Women’s Flag Football Set for Historic First Game March 24
The wait is nearly over as Hartwick College prepares to kick off its first-ever women’s flag football game on Tuesday, March 24, at 4 p.m. at Wright Stadium.
The Hawks will face Elmira College in the program’s inaugural contest, marking the official start of the season and a significant milestone for the College’s newest team.
The launch has already generated regional attention, including coverage from WBNG-TV, whose report, “Hartwick women’s flag football team ready for historic first season,” highlighted the excitement surrounding the program’s debut. President Jim Mullen and President-elect Laurel Bongiorno will be in attendance for the honorary coin toss, underscoring the significance of the moment for the campus community.
Flag football continues to grow rapidly at both the high school and collegiate levels and the sport is set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games. The Empire 8 Conference announced in February 2025 that women’s flag football would become a conference-sponsored championship sport for the 2025–26 season in collaboration with the National Football League and RCX Sports. Competing programs include SUNY Brockport, SUNY Geneseo, Hartwick College, Elmira College and Russell Sage College, with St. John Fisher set to join in 2026–27.
Hartwick announced the addition of women’s flag football and men’s volleyball in December 2024, expanding its athletics offerings and creating new opportunities for student-athletes. Among those already making an impact is Ellie Kalbach ‘26, whose leadership reflects the program’s promise both on and off the field. Meet the entire women’s flag football team and coaching staff, and check out the full schedule, including four home games this season.
