GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Flag football is one of the fastest growing sports in America, and that growth is happening right here in the Upstate.
USC Upstate and the Panthers partnered to provide a free camp for high school girls interested in playing the sport.
“It’s really meaningful for the Carolina Panthers to partner with them here today to provide this experience for these girls,” Riley Fields, Panthers Director of Community Relations, said.
Just last month, flag football became a varsity sport in North Carolina high schools. Fields said the Panthers are hoping South Carolina is next.
“It’s been a privilege for the Carolina Panthers to help fuel this regional growth by providing funding and resources to schools and developing their pilot programs since 2022,” Fields said. “The team has committed over $1.5 million to really build that strong foundation for the continued growth and support of the game.”
South Carolina is making strides. USC Upstate will be adding flag football as a Division I college sport next spring.
“To finally see the lines in the field, finally see the pylons out here and get the girls out here with all the energy they’re bringing, it’s just fun to see it really come to fruition,” USC Upstate Athletic Director Matt Martin said.
Those pylons may be marking more than just a field. They could be marking the beginning of future college careers.
Upstate’s new flag football coach Noah Harris was using not only using the day for fun, but also taking notes on potential future Spartans.
“Right off the bat, you see the talent and the opportunity for them to grow in the game if they bring the right attitude and coachability with them,” Harris said.
One future Spartan was soaking in being on her new home turf.
“I’m having a really good time sharing my time with my little sister as well,” incoming freshman flag football player Kaitlin Tansiel said. “She’s out here, you know, just doing stuff that I currently know, but just like looking at and doing new things is pretty fun.”
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