DECATUR, Ill. – Millikin University is proud to announce the launch of two new Big Blue Athletics programs – Women’s Flag Football and Women’s Wrestling – that are set to begin in the 2026-27 academic year. With the addition of these two exciting sports, Millikin continues its commitment to widening access for female student-athletes and fostering growth in emerging sports.
“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,” Millikin President Dean Pribbenow said. “We are proud to be part of the national momentum behind these emerging sports and excited to see our athletes compete beginning next fall.”
Women’s Flag Football has rapidly grown in popularity nationwide, with organizations such as the NAIA and NFL supporting its expansion at the collegiate level. With more than 200 high schools in Illinois already offering girls flag football teams, Millikin joins a growing number of universities offering the sport, allowing female athletes to showcase their talents on the field while pursuing academic excellence.
The Big Blue 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 move into this new full-time position and begin team recruitment now, with the first season of competition set for spring 2027. Home games will be played at Frank M. Lindsay Field, giving fans the chance to experience the fast-paced, competitive action of flag football.
Big Blue Head Wrestling Coach Ryan Birt will now lead both the Men’s and Women’s Wrestling programs in a new position as Director of Wrestling.
Birt has led Millikin Men’s Wrestling since the program returned in 2015 and has developed it into a CCIW and national powerhouse, as Big Blue wrestlers regularly become All-Americans, including two-time national champion Bradan Birt. The Big Blue finished in second place in the CCIW in 2025 and have won three CCIW championships during Birt’s tenure.
“Women’s Flag Football and Women’s Wrestling are milestone additions for Millikin Athletics. These programs will offer female athletes a competitive platform in a fast-growing sport, while reinforcing our tradition of excellence and embracing new ideas,” Vice President for Athletics and Community Engagement Lori Kerans said. “We’re eager to recruit talented student-athletes and build programs that will make the Millikin community proud.”
Women’s Wrestling is the newest NCAA championship sport after being named an “NCAA Emerging Sport for Women” in 2020-21. Millikin joins eight other College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) member schools with Women’s Wrestling teams, including Augustana College, Aurora University (Associate member), Carthage College, Elmhurst University, Illinois Wesleyan University, Milwaukee School of Engineering (Associate Member), North Central College and Lakeland University. The CCIW was the first Division III conference to sponsor Women’s Wrestling, beginning in the 2022-23 academic year.
For more information about Millikin University Athletics, visit athletics.millikin.edu.
