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RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Manhattan University women’s flag football will make history this Saturday, Nov. 7, when the Jaspers take the field for the first varsity flag football game in program history, hosting the College of Staten Island at noon at Gaelic Park.

The debut marks a milestone for Manhattan’s newest varsity program and comes as women’s flag football continues its rapid growth at the collegiate level.

“What an exciting moment for Manhattan University and our Jasper student-athletes,” said Irma Garcia, Manhattan’s Director of Athletics, who along with Manhattan President Frederick Bonato spearheaded the creation of the varsity program. “Playing the first women’s flag football game in Manhattan University history is something these young women will always be able to say they were part of. The sport is growing at an incredible pace, and Manhattan University is proud and excited to be part of its future.”

The Jaspers are led by inaugural head coach Frank Jennaco, an accomplished flag football coach whose background gives Manhattan’s historic opener an added storyline: Jennaco previously built and coached the women’s flag football program at his first opponent in the College of Staten Island.

Since joining Manhattan, Jennaco has produced one of the nation’s top recruiting classes that includes 16 highly touted freshmen on his 22-player squad.  

“Our recruiting focus was on attracting talented freshmen and building a foundation for sustained success,” Jennaco said. “This is a young, exciting group, and we believe these student-athletes can establish the culture and competitive standard for Manhattan women’s flag football for years to come.”

Among the Jaspers’ top freshman newcomers are wide receivers Kaliani Ewing (San Diego, Calif.) and Maria Baloy (Panama), along with linebackers Mya De Jesus (Harrison, N.J.) and Gabriella Gonzalez (Sayreville, N.J.). 

Manhattan will compete in ECAC (Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference) women’s flag football competition during its inaugural season.

The Manhattan women’s flag football program was established amid significant national growth in the sport. The New York Jets and the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation are key supporting partners of Manhattan and ECAC flag football programs.