Women’s Flag Football Moving Past Inaugural Season

By ISABEL GERHEIM

Seton Hill’s women’s flag football team’s first season last year came with a lot of firsts—a group of athletes navigating new playbooks and a new league.

As the second season progresses, the curiosity has hardened into a mission. The team has replaced their first-time jitters with drive and motivation to compete at the highest level. 

Senior Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator, Herman Davis, has been one of the many athletes from the Seton Hill men’s football team that has helped this shift in the second season. 

“The first year we had some miscommunication because everyone was new to what we were doing. This year has definitely been more advanced with being able to communicate with our players,” Davis stated. 

Communication hasn’t been the only improvement or goals for this second season. The Griffins are now focusing on the finer details of the game. 

According to Davis, that clarity has led to a much bolder objective: “I would say the primary competitive goal for this season is to just dominate. 

“This year we broke down just what to accomplish. For example, who to guard, what we need to do on offense to get those points on the board to come out with the win at the end of the day,” Davis stated. 

Davis highlighted that while the first matchup with University of Pittsburgh was marked with learning curves, this year told a different story. 

“We played them last year and it was a lot of firsts for everything, but this year we definitely showed them that we can compete with them even though they’re a bigger school than us,” Davis stated. 

The growth Davis describes isn’t only felt by returning players; It’s being lived by the program’s newest additions. 

Freshman wide receiver and safety, Emma Licht, recently joined the program and has already witnessed the acceleration of the team’s chemistry.

“I joined last semester, and we’ve already grown a lot. We’re starting to find out positions, understand the game better, and work together more as a team,” Licht stated. 

Not only do the coaches highlight the importance of culture, players like Licht too share a culture amongst players. 

“We want to solidify a culture where everyone is committed to getting better everyday. That means strong communication, trust, and pushing each other to improve while still supporting one another on and off the field,” Licht stated. 

For the new program, having the support of the university has played a role that is fundamental to the growth of the league. 

“The university’s support and facilities have helped us feel more established this year. Having access to field and training spaces has made it easier for us to stay consistent and continue growing as a team,” stated Licht. 

Club Team Advisor, AJ Bove finds the support as a catalyst for player development. Bove noted that the transition to a club sport has only been the beginning of the program’s evolution. 

“The support has been solid. The team is equipped with uniforms and practice gear,” Bove stated. However, he emphasized that to truly capitalize on the sports momentum and Seton Hill’s high female enrollment, the infrastructure needs to expand. 

“The next step is hiring a coach. … A graduate assistant would be a perfect starting point,” Bove stated. 

This vision for the coaching staff is backed by more than ambition, the program already has a financial head start. 

“There is money in the team account thanks to a grant we received from the Steelers’ kickoff event in 2025,” stated Bove. 

For Bove, these administrative steps are about more than just the current roster. They are about the legacy the program will leave for the university.

“This is an awesome opportunity for current athletes to build a foundation for future generations, while simultaneously supporting enrollment growth and athletic diversity at Seton Hill,” Bove stated.