FULTON, Mo. - In advance of its spring 2025 debut of NAIA Flag Football, William Woods University is excited to host the Grrridiron Girls Flag Football camp on July 24 at the North Campus Activities Center. The free camp, which is open to both girls and boys entering kindergarten through 12th grade in the fall of 2024, will be led by Dr. Jen Welter, the first woman to coach in the NFL. The youth camp (K-8th grade) runs from 2:30-4 p.m. with the high school camp scheduled for 5-8 p.m., with pre-registration recommended but not required.

"We are looking forward to hosting the Grrridiron Girls Flag Football camp, and welcoming a trailblazer for women in football in Jen Welter, to William Woods," said Dr. Jeremy Moreland, President of William Woods University. "Just a few months before the debut of the first-ever Flag Football team at William Woods, hosting this camp will provide an exciting opportunity for aspiring Flag Football players in mid-Missouri, while also providing one more example our deep commitment to fostering and expanding opportunities in women's sports."

"To open our new field with an individual the caliber of Dr. Jen Welter is a thrill for William Woods University," said director of athletics Steve Wilson. "I'm excited to be able to offer this to youth in Mid-Missouri. The youth clinic will be energetic and fun, and the high school clinic will be a great introduction to one of the fastest growing sports in the country. We encourage anyone with even a slight interest in the sport to come out and see how fun this game really is, and to experience our new field, under the lights in Fulton."

Using the game of flag football as a teaching canvas, Grrridiron Girls Camps are designed to help girls learn self-confidence and empowerment. The foundation of the camp is to share that there is no game you cannot play and no field that you do not belong in or on. Through more than 30 camps since 2019, Dr. Welter's approach has helped hundreds of young girls find success both on and off the field, including Ki'Lolo Westerlund, a two-time world champion with the U.S. National Football Team (keep an eye out for her younger sister Yaya as well) and Kaleigh Patterson, who at just 11 years old has already seen her highlights go viral including appearances on the Sports Center Top 10 and Good Morning Football.

"There has never been a better time for Girls in Football," said Dr. Welter. "The game is exploding, hearts, minds, and doors are opening every day, including right here at William Woods. I have chills thinking about this new field which is built for flag and tackle, literally putting the men and women on the same turf, it's huge, and Grrridiron Girls is here for it. It is an honor to help put a ball in their hands and a dream in their heart."

Although she is most well-known for becoming the first woman to coach in the NFL following her 2015 stint with the Arizona Cardinals, Dr. Welter has been blazing trails for women in sports since 2001. The two-time gold medalist (2010, 2013 IFAF Women's World Championship) made her professional debut with the Massachusetts Mutiny in 2001 and enjoyed an 11-year career in women's professional football with four championship rings (Women's Professional Football League 2004, 2005, 2006; Independent Women's Football League 2008) to her name.

In 2014, she broke new ground for women in football, earning a roster spot with the Texas Revolution (CIF), becoming one of the first female position players for a men's football team and the first to play running back. She made her coaching debut with the Revolution in 2015, as a linebackers and special teams coach, becoming the first woman to coach in a men's professional football league.

The camp is open to all youth - boys and girls alike - entering kindergarten through 12th grade in the fall. The free camp includes a t-shirt for all participants and lunch will be provided. Pre-registration for both camps is open now through the WWU Athletics website.

Grrridiron Girls Camp Schedule
Youth Clinic (K - 8th)
- 1:30 p.m. registration opens
- 2:30-4 p.m. youth clinic
High School Clinic (9th-12th)
- 4 p.m. registration opens
- 5-8 p.m. high school clinic