Knox College has named Akyia Baker as coach of its new women’s flag football program.

Prairie Fire women’s flag football will debut as a club sport in spring 2027, with plans to transition to varsity status for the 2027-28 academic year.

“The chance to be a part of a sport that is growing so fast right now was an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up,” Baker said in a Knox College news release. “I wanted a role where I could step up, lead and build a program from the ground up here at Knox.”

Baker has served as flag football assistant coach and program coordinator since January 2025 at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana, where she also has worked as athletics operations assistant since August 2025. The Purdue Northwest Pride had a 9-3 record in its first season.

“Coach Ky immediately stood out for her energy and passion, not only for the game of flag football, but for competition,” Knox College Director of Athletics Justin Newell said. “It was clear she wants to be more than a coach; she wants to be an active, engaged member of the Knox community. I’m so excited for her to lead our new program.”

According to the release, flag football has been one of the fastest-growing sports in the country at the youth, high school and collegiate levels.