Joliet Junior College (JJC) Athletics is proud to announce the addition of women's flag football as the newest athletic program at JJC. Currently, the expected start of competition is slated for the 2027-28 academic year.
"The addition of women's flag football further demonstrates JJC's commitment to expanding opportunities for women in collegiate athletics," said Gregg Braun, JJC athletic director. "With participation continuing to grow within our district, now is the perfect time for JJC to provide student-athletes with an opportunity to continue competing at the collegiate level."
JJC becomes just the third community college in Illinois and approximately the 38th National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) institution nationally to offer women's flag football, placing the Wolves at the forefront of one of collegiate athletics' most exciting emerging sports.
The announcement comes following a historic decision by the NJCAA Board of Regents, which voted in June 2026 to elevate women's flag football to official championship sport status. The move recognizes the explosive growth of the sport nationwide and creates new competitive opportunities for women's student-athletes at the collegiate level.
JJC will begin the process of recruiting student-athletes and establishing the program in preparation for its inaugural season in 2027-28. Additional information regarding coaching staff, recruiting opportunities, schedules and program details will be announced in the coming months.
Women's Flag Football Growth
What began with just 21 teams in 2021 has grown to more than 200 high school teams statewide, leading the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) to sanction the sport in 2024. By 2026, nearly 280 Illinois high schools were participating, demonstrating unprecedented growth and creating expanded opportunities for women's student-athletes across the state.
According to the National Federation of State High Schools Association (NFHS), girls flag football surpassed 100,000 participants nationwide in 2025-26, reaching 102,360 student-athletes at nearly 4,000 high schools, solidifying its position as one of the fastest-growing sports in
America. Participation continues to expand across the country, including throughout Illinois, where girls flag football has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sports in the state.
The NJCAA has experienced similar momentum. During the 2026-27 academic year, 33 member institutions sponsored women's flag football, with participation expected to continue increasing ahead of the inaugural NJCAA Women's Flag Football National Championship in 2027-28.
For Braun, the announcement represents the culmination of a vision that is years in the making.
"I sent my first email regarding women's flag football on July 24, 2024," said Braun. "I want to thank Dr. Angie Kaysen-Luzbetak, Dr. Karl Brooks and Dr. Clyne Namuo; through their support and leadership, the goal and dream of bringing this incredible and rapidly growing sport to Joliet Junior College has finally become a reality." Since being named director of athletics in 2019, Braun has overseen significant growth within JJC Athletics. Women's flag football becomes the ninth sport program added during his tenure, further strengthening JJC's position as one of the premier non-scholarship community college athletic programs in the nation.
Braun also expressed gratitude to key partners who helped make the addition possible.
"I would like to personally thank Gustavo Silva and the Chicago Bears organization for their support throughout this process," Braun said. "Gustavo has been an incredible resource and a tremendous advocate as we explored what was necessary to successfully launch this program. The Chicago Bears continue to invest in the growth of girls and women's flag football, and their support of our efforts at Joliet Junior College has been invaluable. Their commitment is already making an immediate impact on the future success of our women's flag football program."
The addition of women's flag football reflects JJC's continued commitment to providing exceptional educational and athletic opportunities while responding to the evolving interests of student-athletes throughout the region.
