Arizona Christian University is making history this year with the launch of its first-ever women’s flag football team, led by Head Coach Michael Maccagnano Jr. A lifelong football player and seasoned coach, Maccagnano’s journey to ACU is deeply personal. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, he has been involved in the game since childhood, playing at both the collegiate and higher levels before transitioning to coaching 16 years ago.
His introduction to women’s flag football began five years ago when his daughter, Catarina Christina “CC” Maccagnano, invited him to check out a practice. What started as a quick visit turned into a passion. “From that day on, I fell in love with coaching women in this sport,” he says. He coached CC through high school and now has the unique privilege of coaching her again as she transfers home from Warner University in Florida to be part of ACU’s inaugural season.
Building a Team with Purpose
For this first season, recruiting went far beyond skill. Coach Maccagnano sought out student-athletes who are not only talented but also committed to living out their faith. Many come from multi-sport backgrounds, and several already have competitive flag football experience. “What really stood out,” he explains, “was their character and their desire to be part of something bigger than themselves.”
The assistant coaching staff reflects the same priorities—strong football knowledge paired with a passion for discipleship. “We’re building a program that keeps Christ at the center of everything we do—competition, preparation, and relationships,” Maccagnano says.
Goals for the First Season
While establishing a biblical culture is priority number one, the team is also aiming high on the field. “We want to glorify God in everything we do,” Maccagnano shares, “but we also want to win—and win the right way.”
The program’s competitive goal is clear: to set a championship standard from the very first season and to pursue the first-ever GSAC women’s flag football conference championship. Through hard work, discipline, and unity, the team plans to compete at the highest level while staying rooted in its mission.
A Sport on the Rise
Women’s flag football is rapidly growing across Arizona and the nation. Recently sanctioned at the high school level in Arizona, the sport has seen incredible participation. Nationally, organizations like the NFL and the NAIA are investing in its development, and it will be featured for the first time in the 2028 Olympics.
For Maccagnano, the growth of the sport is more than an athletic milestone—it’s a ministry opportunity. “It’s a way to reach young women who may have never stepped into a church, but who are now hearing truth, being prayed over, and experiencing the love of Christ through coaches and teammates,” he says.
More Than a Season—A Legacy
This inaugural season marks the start of something much bigger than a scoreboard. The players are trailblazers, setting a foundation for future Firestorm athletes in both sport and faith. Their commitment to humility, grace, and strength is already shaping a lasting legacy.
The Firestorm women’s flag football team will host its first-ever home game this spring, and the ACU community is invited to join in prayer and support for this historic moment. In addition to competing, the team is planning youth flag football clinics and community service projects to live out their mission both on and off the field.
As Maccagnano puts it, “We believe excellence honors God, and we’re here to build a program that reflects that—on every level.”
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