$1,000,000 grant from the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) enables the creation of a collegiate women’s flag football league.
Mount St. Mary’s University’s women’s flag football team will join the ECAC’s groundbreaking new league, funded by a $1,000,000 grant from the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation. The ECAC’s women’s flag football league will be the largest in the nation, with 15 member schools at its opening.
“We’re thrilled at the opportunity this presents for our women’s team. Thanks to the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation’s generous grant, we’ll be competing on a regional level with other cutting-edge teams across the Northeast,” said Head Flag Football Coach Sandi James.
Mount St. Mary’s University made history at the start of the 2025-26 academic year by launching the first women’s flag football team at a Division 1 school in the Northeast.
The grant from the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation is directed by Woody Johnson, chairman of the New York Jets. They previously sponsored the creation of a highly successful flag football high school girl’s program as well.
The league’s first season is set to open next spring, with a Media Day at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium in February as a kickoff. Games will be played in the 7-on-7 format of flag football.