WASHINGTON - Gallaudet University Athletics Director
Warren Keller, '10, has announced
Emelia Beldon, '22, as the first head coach of the women's flag football program.
Beldon begins her part-time duties immediately and is actively recruiting prospective Bison to join the 2025 flag football team that will begin competition in late March. A complete 2025 flag football schedule will be released in January 2025.
"Women's Flag Football is one of the hottest new sports and the campus is buzzing with a lot of anticipation on this," said Keller. "Emelia is one of the hardest working people I have ever been associated with, and she will help lead us in this uncharted territory. I am so thrilled for all of our amazing women student-athletes to receive this opportunity, and they are going to be lucky to receive her leadership in the sport and in life."
Beldon is currently works on campus as an Associate Research Analyst in the Office of Institutional Research and serves as an assistant coach with the Gallaudet women's basketball team. This is Beldon's third year in that capacity with women's basketball after a successful four-year career on the court for the Bison. Beldon played in 104 games (94 starts) and compiled 1,094 points, 605 assists, 456 rebounds and 275 steals. The Frederick, Md., native was a 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year nominee for GU and a two-time all-conference honoree including a first team selection her senior season (2021-22). Beldon was GU's pick for the 2021-22 United East All-Sportsmanship Team and won the 2019-20 Gallaudet Student-Athlete of the Year award.
Beldon graduated Summa Cum Laude from Gallaudet in May 2022 with University Honors and a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology.Â
"I am super honored and excited to lead the first-ever Women's Flag Football program at Gallaudet University! I aim to build a space where our female student-athletes can develop their skills, build confidence, and break new ground in a traditionally underrepresented area," said Beldon. "This program isn't just about competition, it's about creating a strong, supportive community and inspiring more opportunities for women in sports. I can't wait to see how we grow together and make our mark!"
Gallaudet will compete as a member of the United East, the second Division III conference to announce its sponsorship of women's flag football (Atlantic East) and the fourth conference among all divisions in the NCAA (Division II's Conference Carolinas & Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association).
The league will have at least six institutions participating at the club level in spring 2025, including Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Penn College, Penn State Harrisburg and Rosemont College.
If you are interested in joining the Gallaudet women's flag football program, please contact Coach Beldon at
emelia.beldon@gallaudet.edu.
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