MARIETTA, Ga. — Life University Athletics is proud to announce that women's flag football will begin competition in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) starting with the 2026–27 season. The SSAC will sponsor the sport as seven conference members now field programs, with two additional institutions joining as affiliate members.

The nine institutions set to compete include: Andrew, Wesleyan, Brewton-Parker Christian, Life, Point, Thomas, Tennessee Southern, Milligan, and Reinhardt.

Women's flag football was approved as an invitational sport for the 2025–26 season by the NAIA's National Administrative Council. That inaugural season will feature 35 programs competing across the association, with the postseason transitioning to a qualification-based invitational tournament.

League coaches and athletic directors will collaborate to finalize scheduling formats and operational policies ahead of championship play. The inaugural SSAC Championship for women's flag football is slated for April 22–24, 2027, in Montgomery, Ala.

Director of Athletics Jayme Pendergast shared her excitement on the move and thanked The Sun Conference's current leadership and member institutions for their support, stating, "We are thrilled with the growth and evolution of flag football and being able to make this an SSAC sport. We are grateful for the opportunities that the Sun Conference provided to us and we look forward to many great contests with the Sun Conference institutions moving forward. But, it is always great to have championships within your full conference membership."

SSAC Commissioner Mike Hall echoed that enthusiasm, emphasizing the broader impact of the addition. "Adding Women's Flag Football as an SSAC championship sport expands opportunities for women to compete at a high level in one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. We're excited to align with the NAIA's vision and the broader momentum around the sport as we build schedules, championships, and a first-class experience for our student-athletes."

Head Coach Zack Desmarais also highlighted the significance of the transition for both the program and the sport. "I'm really excited about joining the SSAC here at Life University. This move is going to be great for the growth of the game — giving us more exposure across the Southeast. I'm looking forward to the new challenge, and I truly believe this is a step that pushes the sport in the right direction. This is a great new chapter for our program and for the game."

With the spring flag football season approaching, Life's program now turns its focus to The Sun Conference for one final campaign, aiming to close out its time in the league on a high note before opening a new chapter in SSAC competition.