Southern States Athletic Conference to Add Flag Football in 2026-2027
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Southern States Athletic Conference announced Point University will be one of nine teams competing in its inaugural women's flag football season when the conference adds the championship sport beginning in 2026-27.
Point will join six other SSAC members, with two additional schools joining as affiliate members.
"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," said Mike Hall, SSAC Commissioner.
The Skyhawks became a member of the SSAC in 2023-24 and have competed in women's flag football as an affiliate member in the SUN Conference since the program's first season that spring.
"The transition from the SUN Conference to the SSAC marks an exciting new chapter for Point University Flag Football. This move will still allow our athletes to compete against some of the best talent in the region. We're embracing the challenge, raising our standards, and preparing to make an immediate impact. Point University is growing, and this conference shift aligns perfectly with where our program is headed," said Shaka Long, Point University's new flag football head coach.
Point is entering its third season competing in women's flag football, which was approved as an invitational sport for the 2025-26 season by the NAIA's National Administrative Council. The 2025-26 season will feature 35 programs competing across the NAIA and the postseason will shift to a qualification-based invitational tournament. The 2026 NAIA Invitational Championship will be May 6-9.
The first SSAC Championship is scheduled for April 22-24, 2027 in Montgomery, Alabama.
Andrew College (S.C.) and Wesleyan College (Ga.) will be new SSAC members in 2026-27 and will compete with flag football programs at current SSAC members Brewton-Parker Christian University (Ga.), Life University (Ga.), Point, Thomas University (Ga.), and University of Tennessee Southern, along with affiliate members Milligan University (S.C.) and Reinhardt University (Ga.).
About the SSAC
The SSAC is one of the premier NAIA conferences, founded in 1999, with 12 member institutions across Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. The Montgomery, Ala.-based conference sponsors 20 intercollegiate sports, culminating in 20 neutral-site conference championship events held annually throughout the Southeastern region of the United States.