The Mid-Eastern Athletic conference (MEAC) held its second annual “Girls on the Gridiron” Flag Football event this past weekend at Norfolk State University. Free to the public and open to all ages, over 70 women showed up to learn from collegiate athletes and former NFL quarterback and Pro Bowler, Michael Vick. Several HBCUs from the MEAC were represented at this event, featuring Howard University, Delaware State, Morgan State, Coppin State, South Carolina State and North Carolina Central University. These HBCU athletes gave back to the surrounding communities by coaching and encouraging the women that they could play football too.
Players teaching the women the agility drills. Credit: A. Gilchrist
Spectators from the local Norfolk communities and beyond came out to watch their daughters, cousins, and special women play. First gentleman of Norfolk State University, Mr. Dmitri Gaston also came out to show his support for the women and meet Vick.
First Gentleman Dmitri Gaston and Michael Vick, Credit: A. Gilchrist
Stepping in for NSU’s head coach, Dawson Odoms, Coach Aaron Tiller, the Defensive Line Coach at NSU, was particularly excited to see MEAC and select HBCU players come together at his home turf to support women saying, “having this event here at Norfolk State means a lot. Being able to give young girls an opportunity to be put on and play at a higher level while being able to empower them while having these young men teach them is great to see.”
Coach Aaron Tiller (Middle) introducing himself with other MEAC Coaches. Credit: A. Gilchrist
After the preliminary introductions of the coaches, and opening remarks from MEAC commissioner Sonja Stills, the women were divided into three groups for the first half of the event to warm up and participate in 5-minute agility drills. These drills were led by the collegiate football stars. After this session, the women breaked for water as Michael Vick, and his daughter Jada Vick, who plays flag football at Reinhardt University in Atlanta, arrived to scout the talent and surprise the girls with hands-on coaching during the 10 minute active drill stations.
MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills hyping the women up with opening remarks. Credit: A. Gilchrist
The father and daughter duo took turns passing the ball to various participants and hyped them up as they completed their drills. Vick also took time to greet each collegiate athlete and left a mark on each player by encouraging and commending them for their choice to come out and inspire the women.
Vick working with the women. Credit: A. Gilchrist
Vick was proud to see the women giving their all on the field mentioning “I see drive, I see enthusiasm, I see young women willing to learn what it’s like to go to the next level. He added, “The MEAC is changing the game, and I love it man!”
Jada Vick and Michael Vick scouting the field. Credit: A. Gilchrist
With 2024 being an Olympic year, four new sports will debut at the Paris games. The trajectory of women’s flag football is growing with the sport now on the list to be added to the 2028 games that will be held in Los Angeles, California according to USA Football. When mentioned to Vick, he grew in his excitement saying, “Man 2028 is going to be a year! Maybe someone on this field will represent [at the Olympics]. Shoutout to the NFL for letting me be a part of the growth [of this sport], and giving me this opportunity.”
Commissioner Stills presenting a thank you award to Vick and his daughter. Credit: A. Gilchrist
Emphasizing the impact of opportunities for women through flag football, a Delaware State player, mentioned, “Being around young ladies that you know are getting into football, I see the importance of just being there for them and creating more opportunities for young ladies and not just ourselves [as men].”
Another player added, “Maybe one day our school will have a team for women, it feels good to give them a chance and see what they can do.”
Tournament footage. Credit: A. Gilchrist
The event ended with a tournament style showdown with the coaches and players pushing the women to showcase their skills. Both Vick and his daughter cheered the girls on and huddled them together to share some final words. The night ended with Diamarie Matthews, also known as (Saucy Baby Dee) winning the Girls on the Gridiron 2024 MVP award. Matthews, currently a student at Tallwood High School, in Virginia Beach, VA, plays for the Lady Eagles, a women’s football team in the East Coast Football Association (ECFA).
The women being coached by Tiller during the tournament. Credit: A. Gilchrist
She said after winning, “I want to thank everybody who made this possible!”
Vick signing Matthews’ award plaque. Credit: A. Gilchrist
With a second year of growing success, the MEAC plans to continue and encourage women in sports with hopes of coming back for a third year. With such awareness, there is hope that one day a school in the MEAC will take groundbreaking steps to officially create a flag football team for women on a collegiate level. With this sport becoming increasingly popular, Alabama State University made history this past spring announcing that a “competitive women’s flag football program during the 2024-25 academic year” will come to their campus as an official sport. It is the first Division 1 Historically Black College and Universities school to offer a women’s flag football program.
All of the participants with Vick and HBCU players. Credit: A. Gilchrist
President of ASU, Quinton T. Ross Jr. emphasized the impact of this sport saying, “Adding this program to our institution allows Alabama State University to align its sports offerings to the global standard and to the future of an emerging sport. The addition of women’s flag football will provide both current and incoming students a valuable opportunity to further their education while participating on the gridiron.”
When speaking to HBCU Connect, the athletic director at ASU, Dr. Jason Cable, shared that he is looking forward to putting the HBCU on the map saying, “We can’t wait to see the impact of women’s flag football as one of our sports offerings for the Hornet Nation’s student-athletes. We’re enthusiastic that Alabama State University is breaking new ground by launching a highly competitive women’s flag football program. The University recognizes the immense interest in women’s flag football at the collegiate level and is proud to offer its students a valuable opportunity to excel in the sport.”
The future looks bright for women’s sports and the future of women’s flag football emerging onto HBCU campuses across the nation. With more accessibility and initiative, we can predict that an HBCU alum may just be competing for the gold in the 2028 Olympics playing flag football.
Jada Vick showcasing her skills. Credit: A. Gilchrist
