CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 12, 2025) - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) hosted the inaugural Women’s Flag Football Championship on April 11-12, 2025, at Irwin Belk Complex on the campus of Johnson C. Smith University. The long-waited arrival of the sport finally arrived, and did not disappoint, as eight teams headed to Charlotte, North Carolina to compete and be a part of history.  

The teams competed in a two-day, single elimination bracket in hopes of making history once more by being crowned as the first-ever flag football champion. After six hard-fought competitions, Winston-Salem State and Fayetteville State University found themselves in the championship.  

After a scoreless first half, WSSU found themselves on the board first thanks to a safety by FSU which put the Rams up 2-0. On the ensuing drive, Winston-Salem State picked off the Broncos and drove down the field, finding the endzone and converting on the extra point to increase the lead to nine.  

The Rams’ defense held the Broncos scoreless for a large portion of the game, but FSU had no quit in them and would score a touchdown with less than a minute remaining to get on the board and set up a three-point conversion attempt to tie the game. Winston-Salem State’s tough defense shut down the conversion attempt and the follow-up possession attempt to seal the deal. 

The Rams will forever be etched in history as the first institution to take home the flag football title. To view scores and highlights from the championship, follow and navigate to the CIAA’s official Instagram here.