Flag football is one of the fastest growing sports in America. It is set to become an Olympic sport in 2028. At the highschool level there was an increase of 32% participation from the 2022 season to the 2023 season. Currently 7 states sponsor a state championship, and Illinois is looking to become the eighth.
Tuesday, November 7th was the first meeting held by the IHSA Legislative Commision to hear proposals for flag football including contest and season limits. Tracy Henry, Vice President of the IHSA, stated, “This proposal will [then] be presented to the…Athletic Director from our member schools.” Next it will go through a round of voting from both the Commissions and the member schools. Henry went on and said, “Votes will be tallied on December 19. So we will not officially know if flag football will become a State Series sport until December 19th.”
Currently 32 schools in Illinois have an established flag football program out of 777 member schools. Most of these schools are in the Chicago area as the Bears NFL team has led a large push for the sport.
Here at Monticello, Powder Puff is a cherished tradition, but it could become something more. If a State Series is made for the sport, Monticello will look at giving it a true season.. Athletic Director Dan Sheehan stated, “We would have to gauge interest within our school and see what, if any, potential impact it could have on our existing programs.”
Adding an additional sport to the fall season has its own set of challenges. The fall season currently has 5 sports for girls to potentially participate in. Sheehan stated, “We would want to sustain these sports as well.” Also within the school it would need School Board support for costs of uniforms, flags, equipment, helmets and coaches.
Though this new sport would come with its challenges, it is supported within the school. Junior Brenna Bartlow stated, “I love playing sports that I have seen other people play. I’ve grown up watching the football boys play every Friday night. It’s a new opportunity for a lot of people. It is so new and so fresh. We can’t overlook the opportunity of starting something new.”
Megan Allen, Staff Writer
allme25@sages.us
Source:Reese, Izell, and Michael Reimel. “Flag Football: Gaining Yardage Worldwide.” Sports Destination Management, http://www.sportsdestinations.com/sports/football/flag-football-gaining-yardage-worldwide-32986#:~:text=On%20the%20youth%20level%2C%20flag,are%20in%20the%20planning%20stages. Accessed 9 Nov. 2023.
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