HPU adds women’s flag football, first collegiate program in Hawaii

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Pacific University is adding women’s flag football, becoming the first university in the state to offer the sport at the collegiate level.

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The program will begin this fall as part of HPU’s NCAA Division II athletics program.

School officials said women’s flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country and was added to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program earlier this year. The sport is also set to debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

“This is a great day for HPU and for women’s athletics in Hawaii,” said HPU Executive Director of Athletics Debbie Snell. “Flag football expands opportunities for our female student-athletes and adds even more energy and passion to campus life.”

The addition brings HPU to 11 women’s sports programs, along with six men’s sports and co-ed cheer.

HPU said the team will practice on the field adjacent to Shark Tank, with its first student-athletes joining the program this fall.

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Officials said the university plans to compete in the Pacific West Conference, pending scheduling, with possible additional games against club and post-high-school teams.

An announcement regarding the program’s first head coach is expected at a later date.

Prospective student-athletes are encouraged to apply to HPU as soon as possible and to identify themselves to admissions as flag football recruits.

For more information, email [email protected] or leave a voicemail for athletics director Debbie Snell at (808) 544-0209.

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