Virginia Beach, VA — Virginia Wesleyan University is thrilled to announce the hiring of Jamaar Hawkins as the first-ever Head Coach of its newly launched Women's Flag Football program. This milestone marks a significant step in the University's continued investment in expanding athletic opportunities for women and establishing innovative programming that empowers student-athletes both on and off the field.

A former public school educator and long-time advocate for youth sports, Hawkins brings over a decade of leadership experience across education, technical writing, and athletic program development. He is the founder of I-64 Sports All Girls Flag Football League, the first league of its kind in the region, focused on empowering girls ages 6–18 through skill development, competition, and community.

"We are excited to welcome Coach Hawkins to the Marlin family," said Andrea Hoover-Erbig, Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Virginia Wesleyan University. "He brings not only experience and vision, but also a passion for mentoring athletes and building programs from the ground up. His work in launching one of the area's most successful girls' flag football leagues speaks volumes about his ability to lead with impact."

In his role with I-64 Sports, Hawkins developed a sustainable league structure, expanded team participation across multiple age groups, and led initiatives in marketing, event coordination, and staff development. His background also includes coaching junior varsity girls' basketball at I.C. Norcom High School, and a career in public education with roles ranging from Algebra Readiness Instructor to Elementary Math Teacher.

"I am honored to be selected as the first Head Coach of Women's Flag Football at Virginia Wesleyan," said Hawkins. "This is an exciting opportunity to build something special from the ground up—a program rooted in competition, leadership, and community. I look forward to shaping a culture where our athletes can thrive both on the field and in the classroom."