Westminster College Shocks Everyone by Launching First-Ever Women’s Flag Football Team—You Won’t Believe the Reactions!

Staff

5 days ago · Updated 5 days ago

FULTON — The establishment of the women's flag football program at Westminster College marks a significant milestone for athletics in the region, and the driving force behind this initiative is the newly appointed head coach, Emilee Buhl. Hired in November 2025, Buhl is dedicated to building a competitive team from the ground up during the 2026 spring season.

“I want to have a competitive environment, fun, a winning program,” Buhl stated, encapsulating her vision. “Every coach wants that, but it goes more into that, and especially from starting from scratch, it’s going to take a lot for their first year to get to that point.”

With a passion for football that ignited in her childhood, Buhl has a solid background in the sport. She played tackle football at Willis High School in Texas and shone as a standout flag football player at Kansas Wesleyan University. Transitioning to coaching felt like a natural next step for her, especially after witnessing the supportive environment at Westminster College. “I got to come out here, check out the campus, and just the environment and the staff. Everybody was so supportive of having the flag program here, and I just loved the support that they were going to give this program,” she explained.

The significance of this new program extends beyond the campus, particularly as flag football is set to make its debut in the 2028 Summer Olympics. However, the challenge lies in recruitment. Currently, there are no high school varsity flag football teams in mid-Missouri, which complicates efforts to build a local roster.

One of the early commitments to the program is Jayla Murphy from Kansas City, who initially did not plan to be recruited. “Honestly, that wasn’t my first option,” Murphy remarked. “But once I felt like I got the opportunity, then I would definitely go for it.” This sentiment echoes a broader trend among young female athletes who are increasingly looking for avenues to showcase their skills and compete at higher levels.

Buhl is enthusiastic about the potential impact of the program on women in sports. “I just feel like it’s also a learning opportunity to make me compete more and show everyone else that girls can do the same thing everyone else can do,” Murphy said, emphasizing the empowering aspects of participating in this emerging sport.

The inaugural team is expected to take the field in the spring of 2027, setting the stage for a new chapter in women’s athletics at Westminster College. As Buhl works diligently to recruit talent primarily from Kansas City and beyond, she is optimistic about the future and looks forward to seeing more high school flag football teams emerge in mid-Missouri.

This initiative not only represents a step forward for Westminster College but also signifies a broader movement in collegiate athletics, where women’s sports are gaining the recognition they deserve. With dedicated coaches like Emilee Buhl at the helm, the future of women's flag football at Westminster looks promising, potentially inspiring a new generation of female athletes.