There are 17 teams in Neumann University’s new conference, the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC), and only two of them currently have a flag football team.
Should we be worried?
Luckily for Neumann, the switch to the MAC won’t happen until the 2026–27 academic year, giving the school time to weigh its options.
“It is too early to determine,” says Neumann Athletic Director John Krimmel.
So, for now, there’s no need to panic.
After making history this past season as part of the NCAA’s first-ever Division III flag football season, no one wants to see the team fold—and they won’t.
In the meantime, Neumann will continue competing in the Atlantic East Conference.
Still, it’s fair to ask: What does the future hold?
Krimmel outlined a few possibilities for where the flag football program could land. One option is that Neumann becomes an associate member of the Atlantic East after 2025–26, allowing the flag football team to remain in the same conference.
Another option is to join a completely different conference as an associate member, outside both the MAC and Atlantic East.
There’s also hope that the MAC will create its own flag football division. According to Krimmel, “It could happen relatively quickly due to the growth and popularity of the sport.”
That possibility may be closer than it seems.
“Once the sport is sponsored by five MAC institutions, then we consider that sport a conference sport and provide a championship opportunity,” says Megan Morrison, the executive director of the MAC.
Once the number of teams reaches 5 schools, it could take about only a year until this division can form, depending on the timing of the schools’ announcements.
Right now, only two teams have flag football. Just three more need to join to make a MAC championship possible.
With 15 other schools in the conference, I like those odds.
