PEORIA — Women’s hockey is coming to the Hilltop. So is women’s flag football and wrestling and more.
Bradley University has launched five athletic programs for women as part of its Premier Club Sports organization.
Beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year, Bradley will introduce women’s hockey (fall 2026) and women’s flag football (spring 2027).
The university will later add STUNT, women’s soccer, and women’s wrestling to its Premier Club Sports offerings.
“Bradley is committed to providing a Premier Student Experience, one that challenges, supports and inspires our students both inside and outside the classroom,” Bradley University president James Shadid said. “The expansion of Premier Club Sports for women reflects our belief that athletics are a powerful vehicle for leadership, teamwork, resilience and community. These new programs create additional pathways for students to compete at a high level while strengthening school spirit and campus engagement.”
Just to clarify, these are not NCAA varsity programs. They will compete at the collegiate club level, and do travel regionally for competition.
This program expansion is possible through the Nick and Nancy Owens Excellence Fund, established through a $1 million gift from Nick Owens ’67 and Nancy Owens.
Women’s hockey is on the rise, more than ever after USA won the gold at the Winter Olympics last month. Flag football is hot, too, with the NCAA declaring it an emerging sport. It will be added to the 2028 Summer Olympics lineup.
STUNT is a college pathway for athletes from high school stunt and competitive dance programs.
Women’s soccer has high participation, as does wrestling, the latter with an estimated 64,000 female athletes at the high school level.
Check Bradley’s Premier Sports Club online for information on how to arrange tryouts for these sports.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Bradley to add hockey, flag football and more to women’s club sports lineup
Reporting by Dave Eminian, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
