DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Millikin University is launching two new athletic programs next school year, women's wrestling and women's flag football.
Millikin President Dean Pribbenow said, "At Millikin, we are committed to expanding opportunities for our students to grow both academically and athletically. The launch of our women's flag football and women's wrestling programs is an important step in strengthening our Big Blue Athletics offerings and providing another path for student success. We are proud to be part of the national momentum behind these emerging sports and excited to see our athletes compete beginning next fall."
More than 200 high schools in Illinois offer girls flag football teams.
Millikin's women's flag football program will be led by Joan Catanese, who is currently a tight ends coach and co-special teams coordinator for the Big Blue football team. She will begin team recruitment now. The first season of competition is set for spring 2027. Home games will be played at Frank M. Lindsay Field.
Millikin's head wrestling coach Ryan Birt will now coach both the men's and women's wrestling programs in a new position as the Director of Wrestling.
Women's wrestling is the newest NCAA championship sport. Millikin joins eight other College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin member schools with women's wrestling teams.
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