PITTSBURGH - In October, Chatham University announced the addition of Women's Flag Football, which will begin play this coming spring 2025. Chatham Head Women's Basketball Coach and Director of Women's Flag Football Operations David Saur spoke on the current state and future of the program, as well as his involvement in building the team.

Q: How excited are you to help grow the game of Women's Flag Football, not just at Chatham but in general?

A: It's a really exciting opportunity. The interest in flag football across the country has never been greater and with the support of the NFL I think this is a great opportunity to grow the game at the college level. 

Q: How will your skills and experience as a recruiter translate to Flag Football?

A: I certainly think there is a nice overlap between basketball and flag football recruiting. Your always looking for competitors and young people that have a hunger to work hard on their craft. I think my relationships across the country with some flag football coaches at the high school level that also coach basketball will be crucial. 

Q: How much of a team has been built to this point?

A: The interest from our current student athletes has been really exciting to see. We will come together as an initial group after the new year for the first time and we are looking forward to competing this spring for the first time. Recruiting has already begun for our first recruiting class in 2025.

Q: What is the plan for playing in the spring?

A: It looks like we will play in multiple NFL sponsored "play dates" this spring against some regional schools. Those dates and opponents will be announced at a later date. 

Q: How are you going to set this program up for success for whoever takes it over in the future?

A: Our plan and process will be very similar to what we have done here with basketball. We want to establish a strong culture of competition and play a brand of football that will be fun for our players. I think also establishing our recruiting footprint as a program will be a very critical early priority for us. It's an exciting time for Cougar football.