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The future of girls flag football in Minnesota remains uncertain as the state high school league board delays a decision on sanctioning the sport.
BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. — The future of girls flag football in Minnesota remains undecided after the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Board of Directors voted Tuesday to delay action on a proposal that could eventually lead to the sport becoming officially sanctioned.
The board voted to table an application seeking emerging sport status for girls flag football, directing league staff to gather more information and conduct a survey and data before revisiting the issue at a future meeting this fall.
The proposal drew nearly two hours of discussion and testimony from students, athletic directors, coaches, and school officials. Representatives from the Minnesota Vikings were in attendance. The team has invested roughly $2 million in growing access to the sport.
Following the vote, Brett Taber, the Vikings' vice president of social impact, called the decision disappointing but said it would not change the organization's commitment to the sport or the athletes advocating for it. Taber says the sport is already thriving in Minnesota schools and provides opportunities for students who may not otherwise participate in athletics.
Taber says the sport has a relatively low startup cost, academic benefits for students and growing national popularity. Across the country, 23 states have sanctioned flag football as a high school sport. And, it will be an Olympic sport come 2028.
According to data from the Vikings, 104 Minnesota schools fielded teams during the most recent season.
At St. Paul Central High School, Athletic Director Alicia Ekegren said more than 60 students tried out for the school's team.
"What has been most remarkable in our community is how flag football created opportunity," Ekegren said. "Flag football opened the door for young women who never saw themselves as athletes or ever felt like they belonged."
Several student-athletes also spoke in support of the proposal.
Sydney McGary Walters of St. Louis Park High School called the discussion "a reminder of how far women in sports have come and how far we can continue to go."
Camden High School senior Kaylynn Caldwell Johnson told board members she only played volleyball before trying flag football. Now, she will continue her football career at the College of Saint Benedict after being recruited to play.
"I was once a burnt-out one-sport athlete that will be forever grateful for flag football," Caldwell said.
Current collegiate athletes also testified, saying growth at the high school level would help create stronger youth programs and expand opportunities for future players.
The proposal before the board sought emerging sport status, which serves as the first step toward eventual sanctioning. Under the process, the league would gather information and establish standards before the MSHSL Representative Assembly would vote on whether to fully sanction the sport.
Several board members said they support girls flag football but still have questions about how it would operate, including Boardmember Keith Cornell.
"I still have too many questions," Cornell said.
Boardmember Kristi Peterson said she strongly supports expanding opportunities for students but voiced concerns about costs, participation impacts on other spring girl sports and the financial realities facing school districts.
"I don't think this is something we need to hurry and make decisions today," Peterson said while making the motion to table the proposal.
Boardmember Leroy Fairbanks told attendees he appreciated the speakers and said hearing from athletes had influenced his position.
Board members also discussed concerns raised by schools regarding scheduling and whether the sport would ultimately be played in the spring or fall.
The MSHSL board is expected to revisit the issue after additional information is collected and presented later this year.
MSHSL history of sanctioning girl sports is complex
Tuesday's debate sparked thoughts of the history of some girls sports.
The Minnesota Association of Dance Teams says they began having competitions back in the 1970's. However, the MSHSL Representative Assembly didn't vote to make dance team a league-sponsored activity until 1996.
Minnesota identifies as the State of Hockey. In 1989, Minnesota Hockey hosted its first Girls State Tournament. Minnesota then became the first state to sanction girls high school hockey in 1994. There were 35 schools in the first official season, according to Minnesota Hockey.
