Immaculata University Ushers in Collegiate Women’s Flag Football with AEC

If last season’s inaugural Atlantic East Conference (AEC) women’s varsity flag football tournament at Immaculata was just the appetizer, then the launch of the AEC’s first full NCAA season is the main course fans have been eagerly waiting for. Satisfying the appetite for more, the Mighty Macs’ women’s flag football team launches their first full season on Friday, March 7, with a road game versus Centenary University.

Immaculata University’s women’s flag football program is joined by other Atlantic East Conference members that include Centenary, Gwynedd Mercy, Marymount, Marywood and Neumann Universities. Affiliate members include Eastern University, Holy Family University and Penn State Schuylkill.

Rebecca Mullen, interim commissioner of the AEC, recently told the “Daily Local News,” “We are thrilled to lead the charge in bringing Women’s Flag Football to the NCAA stage. This initiative not only highlights the increasing demand for competitive opportunities in women’s sports but also aligns with our mission for an inclusive experience for our conference student athletes.”

The media attention and hype surrounding the AEC’s women’s flag football season, which is the first NCAA conference, at any level, to offer women’s varsity flag football, has been more than expected for Division III competition.

Four Immaculata University players and their head coach represented the University at a media day held at Lincoln Financial Field, home to the Philadelphia Eagles, to launch the first full season. The fact that the Eagles recently won the Super Bowl was not lost on these young women who hope to capture their own football championship.

Women’s flag football team players who attended Media Day (L to R): Samantha Rivera, Ashanti Leon, Natalie Dodd and Jessica Elliott.

Immaculata sophomore Natalie Dodd, an elementary/special education major who plays quarterback, rusher and punter, was among the IU students who participated in the media day, along with Jessica Elliott ’25 (sociology major, center and linebacker), Ashanti Leon ’26 (nursing major, center and linebacker), Samantha Rivera ’26 (political science/criminology, wide receiver) and their Head Coach Joe Trainer.

Trainer understands the significance of what Immaculata and the other AEC-member universities are accomplishing before they ever take the field. He shared that for the majority of his 30-year coaching career, women were not involved in football. Looking around the room, he acknowledged the student-athletes. “This is really cool. Your involvement in this amazing and momentous opportunity to play [flag football] could springboard you into leadership positions, so kudos to all of you.”

Leon, who had never been to Lincoln Financial Field, said the event was a “Once in a lifetime experience.” Elliott, a lifelong Eagles fan who always dreamed of playing football, shared that this opportunity—especially media day—lets her “live out that dream” of playing football and getting a behind-the-scenes look at what the professional players experience on game day.

All four players participated in the 2024 tournament. In fact, Dodd made history that day by scoring the first touchdown, a first quarter rush to put the team up 7-0, in NCAA women’s varsity flag football history. Relying on these veteran athletes will help acclimate the other players to collegiate flag football. Elliott noted the challenge and importance of staying mentally prepared.

“Going in, making sure we’re mentally ready when we show up at these other schools,” is vital according to Elliott. “I think the team will come together. Sisters supporting sisters!”

Having played flag football at Archbishop Ryan High School, Dodd is a leader on the team. Although she recognizes that injuries are a part of sports, she was disappointed to have sustained a recent injury. Now that she has fully recovered and is back on the field, Dodd admits that the thought of playing without being afraid is probably her biggest challenge.

Looking toward the future of the sport, Trainer envisions its continued growth, with the possibility of it one day becoming a professional female sport. His players, along with Assistant Coach Bill Coddington ’15 Ed.D., share this vision and are excited to be part of its evolution. For now, however, they are focused on a groundbreaking milestone: launching the NCAA’s first women’s flag football program.

Regarding the excitement surrounding the inaugural season, Rivera stated, “Now, this is real. Last year we had a game, but it was only one day. Now, this year, it feels more real; now we’re getting talked about.”

Come out to support the women’s flag football team this season.

View coverage of media day from 6ABC news in Philadelphia.