Fiesta Bowl Flag Football Classic makes case for college-level sport

The future of flag football has arrived. The Fiesta Bowl Flag Football Classic presented by Oakley, held from April 18-19 at Arizona State University in Tempe, was the first-ever Division I collegiate flag football tournament, marking a historic moment for the sport. The weekend event was televised and streamed live by ESPN networks.

Arizona State, Grand Canyon University, the University of Southern California, Florida, UCF, Georgia, Charlotte and Alabama State were the participating schools. UCF won, taking down Florida 19-7 in the championship game on Sunday. It was an all-Florida final, fitting for the state that first sanctioned the sport at the high school level in 2003.

“This is a huge stepping stone to flag football being recognized as an NCAA sport, and eventually becoming a professional sport,” UCF club coach Brandon Baroody said. Arizona State club coach Jesse Pap said ''The momentum is unstoppable” for the sport at the college level. "To me, what this weekend is, is a chance for all these universities to show the NCAA, and their own universities, ‘We’re ready for varsity status.

’ There’s a pipeline of players ready. There’s good coaches who will teach. It’s ready,'' Pap said.