While pursuing their degrees at Reinhardt University, seniors Victoria Salmon and Tatianna Allicock helped build a sport from the ground up.
Both Salmon, a biology major, and Allicock, a sports studies major, arrived as freshmen members of the inaugural Eagles women’s flag football team. Now, as the program competes in its fourth season, they are preparing to graduate as two of the three seniors who played all four years.
Salmon, who is from Massachusetts, and Allicock, from Georgia, were drawn to Reinhardt’s scholarship opportunity to play on a collegiate level and to help launch a brand-new athletic program. Having developed a talent for playing flag football in high school, the chance to keep playing excited them both.
Being part of the original team became a meaningful experience. “I was speechless at first,” Allicock said. “We were making history because this had never been done, especially at this school. I always wanted flag football to be more of a common sport that people know, play, and watch.”
Salmon agreed, “I wanted it to grow because I wanted to play more teams and have people take it seriously. Now, I’m speechless that it’s growing so fast. And I like the way it’s going.”
When the Eagles’ team launched, the sport was still finding its footing in collegiate competition. But what began as a niche sport quickly expanded across the country. “In the beginning, we only had maybe 10 or 11 games in a season,” Allicock recalled. “Now we have 19 games because there are more teams. We’re traveling to states that have new competitors. There’s more exposure. It’s growing across the nation, and it’s going to be in the Olympics in 2028.”
Reinhardt’s program received national attention in 2023 when representatives from the College Football Hall of Fame came to witness the team in action. “They interviewed our coach, took pictures and recorded our practice,” Salmon recalled. “At the time, there were only two teams in Georgia. Now there are six and more launching soon.”
The challenges of advancing a new varsity program helped these undergraduates mature. Through coaching changes and roster turnover, they stepped up as leaders to support the team’s momentum. “I realized you have to roll with the punches and be your own fuel,” Salmon reflected. “This experience enhanced our leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. We’ve each grown a lot.”
The seniors are proud of what they accomplished while completing their academics. “I got to play flag football at a collegiate level and be part of the inaugural Reinhardt women’s flag football team,” Salmon exclaimed. “My goal was to take it as far as I could, and I did.”
With graduation approaching May 1, 2026, they are now focused on their futures. Salmon plans to continue her education and pursue a career in the medical field. She also hopes to stay connected to the sport: “I want to teach people the game and share my experience.” Allicock also plans to continue her education in sonography while pursuing her entrepreneurial interests of starting her own business.
Along with the third senior, Kaliah Wimbush, the women will always cherish the role they played. Allicock, Salmon, and Wimbush have supported the team every step of the way — helping build a foundation for future flag football athletes.
-By Suzy Alstrin
