Walsh University Joins MSFL for 2023 Season

NORTH CANTON, OH- Walsh University is pleased to announce the addition of a new sport to the University's athletic program: men's sprint football team.  The search for coaches for the new sport will begin immediately so that the teams may compete beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.

"After a year of research and reflection, we are delighted to move forward with enhancing our portfolio of competitive athletic programming," said Walsh University President Dr. Tim Collins. "Our student-athletes excel in the classroom and on the field while demonstrating core values such as integrity, service and community. We are committed to athletics playing a critical part as we seek to be an education partner for life for our students and alumni."

Walsh will be joining the newly formed Midwest Sprint Football League (MSFL) next fall and looks to roster 50 athletes for its inaugural season. Men's sprint football originated in 1934 by the president of the University of Pennsylvania who wanted to ensure that smaller, talented student-athletes still had opportunities to compete at the intercollegiate level. The sport has produced some big-time alums, including NFL coaching legend George Allen. With a focus on speed and agility, sprint football follows all the standard American football rules, including 11 on 11 format, but it requires all players to weigh 178 pounds or less and have a minimum of 5% body fat to be eligible.

According to Walsh University Head Football Coach John Fankhauser, sprint football will give more athletes a chance to play.

"We are in the football capital of the world," said Head Coach Fankhauser. "Adding a sprint team will give more students the opportunity to compete in a sport they love at the collegiate level. They'll have different coaching staffs, uniforms, and entirely different schedules."

Walsh University Athletics' press release can be found here: https://athletics.walsh.edu/news/2022/10/19/general-walsh-university-adding-varsity-stunt-and-sprint-football-to-athletic-programs.aspx