PEORIA, Ill. – Bradley University is expanding competitive sports opportunities for women with the addition of five new Premier Club Sports, an investment that President James Shadid says strengthens campus life, builds school spirit and advances the University’s commitment to the Premier Student Experience.
Shadid said the expansion is made possible through the Nick and Nancy Owens Excellence Fund, established through a generous $1 million gift from Nick Owens ‘67 and Nancy Owens. The fund honors their children, Nicholas Owens ‘01 and Natalie Owens, and recognizes the dedication of Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Chris Reynolds to advancing women’s athletics and women’s club sports at Bradley.
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 also add STUNT, Women’s Soccer, and Women’s Wrestling to its Premier Club Sports offerings soon after.
Shadid told WMBD’s “Greg and Dan Show” that Bradley Women’s Hockey will be played at Owens Center and Flag Football will be played on campus at Meinen Field, which is not utilized enough. It’s right across the street from St. Mark’s, on University.”
Shadid said these additional sports opportunities for women reflect Bradley’s continued focus on creating meaningful opportunities for student-athletes while fostering a vibrant and competitive campus community.
“Bradley is committed to providing a Premier Student Experience, one that challenges, supports and inspires our students both inside and outside the classroom,” Shadid says. “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.”
Women’s hockey continues to gain national and international momentum, fueled by expanding youth participation and growing visibility at the collegiate and professional levels. Colleges across the country are investing in women’s hockey programs as interest and competition intensifies.
Bradley’s Women’s Hockey Premier Club will give student-athletes the opportunity to compete at a high level while building community around one of the most exciting and fast-paces sports on ice.
One of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S., women’s flag football has surged at the youth, high school and collegiate levels and will make its Olympic debut in 2028. Sanctioned high school programs continue to expand nationwide, and the NCAA has identified women’s flag football as an emerging sport.
“At Bradley, we are attentive to where opportunity is growing,” Shadid said. “Women’s flag football represents a movement that is reshaping the landscape of women’s athletics. We are proud to be part of that momentum.”
STUNT is one of the newest and fastest-growing women’s collegiate sports. Designed to showcase athleticism, teamwork and precision through head-to-head competition, STUNT provides a structured collegiate pathway for high school STUNT and competitive cheer athletes. Governed nationally and expanding at both high school and college levels, it has quickly established itself as a dynamic competitive sport.
