BUFFALO, NY – Villa Maria College held its first flag football camp as a preview to the upcoming season on Saturday, Feb. 14 at the Villa Maria Athletic Center.

"Saturday was a great example of the growth and energy that flag football is showing around the country," Flag Football Camp organizer Keith Wing said.

Nearly 50 attendees from the Buffalo, Rochester and Canada regions gathered with camp staff members and support personnel to run through drills to enhance skills while getting individual time with World Champion flag football star Izzy Geraci.

"Not only is Izzy Geraci probably the best women's flag football player in the world, she's also a 100% class act. She uses her platform to promote the sport in a positive manner at all times and she is a tremendous role model for up-and-coming athletes," said Wing, who was last season's National Collegiate Flag Football League Coach of the Year.

Geraci has represented the United States national team since 2024, winning the 2024 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Women's Flag Football World Championship in her debut. She previously played college basketball for the Cleveland State Vikings and the USC Upstate Spartans.

Among the talented staff with impressive credentials were defending state high school champion head coach Chris Edwards of Pioneer, SUNY Geneseo head coach Rob Currin, Villa Maria Defensive Coordinator Chris Heximer, D'Youville University head coach Jeff Weiss, SUNY Geneseo Offensive Coordinator Terry Summerfield and Villa Maria head coach Keith Wing.

"It was so powerful to see these young ladies engaging with our coaches, the player volunteers from SUNY Geneseo and Villa Maria, and with Izzy Geraci.  For many of these young players, flag football has become a part of their identity, and they work so hard to get better and learn.  It's really an incredible thing to see," added Wing, who hopes the camp will become a preseason workshop each February prior to the start of the official flag football season.