Villa Maria College to offer flag football

The inaugural season will take place in the spring with Keith Wing, the Williamsville South flag football coach, leading the program, the college announced Wednesday.

“This is a really exciting opportunity that Villa Maria College is providing to female student-athletes,” Wing said. “The college is showing a lot of leadership and innovation in women’s athletics with this move. This is a great opportunity, and we’re really excited about the future.”

In Western New York, 15 programs competed in the first year of Section VI competition in the spring after a 12-team pilot program in 2021. That number figures to grow as flag football becomes a New York State Public High School Athletic Association championship sport in 2024.

Wing has recruited athletes locally, including Rochester, and has networked with coaches around the country to let them know what’s happening at Villa Maria. Athletes have contacted him, too.

He met with prospective players and their families by video conference or phone call to gauge the seriousness of their interest, and advised them to make sure Villa Maria offers the major they want.

As exciting as the idea of playing college flag football seems, Wing doesn’t want prospective athletes to forget about the school part of being a student-athlete.

“I’ve made connections with coaches in other states, in Philadelphia, Florida, and connections through NFL Flag,” Wing said. “They’ve all been generous in sharing some names, and when we created this program, players have sent their game film. Players from Arizona to Williamsville have let it be known they want to play collegiate…