Rocky Mount, NC. — North Carolina Wesleyan University will add women's flag football to its athletic offerings, with the Battling Bishops scheduled to begin competition in spring 2028 as a member of the USA South Athletic Conference.

Kenny Inge has been named the program's inaugural head coach. Wesleyan will begin recruiting student-athletes entering the university in fall 2027 as it builds its first roster.

"North Carolina Wesleyan is excited to announce that we will be starting a new athletic program, Women's Flag Football, in Spring 2028," said Director of Athletics John Thompson. "An emerging sport over the last several years, flag football is rapidly growing, and we believe the time is right to add to our sport offerings for women."

The announcement comes as women's flag football continues to grow across the state and at the collegiate level. In January 2026, the NCAA added the sport to its Emerging Sports for Women program. During the 2025–26 school year, 135 North Carolina high schools fielded women's flag football teams.

Wesleyan joins a growing list of North Carolina colleges and universities offering the sport, including Meredith College, Guilford College, Wingate University, Barton College, Lees-McRae College, Catawba College and Lenoir-Rhyne University. Meredith is currently the only other USA South member with a women's flag football program.

"We are excited to bring this growing sport to North Carolina Wesleyan and to provide another opportunity for women student-athletes to compete at the collegiate level," Thompson said. "We look forward to building a strong program and welcoming our inaugural student-athletes to Wesleyan."

More information about the program and recruiting opportunities will be shared through Wesleyan Athletics as it becomes available.