Staten Island, NY – Wagner College Director of Athletics Brendan Fahey has announced the addition of women's flag football as a club sport, starting with the 2024-25 academic year.
 
In a corresponding move, Tommy DeAngelis has been tabbed as the Seahawks' head coach.
 
"We are excited to bring women's flag football to Wagner," Fahey commented. "Flag football is an emerging sport that is already very well represented in the New York City area. Adding a club sport alongside our existing varsity programs will greatly enhance our student experience at Wagner."
 
The program will begin recruiting immediately, with competition at the club level starting in the spring of 2025.
 
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently approved men's and women's flag football as an Olympic sport, starting with the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Unlike the traditional game of football, flag football is a non-contact sport.
 
In the New York City area, multiple high schools have added flag football as a sport.
 
A Staten Island native, DeAngelis serves as the girls and women's league director for Next Level Flag Football on Staten Island and is the head coach for the St. Joseph by the Sea High School Girls Flag Football program, which helped pave the way for the CHSAA Girl's Flag football league.
 
"I would like to thank President Araimo and Brendan Fahey for giving us this opportunity to get this program started," DeAngelis added. "I am excited see what the future has in store for this new adventure."
 
Under DeAngelis' and Richie Milo's leadership, Next Level Flag Football has grown into one of the largest girls flag football leagues in New York.
 
Additionally, Thomas DeAngelis Jr., Craig Sampson, and Anthony Martinez will join the Wagner staff.
 
Prospective students can click here to fill out the questionnaire.