Marian Athletics Announces Addition of Flag Football

One of the fastest growing sports, Marian University Athletics found itself on the forefront for the sport becoming the first four-year higher-education institution to announce the addition of the sport.

Flag football is a form of football that has players wear flags around a belt that are pulled off rather than traditional tackling.  The uniqueness of flag football allows players of various sizes, ages, and genders a new opportunity to compete in football.  The non-contact sport has become one of the fastest growing sports in large part to its safe and inclusive nature.  It also does not require the purchase of expensive equipment that is associated with tackle football.  

The International Olympic Committee announced in October 2023 that flag football will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, only fueling the growth of the sport.

The Sabres recently announced the first head coach to lead the program in Max Denning.  Denning joins the athletic department with a diverse background coaching women's football including the Oregon Ravens of the Women's National Football Conference (WNFC).  He also spent time in the United Kingdom coaching for the Bristol Aztecs and SGS College.

The 26th intercollegiate sport sponsored by Marian, flag football is scheduled to play its inaugural season in the spring of 2026. 
 

Marian NCAA Men's Hockey Defeats No. 7 Trine in the Final Seconds

With the end of the regular season on the horizon, it was crunch time for the Marian University NCAA men's hockey team to gain leverage in the NCHA standings. 

In the penultimate weekend of the season, the Sabres found themselves on home ice for a two-game set with No. 7 Trine.  Against a Thunder team that was primarily known for its stingy defense, the Sabres erupted for five goals and an upset victory after scoring the game-winner with just 10.3 seconds left.  The five goals scored was the second-most goals Trine allowed during the regular season.

The opening period was scoreless but Trine was able to quickly take the lead with two goals in the first 4:27 of the second.  Marian was able to rally when seniors Daunte Fortner and Matteo Pecchia scored to send the game into the third period knotted at 2-2.

Marian took its first lead of the game with a goal from freshman Brendan Bottem 4:34 into the third stanza.  The two squads traded goals with the Thunder eventually tying the game with 8:02 on the clock.  With the game looking like it was destined for overtime, Fortner netted his second goal of the game with just 10.3 ticks left to give Marian its lone win over a ranked opponent for the season.

The Sabres went on to qualify for the NCHA Harris Cup Playoffs and were led by junior Noah Pickart who was named All-NCHA and a Second Team All-American by DIIIHockeyNews.com.  Freshman Tyler Fromolz also earned a spot on the NCHA All-Freshman Team.