Empowering the Next Generation of Coaches:
Inside the Females in Flag Coaching Summit
In Partnership with the Minnesota Vikings and the RCX Sports Foundation
March 21, 2026 | TCO Performance Center, Eagan, Minnesota
On Saturday, March 21st, more than 60 coaches from across Minnesota gathered at the TCO Performance Center — the Minnesota Vikings’ headquarters and training facility in Eagan — for a day unlike any other. The Females in Flag Coaching Summit, presented by the Minnesota Vikings in partnership with the RCX Sports Foundation, brought together current and aspiring coaches of girls and women’s flag football for a full day of learning, connection, and shared purpose.
From on-field drills led by the Minnesota Vixen to expert sessions on coaching psychology, athlete safety, and culture-building, the Summit was a powerful reminder of just how far girls flag football has come — and how much further it can go with the right people leading the way.
A Day Built for Coaches, By Leaders Who Care
The Summit was designed with one goal in mind: equip coaches with the tools, knowledge, and community they need to build thriving programs for girls and women in flag football. The event was free to attendees — a reflection of the shared commitment between the Minnesota Vikings and the RCX Sports Foundation to invest in the people shaping the future of the game.
With a strong group of coaches in attendance representing communities from across Minnesota, the energy in the room was electric. Whether they were veteran coaches or just getting started, every attendee left with something valuable.
What the Coaches Learned
Practice Planning — Kaiya Sygulla
Kaiya Sygulla, Head Girls Flag Football Coach at Bloomington (Jefferson/Kennedy co-op) and Minnesota Vixen Alumni, opened the day with a deep dive into practice planning. Her session gave coaches a practical framework for designing practices that are purposeful, efficient, and engaging for young athletes.
On-Field Skills and Drills Rotation — The Minnesota Vixen
Coaches hit the field for a hands-on skills and drills rotation led by the Minnesota Vixen coaching staff. The session was led by:
- Emily Evans, Vixen QB Coach
- Alexander-Paul Ogbeide, Vixen RB Coach
- Kayla Ross, Vixen TE Coach and Head Coach, St. Louis Park Girls High School Flag
- Kaiya Sygulla, Head Girls Flag Football Coach, Bloomington (Jefferson/Kennedy co-op) and Vixen Alumni
This rotation gave coaches the opportunity to work through position-specific drills they could take directly back to their teams.
Culture Over Coverages — Cassidy Lettow
Cassidy Lettow, Minnesota Vixen Flag Football Head Coach and Heritage Girls Flag Football Head Coach, delivered one of the most talked-about sessions of the day. Her presentation, titled “Culture Over Coverages: Building Skill, Community, and Confidence in First-Time Flag Players,” challenged coaches to think beyond X’s and O’s and focus on the environment they create for their athletes — especially those brand new to the game.
Heat and Hydration — Gillian Frey
Gillian Frey, Senior Sports Safety Analyst at the Korey Stringer Institute, led an essential session on heat and hydration safety. With summer seasons on the horizon, coaches walked away with evidence-based strategies to keep their athletes safe both on and off the field.
The partnership between the Korey Stringer Institute and the Minnesota Vikings is rooted in a shared commitment to athlete safety and education. Named in honor of former Vikings player Korey Stringer, the institute works closely with the organization to promote best practices around heat safety, hydration, and overall player health. Through collaborative events, research-backed resources, and community outreach, the two continue to honor Stringer’s legacy while actively protecting athletes at all levels of the game.
Coaching HER — Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi
Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi, PhD, Director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, closed out the educational sessions with a powerful presentation based on the Tucker Center’s Coaching HER modules. Her session covered the unique needs of female athletes, navigating gender stereotypes and bias, the importance of body confidence, and how coaches can adapt their communication and approach to better support the girls they coach.
Why This Summit Matters
Girls and women’s flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. The NCAA recently voted to add women’s flag football as an Emerging Sport for Women, putting it on the path to varsity status at colleges and universities nationwide. Flag football is also set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
But growth at the top only happens when the foundation is strong — and that foundation is built by coaches. The Females in Flag Coaching Summit was a direct investment in that foundation, giving the coaches on the front lines the resources and community they need to do their jobs well.
Building the Future, Together
The Females in Flag Coaching Summit is exactly the kind of event the sport needs more often. By bringing together these coaches under one roof — from college and high school head coaches to community volunteers just finding their footing — the Minnesota Vikings and RCX Sports Foundation created something rare: a space where coaches felt seen, supported, and inspired.
Because when we invest in coaches, we invest in every athlete they will ever lead.
