UMass Dartmouth Adds Women’s Flag Football, Expands Athletics

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth has big plans for the coming school year.

Home to nearly 8,000 students, the SouthCoast school plans on expanding its athletics programs for the 2026–27 academic year, adding a women's flag football team and bringing back men's lacrosse and swimming as varsity sports.

“Athletics is an important part of the fabric of our campus community," UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Mark A. Fuller, PhD, said. "I’m excited that these new sports will create additional opportunities for student-athletes to compete, grow, and represent the University, while also helping us attract even more talented students to an already strong and vibrant program."

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New Women’s Flag Football Team

The additions include a women's flag football team, which will begin as a club sport for the 2026-27 season before moving towards varsity competition the following year.

“The success of our current student-athletes has paved the way for continued investment in UMass Dartmouth Athletics,” UMD Director of Athletics and Recreation Dr. Lori Hendricks said.

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Returning Men’s Lacrosse and Swimming

UMass Dartmouth will also reinstate men's lacrosse and men's swimming as varsity sports for the 2026-27 year.

Why Athletics Matter at UMass Dartmouth

“We know that students are stronger scholars and more engaged community members when they participate in co-curricular activities; moreover, our athletics community contributes to the overall energy of the campus," Hendricks added.

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She expressed gratitude towards Chancellor Fuller and university leadership for their support. "We are excited to continue the tradition of excellence into this new era of UMass Dartmouth Athletics,” she said.