- Slug: Sports–ASU Flag Football Club, 700 words.
- 2 photos available.
By Natalie Guzman
Cronkite News
TEMPE – A night that was years in the making came to a head last week when Arizona State University’s women’s flag football club made its collegiate debut.
For Sierra and Sophia Smith, Friday night also marked a culmination of their hard work. The twin sisters co-founded and co-captain the ASU club, and despite the Sun Devils’ 24-6 loss to Grand Canyon University, the two had plenty of reason to celebrate.
The Smith sisters began their flag football journey at Hamilton High School and then continued with Club HBHF Arizona. They first announced the ASU club in February 2024 on the team’s Instagram page. In September, they held tryouts and found their current 25-player roster.
Friday night brought out a huge crowd at Dorsey Turf Field in Tempe, and it was only fitting that Sierra caught the first and only touchdown for the Sun Devils.
“That was like the best moment ever, obviously, like starting the team and being able to make the first inaugural touchdown, just insane, so I was very happy about that,” Sierra said.
Sierra said some athletes were competing in their first flag football game, cushioning some of the sting from the club’s opening loss. The Sun Devils also hope to fortify what could be a fierce women’s flag football rivalry with GCU.
“This is the worst it’s ever going to be,” Sierra said after the debut loss. “This is the worst it’s ever going to look, but you know, it’s only up from here. We’re going to keep working, you know, keep practicing.”
Sierra said she isn’t sure what is next for the team, but they’re trying to put together a schedule. She said it’s difficult with limited clubs to play against, but their regular practice schedule will continue.
Sierra, a sophomore studying sports journalism at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, hopes to one day open a public relations agency to inspire and advocate for women in sports. Sophia, also a sophomore, is studying parks recreation and sports management at ASU’s Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
Sophia loves doing everything with Sierra, calling her twin her “ride or die.”
The twins weren’t alone in celebrating the launch of ASU’s newest sports club; their parents, Sidney Smith and Susan Casper Smith, said they were more than proud of their daughters.
“They’re the most gracious and kind-hearted girls any parent could ask for,” Casper Smith said.
“You really want me to cry?” Sidney Smith said about the emotions he’s felt watching the game.
The Smith parents said they have been involved with the club since the beginning and even joined their daughters on prospect camps and out-of-state field trips.
“They (Smith parents) treat us like their kids, like when we’re around playing, so I just appreciate it so much,” ASU quarterback Allison Rodriquez said.
The Smiths and the Sun Devils had supporters stretched across the sideline.
“It wasn’t the outcome that they wanted, but they’re winners because this entire field was packed and everybody was rooting for them,” Casper Smith said.
The crowd wasn’t only significant for ASU, but GCU as well. It was the first game between the teams, the largest Division I flag football clubs in the state.
“Honestly, it’s amazing,” GCU co-captain Xiamara Drummer said. “I just love to see how flag football is emerging and just spreading around, and I’m hoping that this is a statement so that everyone, you know, all the D-1 schools can start adding flag to their programs.”
Drummer, a wide receiver, was involved in multiple game highlights, catching the last touchdown for GCU to cement the win for the Lopes.
“I couldn’t ask for a better crowd to be honest,” Drummer said. “I think it really helped, like the ambiance of it.”
The crowd included young girls, hopefully inspired by the game.
“I just do this cause I love the sport, but to see young girls smile like they could be in this position one day, is just so amazing,” Sophia Smith said. “This is a male-dominated sport, but hopefully in the future it will be a girl-dominated sport, and this is just the beginning.”
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