FLORENCE – Soon, more students will have the opportunity to continue their athletic careers at the University of North Alabama.
The Lions will add women’s flag football and men’s and women’s track and field, bringing the total number of athletic programs to 19.
On Tuesday, the University of North Alabama announced the addition of the new sports to begin competition in 2026-27.
The addition of distance-based men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track programs will create four more opportunities while leveraging the existing cross country programs. UNA’s launch will consist of a phased entry to growing the program with an initial emphasis on distance runners.
Cross-country coach Connor Callahan will lead the new track programs in addition to his current role.
“This expansion is something we have talked about since I arrived,” Callahan said. “With the leadership and the vision of (Athletic Director) Dr. Josh Looney and (Assistant AD) Dr. (Janae) Lyde, I knew this was not just talk but something that could become a reality. I am blessed to be given the opportunity to help expand the cross country program into a full track program.
“The expansion of track will open more roster spots in a time when schools are cutting spots. This expansion is going to have a significant impact on the future of our team and this athletic department. This is an incredible opportunity for current and future Lions.”
Meanwhile, women’s flag football received an NCAA emerging sport recommendation this year as the women’s sport experiences rapid growth in Alabama and throughout the Southeast. As an early adopter, UNA will establish itself as a leader in one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.
A national search for the program’s first head coach will begin this fall.
“The University of North Alabama has experienced a great deal of growth since 2018 when the university transitioned to NCAA Division I status,” said UNA President Dr. Ken Kitts. “From record enrollment to record retention and graduation rates, it should come as no surprise that we would also experience growth in athletics, inclusive of the number of sports offered to our students.
“The addition of women’s flag football as well as men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track enhance our already robust offerings and pave the way for the next chapter in the championship tradition of Lion Athletics.”
UNA becomes the second Division I school in Alabama to add women’s flag football, joining Alabama State who announced the sport in 2024-25. The Lions are among the first six schools to announce women’s flag football as a sponsored varsity sport at the Division I level along with Texas-Arlington, Mount St. Mary’s, Long Island University, and Mercyhurst. Women’s flag football is set to make its Olympics debut at the 2028 games.
“This announcement is a celebration of momentum made possible by a community that has invested boldly in our athletic facilities and future over the past few years,” said Looney. “That investment is now unlocking new avenues for growth as we activate these spaces to elevate the experience of current student-athletes and create additional opportunities for future Lions.
“With the addition of women’s flag football, UNA is not just expanding — we’re leading. We’re at the forefront of a rapidly growing sport in our region, and this move continues our trajectory of innovation, opportunity, and competitive excellence.”
The track program is expected to create more than 40 more opportunities and women’s flag football is projected to provide over 25 new opportunities for student-athletes to compete at the Division I level.
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