Doherty HS graduate among first Division 1 flag football athletes

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A Doherty High School graduate will be among the inaugural class of flag football athletes to play at the Division 1 level. The NCAA added flag football to the Emerging Sports for Women program in January, marking the beginning of Division 1 varsity play.

Growing up in a football family, Alyssa Ramos said she's always been drawn to the sport.

"She's been amazing. She’s always trained with her brothers, so it’s been a great thing,” said Joshua Ramos, Alyssa's father.

However, she didn't start playing flag football until her senior year in 2025 after she asked the athletic director to bring the sport to Doherty High School.

“[He said] if you get 18 girls to sign this paper, we’ll get flag football. So I ran around my school and literally got 18 signatures. And then the next year, flag football was able to come,” Alyssa said.

She excelled quickly, playing Division II at King University last year. She was named Freshman Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference on both offense and defense for Conference Carolinas.

When she heard the sport was expanding into Division I, she entered the transfer portal and committed to play at Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina this coming season.

“I just wanted more competition. I wanted to play the best of the best because I want to be the best of the best,” Alyssa said.

Alyssa said she has always dreamed of playing football at the highest collegiate level, and she hopes her story inspires young girls to never give up on their dreams. Alyssa also said she hopes to one day play in the Olympics or play nationally.

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