NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent Sr. praised Nebraska Athletics Thursday night for being the first Power Four conference team to add women's flag football as a varsity sport.
The nation's most popular professional sports league has spent over five years advocating for the women's sport at the youth, high school and collegiate levels. To reach full championship status down the road, the sport must be sponsored by at least 40 schools at the varsity level and meet competition and participation standards, a threshold the NCAA says is within reach.
Vincent Jr. spoke during the university’s Sports Nightly radio show and told listeners that Nebraska’s women’s sports programs have always fostered elite student athletes.
“When you look at the institution today, it is a model for what young ladies can be and what they can aspire to be, when you look at the success that [UNL athletics] has had in multiple sports that are led by women,” said Vincent.
The Huskers Athletics Department announced the varsity addition of women’s flag football last week following the NCAA’s official endorsement of the sport the same day. Dannen said that the athletic department took advantage of the opportunity as part of the department's mission under Title IX.
“Nebraska has needed to expand its female participation opportunities. We've done a good job historically. And I think Nebraska has been a leader on the on the women's side,” he said. “You either reduce male opportunities or enhance female opportunities. And at Nebraska, the question is not to reduce, but it is to expand.”