding NFL Flag opportunities for female student athletes at member institutions demonstrates clearly that football is for all,” said Executive Vice President of NFL Football Operations Troy Vincent, Sr. “The values, fun and competitive environment of football can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone who wishes to participate. It is exciting to see junior colleges offer NFL FLAG as a varsity sport to female athletes.”

For updates and more information on FGC Athletics, call 386-754-4271 or visit https://www.fgc.edu/life-at-  fgc/athletics/.

ABOUT NJCAA FOUNDATION

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. 

ABOUT RCX SPORTS

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 reimagine youth sports experiences. RCX produces events with world-class partners including the NFL, Jr. NBA, NAIA, Rivals.com and the 2022 World Games.

RCX is committed to improving the accessibility and inclusivity of sports by enhancing the youth sports experience and creating opportunities for all athletes to play. We believe sports have the power to transform lives and that every athlete should have the opportunity to experience the value of sports. For more information, visit www.rcxsports.com.

ABOUT NFL FLAG

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 5-17. 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.