Aurora University today announced the hiring of Lane Barlow as head coach of the newly created women's flag football program. 
 
"We are thrilled to have Lane Barlow join AU to lead the women's flag football program. He is a perfect fit to build our newest athletic program from the ground up," said Aurora University Vice President for Athletics Jim Hamad. "We anticipate that he will quickly build the program to a championship level on the field and in the classroom."
 
Barlow comes to AU after spending the previous two seasons as the head coach of Perspectives High School. In two seasons, Barlow led the program to two Tochito Bowl Championships, two conference titles, regional and sectional championships and had a 37-1 record.

"I am excited and honored to have the opportunity to lead the women's flag football program at Aurora University," Barlow said. "I want to thank God first because without him none of this is possible as well as my family. I am thrilled to create a legacy at AU while building the program from the beginning. I will be an outlet and positive role model for our student-athletes to chase their dreams."
 
The NCAA and Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) are closely monitoring the emergence of women's flag football as the sport gains momentum. In addition to its growth at the high school level, universities around the country have added women's flag football sponsorship. AU was the fourth Division III institution in the state of Illinois to add the sport, joining Rockford University and Benedictine University from the NACC and Illinois Wesleyan University. The sport will be included in the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in 2028 as its popularity expands globally.

The competition season will span from February to May. Women's collegiate flag football is a 7-on-7 competition that is played on a football field that is 40 yards in width by 80 yards in length. Each team moves offensively by running or passing a football, while the defense tries to "tackle" by pulling flags on the belt of the ball carrier.

Current and prospective students interested in learning more about AU Spartan women's flag football are encouraged to fill out the prospective student-athlete interest form or contact AU Athletics (athletics@aurora.edu).