Triton College Building Women’s Flag Football Program for 2027 Debut

RIVER GROVE, Ill. — Triton College is expanding opportunities for student-athletes as the institution begins recruiting student-athletes for its first women's flag football program, which will begin competition in spring 2027.

Led by Head Coach Araic Anderson, the program offers young women the opportunity to compete in one of the nation's fastest-growing collegiate sports while pursuing their academic goals at Triton College.

Anderson is a coach, mentor and multisport athlete with more than 12 years of coaching experience across basketball, volleyball and flag football. Known for her passion for player development and leadership, she has dedicated her career to helping athletes succeed both on and off the field.

“The opportunity to present women’s flag football on the collegiate level can change the perspective of young women,” Anderson said. “They can see that they have a collegiate opportunity right in their neighborhood and don’t have to leave the state to compete at a higher level.”

As the Trojans prepare for their inaugural season, recruits will have a unique opportunity to help establish the culture and identity of Triton’s first women’s flag football team, Anderson added.

“It’s nothing like a startup opportunity to be able to say, ‘We’re gearing up to create history on a college campus,’” Anderson said. “To be part of a fresh program and help establish the culture from day one is an experience that doesn’t come around often.”

A native of Chicago’s South Side, Anderson is also a professional tackle football player for the Chicago Winds of the Women’s National Football Conference and serves as head flag football coach at Proviso East High School in Maywood.

Interest in women’s flag football continues to grow nationally and more colleges are adding competitive programs, including Triton, said Director of Athletics A.J. Blahut. With the NJCAA expecting 33 institutions to sponsor women’s flag football during the 2026-27 academic year, community colleges are creating new opportunities for student-athletes to compete while earning a certificate or degree.

As the sport continues to gain momentum, Triton can provide student-athletes with a local pathway to continue playing a sport and further their education. The sport not only expands athletic opportunities for women but also creates new avenues for enrollment and student engagement.

 "For many young women in Illinois, Triton is creating a bridge between high school flag football and four-year universities. Student-athletes can develop their skills, gain game film, and transfer to NCAA or NAIA programs as the sport continues to expand nationwide,” Anderson said. “That’s the door Triton is opening — giving athletes an opportunity to build a legacy while following a purposeful athletic and academic roadmap that prepares every student-athlete to compete, lead and succeed at the highest level possible; both on and off the field.”

Triton currently fields women’s programs in basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball and track and field. Flag football will begin as an invitational sport, meaning teams may qualify for a national invitational tournament but will not initially compete for NJCAA championships.

Students interested in participating in women’s flag football at Triton College should contact Anderson at ciaraanderson@triton.edu.

For more information about Women’s Flag Football at Triton College, visit tritonathletics.com.

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Media Contacts:
Melissa Ramirez Cooper | melissacooper@triton.edu | 708-456-0300, Ext. 3496
Hunter Oberst | hunteroberst@triton.edu | 708-456-0300, Ext. 3820

ABOUT TRITON COLLEGE:
Triton College, located at 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove, is a public institution of higher education dedicated to student success. Recently recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the Top 200 community colleges in the nation, Triton offers more than 130 degree and certificate programs that prepare students to pursue meaningful careers, transfer to four-year universities, and thrive in a global economy. Guided by our mission—Valuing the individual, educating and serving the community—Triton serves nearly 17,000 students annually on its 110-acre campus in River Grove, Illinois. Our dedicated faculty and staff provide high-quality, accessible and affordable educational opportunities that empower students and strengthens the communities we serve. Triton College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of The Illinois Community College Board. Illinois is home to 45 colleges in 39 community college districts. Learn more at triton.edu.