Florence, ala. (WHNT) – The University of North Alabama (UNA), announced the addition of a new program to the athletics department, in addition to the expansion of two existing programs, to start competition in 2026-27.
On Tuesday, the University announced the addition of female flag football and the expansion of its male and female cross-country and female cross-country and outdoor teams based on distance.
The addition of interior and outdoor track programs for men and women at a distance will create four new opportunities while taking advantage of existing cross-country programs. The launch of the UNA will consist of a progressive entry to the growth of the program by emphasizing distance runners.
Meanwhile, women’s female football has received an emerging NCAA sports recommendation earlier this year while women’s sport is experiencing rapid growth in Alabama and the southeast of the United States.
“The University of North Alabama has experienced a lot of growth since 2018, when the University has moved to the status of Division I of the NCAA,” said Dr. Ken Kitts of the UNA. “From record registration to record retention and diploma rates, it should not be surprising that we are also undergoing growth in athletics, including the number of sports offered to our students. The addition of women’s football as well as the way inside and outside the inner and external track of the tradition of the lion championship.”
UNA becomes the second Division I school in Alabama to add women’s football, joining the Alabama State which announced the sport in 2024-25. The Lions are among the first six schools to announce football female flag as a sponsored university sport in terms of division I with the future opponent of the Athletic Conference United Ut Arlington, Mount St. Mary’s, Liu and Mercyhurst.
The two programs will use the Cox Creek sports complex, which was built in the fall of 2024 with a versatile field of lawn as part of the Bank Independent Stadium project. The Hulet and Jacqueline Gregory track was installed around the lawn field in the spring of 2025 – an official dedication is scheduled for later this year.
“This announcement is a celebration of the momentum made possible by a community which has invested boldly in our sports facilities and the future in recent years,” said the Director of Athletics of UNA, Dr. Josh Looney. “This investment is now unlocking new avenues for growth while we activate these spaces to raise the experience of current students athletes and create additional opportunities for future lions. With the addition of female flag football, UNA is not only developing-we are leading. We are at the avant-garde and excellence rapidly growing in our region, and this decision continues our trajectory of innovation, and competitive excellence. “
This marks the first sporting extension for UNA since 2018 – the first year of the era of division I. The Lions have added the female golf course and the Beach Volley this season, which are now entering their eighth year of competition.
This will increase the Sports Department of Una to 19 sports programs.
