The Brooke County Review
BETHANY, W.Va. — Bethany College Interim Director of Athletics Jen Windmiller is announcing the addition of women’s flag football as a club sport, effective immediately, marking an exciting expansion of athletic opportunities on campus.
In a corresponding move, Windmiller is also announcing Mikayla Lopez as the director of women’s flag football. Lopez, who currently serves as the head coach of Bethany’s women’s basketball team, will lead the flag football program’s development, with a nationwide search for the program’s first head coach set to begin this summer.
“The addition of women’s flag football brings an exciting, growing sport to our campus,” says Windmiller. “We look forward to our other Presidents’ Athletic Conference brethren joining us in the inclusion of this emerging sport on their campus.”
Windmiller also expresses her enthusiasm for Lopez’s leadership in launching the program. “I would like to thank coach Lopez on accepting the challenge of bringing the first class of women’s flag football student-athletes to campus.”
Bethany plans to compete in two NFL-sponsored showcases this season, followed by a full club season in 2025-26. The program will then evaluate the transition to full intercollegiate status for the 2026-27 season.