Calhoun Announces New Women’s Flag Football Head Coach and Tryouts

Calhoun Community College is excited to announce Bart Stephenson as the new head coach of its first-ever women's flag football team, set to kick off in Fall 2025. To jumpstart this historic program, Calhoun will host open tryouts on Sunday, March 9 for students interested in joining the team.

"We are extremely proud to announce the appointment of our very own Bart Stephenson as the head coach of Calhoun's new women's flag football team," said Dr. Jimmy Hodges, Calhoun President. "Coach Stephenson's passion for athletics, extensive coaching experience across multiple sports, and dedication to student-athlete development make him the perfect leader to launch this groundbreaking program. We are confident he will build a strong, competitive team while promoting both academic and personal growth," Hodges adds.

Stephenson, who is entering his sixth coaching season at Calhoun, also serves as the head softball and intramural sports coach. He brings over 17 years of coaching experience in football, baseball, basketball, and softball at the high school level. A graduate of Mt. Hope High School, Stephenson was a standout three-sport athlete, earning All-State honors in football and excelling in baseball with an impressive .497 batting average and 14 home runs. His collegiate career at Northwest Community College was equally remarkable, where he earned MVP honors with batting averages of .398 as a freshman and .397 as a sophomore. In 2008, Stephenson earned a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education from Athens State University. His achievements on and off the field earned him induction into the Lawrence County Sports Hall of Fame alongside his father, Elwyn, and brother, Stan Stephenson. Recognized for his outstanding coaching abilities, he was named Coach of the Year by the Decatur Daily in 2014.

"I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have been selected," said Stephenson. "The trust that my director and the college's administration have placed in me to develop and lead this program is deeply humbling. My aim is not only to recruit a talented and competitive team, but also to create scholarship opportunities for young women striving to earn their college degrees," added Stephenson.

This Flag Football Showcase/Combine will offer athletes an opportunity to display their skills and compete for full-tuition scholarships to Calhoun.

The tryout details are as follows:

• Date: Sunday, March 9
• Location: Calhoun Community College (Building TBD)
• Check-In: 1:30 PM
• Combine: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Eligibility: Open to 2025 – 2027 high school graduates
• Cost: $50 per player

 "Women's flag football is not just about competition; it's about teamwork, discipline, and providing life-changing opportunities," said Kassie Mathis, Calhoun's Vice President of Student Services. "Offering this program reflects our commitment to student success and community engagement," Mathis adds.

Calhoun will compete in the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) alongside institutions like Shelton State, Snead State, and others. The regular season will feature up to 16 games, promising an action-packed year of competition.

"Coach Stephenson brings an infectious excitement and passion for the sport that I am certain will be felt by his student-athletes. This is a wonderful opportunity for female athletes and, as always, Calhoun Athletics is committed to providing a first-class experience," commented AJ Daugherty, Calhoun's Athletics Director.

For more information about tryouts, please contact Coach Bart Stephenson at 256-306-2983 or via email at bart.stephenson@calhoun.edu.