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As flag football makes its way into becoming a formally recognized NCAA championship sport, UCF Knights are helping pave the way. In April, the Recreation and Wellness Center staff celebrated the women’s Knights Flag Football Club’s victory over the University of Florida (UF) and its championship win at the inaugural Fiesta Bowl Flag Football Classic.
During the game, the Knights set the tone early when senior wide receiver Lindsay Ward intercepted with one hand a lateral pass attempted by a UF receiver. This skillful move caught the attention of the NFL and earned Ward the May 2026 NFL Way to Play Flag Award.
“You don’t see this every day,” says NFL Analyst Phoebe Schecter in the award announcement video, “When the ball is lateraled, she is in the perfect position. She gets her arm out in space and snags it with one hand.”
“Lindsay’s play changed the momentum of the game. Thanks to her quick thinking, UCF got the ball back and we scored – an important play and a hard play to make,” says Gary Cahen, Associate Director of the UCF Recreation and Wellness Center.
“I was just doing my job,” said Ward when asked about that award-winning moment. “When we’re on the field, everyone has their own responsibilities. Everyone doing their job leads to everyone coming out on top.” Other key players on the team that helped secure the Knight’s win include Eliana Higbie-Long, who was named the game’s Defensive MVP, and Kayla Ludwig, who scored the game sealing touchdown and was named the game’s Offensive MVP.
Flag football is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States and is also one of the newest clubs within the Sports Club Council at UCF. Despite its infancy, the Knights Flag Football team has already won more national championships than any other school.
The team is made up of UCF students from across the country representing a wide range of majors. In addition to dominating on the field, the players manage the team’s logistics, including planning travel to games, overseeing risk management, preparing financial reports for the university, and more. Players say that their flag football experience also teaches them how to lead, communicate, and solve challenges that provide them with real-world experience that will prepare them to be successful in their careers.
However, many players say that the most important benefit they get from playing UCF flag football is the sense of belonging it gives them.
Ward says, “The team has been one of the most meaningful parts of my college experience. Flag football gave me a family. Some of my closest friendships and biggest accomplishments come from being a part of this team.”
Because of this, it is no surprise that Ward decided to give back to her UCF community by donating the $3,000 equipment grant included with the award to the UCF flag football team.
Cahen adds, “Our sports clubs are about uniting people from all walks of life for a common interest. You quickly come to realize that this is your community.”
To learn more about Knights Flag Football or any of the other 44 registered student organizations within the Sport Club Council, visit the Recreation and Wellness Center website.