College of Saint Benedict Introduces Flag Football in Spring 2026
Exciting news has emerged from the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, as they prepare to launch their inaugural flag football team this spring. The announcement was made on October 20, 2025, marking a significant step towards promoting women's sports at the institution.
The college has formed a partnership with the Minnesota Vikings, the state's NFL team, to introduce this rapidly growing sport into their athletic program. This initiative responds to the increasing popularity of flag football across the country, particularly in Minnesota, where women's youth football has gained considerable traction in recent years.
CSB Athletic Director Kelly Anderson Diercks expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "We are thrilled to bring flag football to the College of Saint Benedict. It's one of the fastest-growing sports across the country and in Minnesota. With the support of the NFL, and flag's inclusion in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, the future is very bright for the growth of the game."
The College of Saint Benedict will join the Midwest College Women's Flag Football League, which is entering its second season. The league currently includes other institutions like Augsburg, Concordia-Moorhead, Bethel, Gustavus, Northwestern (Minnesota), Augustana (South Dakota), and Wisconsin-Stout, all of which participated in the league's inaugural year.
Kara Kolomitz, CSB and SJU’s Chief Operating Officer, highlighted the college’s commitment to expanding opportunities for women. She remarked, "Expanding opportunities for women is the foundation of the College of Saint Benedict, and how perfect is it when the opportunity brings true and spirited joy. Flag football at Saint Ben's is an added dose of vibrancy to our storied athletics program and campus."
The Minnesota Vikings have actively supported the growth of girls’ and women’s flag football, investing over $1 million in various initiatives since 2022. Brett Taber, the Vikings Vice President of Social Impact, stated, "The Minnesota Vikings are honored to have the College of Saint Benedict join the growing movement of women’s flag football. CSB and other schools participating in this initiative will bring greater awareness to the future of women's football and empower a new generation of athletes to pursue competitive opportunities in this sport."
As part of their efforts to enhance enrollment through athletics and club sports, the college has already attracted 25 first-year students interested in joining the flag football team during an involvement fair. Director Anderson Diercks expressed excitement about this strong interest, noting, "To have 25 athletes in one class show interest like that is really exciting. We can already see there is going to be a lot of interest in flag football on this campus."
First-year student Alaina Pundsack, who was an All-State pick at Mounds View High School, shared her eagerness to contribute to the new program. "I'm so happy to be part of a team of women who are excited to play football and who are ready to work their hardest and bring something new to Saint Ben's," she said.
Flag football is recognized as the fastest-growing new sport in high schools across the United States. As of summer 2025, 17 states have officially sanctioned girls' flag football, while an additional 17 states are presently piloting similar programs.
The introduction of a flag football team at the College of Saint Benedict adds to the storied sports tradition at the institution, which is already enhanced by the strong football program at the nearby Saint John's University. The commitment of CSB to grow its athletics through new programs like flag football aligns perfectly with its goal of attracting young talent to its campus. "This is another amazing opportunity to bring great young people to these incredible campuses," said Anderson Diercks, expressing hope for a bright future for Bennie football.
Overall, the launch of the flag football program at the College of Saint Benedict is an exciting development for both the college and women's sports in the area. With support from the Vikings and a burgeoning interest among students, the future of flag football at CSB looks promising and vibrant.
The college has formed a partnership with the Minnesota Vikings, the state's NFL team, to introduce this rapidly growing sport into their athletic program. This initiative responds to the increasing popularity of flag football across the country, particularly in Minnesota, where women's youth football has gained considerable traction in recent years.
CSB Athletic Director Kelly Anderson Diercks expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "We are thrilled to bring flag football to the College of Saint Benedict. It's one of the fastest-growing sports across the country and in Minnesota. With the support of the NFL, and flag's inclusion in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, the future is very bright for the growth of the game."
The College of Saint Benedict will join the Midwest College Women's Flag Football League, which is entering its second season. The league currently includes other institutions like Augsburg, Concordia-Moorhead, Bethel, Gustavus, Northwestern (Minnesota), Augustana (South Dakota), and Wisconsin-Stout, all of which participated in the league's inaugural year.
Kara Kolomitz, CSB and SJU’s Chief Operating Officer, highlighted the college’s commitment to expanding opportunities for women. She remarked, "Expanding opportunities for women is the foundation of the College of Saint Benedict, and how perfect is it when the opportunity brings true and spirited joy. Flag football at Saint Ben's is an added dose of vibrancy to our storied athletics program and campus."
The Minnesota Vikings have actively supported the growth of girls’ and women’s flag football, investing over $1 million in various initiatives since 2022. Brett Taber, the Vikings Vice President of Social Impact, stated, "The Minnesota Vikings are honored to have the College of Saint Benedict join the growing movement of women’s flag football. CSB and other schools participating in this initiative will bring greater awareness to the future of women's football and empower a new generation of athletes to pursue competitive opportunities in this sport."
As part of their efforts to enhance enrollment through athletics and club sports, the college has already attracted 25 first-year students interested in joining the flag football team during an involvement fair. Director Anderson Diercks expressed excitement about this strong interest, noting, "To have 25 athletes in one class show interest like that is really exciting. We can already see there is going to be a lot of interest in flag football on this campus."
First-year student Alaina Pundsack, who was an All-State pick at Mounds View High School, shared her eagerness to contribute to the new program. "I'm so happy to be part of a team of women who are excited to play football and who are ready to work their hardest and bring something new to Saint Ben's," she said.
Flag football is recognized as the fastest-growing new sport in high schools across the United States. As of summer 2025, 17 states have officially sanctioned girls' flag football, while an additional 17 states are presently piloting similar programs.
The introduction of a flag football team at the College of Saint Benedict adds to the storied sports tradition at the institution, which is already enhanced by the strong football program at the nearby Saint John's University. The commitment of CSB to grow its athletics through new programs like flag football aligns perfectly with its goal of attracting young talent to its campus. "This is another amazing opportunity to bring great young people to these incredible campuses," said Anderson Diercks, expressing hope for a bright future for Bennie football.
Overall, the launch of the flag football program at the College of Saint Benedict is an exciting development for both the college and women's sports in the area. With support from the Vikings and a burgeoning interest among students, the future of flag football at CSB looks promising and vibrant.
Topics Sports）
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