As about 75 girls sat in the fieldhouse at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 18, they listened to a panel that consisted of U.S. Women's Flag National Team member Izzy Geraci, Bridgestone's Director of Customer Engagement for CFNA LaKisha Ellis, Ursuline College head Women's flag coach Ashley Shelatz and News5 Cleveland reporter Camryn Justice.
The panel kicked of the third annual Girls Flag Football Field Day, hosted by the Browns and Bridgestone, as a day designed to inspire and empower the next generation of athletes.
"I think it's just awesome, one to be out in the community and see that the sport is growing in Cleveland," Geraci said. "You hear about it all over America, but it's cool to see that in your hometown, and these girls want to come out and learn more about the sport and get better. And it's awesome to sit next to other panelists that have ingrained themselves in the sport and helped grow it. It's just so exciting to be here."
Bridgestone first partnered with the Browns seven years ago and began supporting the Girls Flag program in 2023. Bridgestone values how learning to lead on the field can prepare girls to lead in any field.
"At Bridgestone, we believe in the power of sport to inspire big dreams and create a better future for younger generations, because not every girl has equal access to those opportunities. That's why partnerships like this matter," Ellis said. "I am grateful for the opportunity to share my journey and real-world experience as a female in the largely male-dominated automotive and banking industries. It's an honor to be part of this event, I am proud to represent Bridgestone and CFNA, an organization that truly prioritizes and acts on the value of empowerment."
During the panel discussion, they covered topics such as opportunities in flag football, what traits they look for in athletes and career paths in sports, among other topics. Each panelist also shared their personal journey, touching on their ties to sports both growing up and presently.
"Just seeing the interest and the passion that the girls have for playing at the next level and just being a part of that as Ursuline is the first four-year college to offer flag football," Shelatz said. "And this is going to be our first season this spring. So, I think that's why having an opportunity to speak to these girls and just kind of see what they can work towards, I think that's important."
Following the panel, participants hit the field for a hands-on clinic focused on skill development and teamwork, laying the groundwork for the upcoming 2026 Spring Season, which will feature 120 schools participating in the season – doubling the number of participating schools from 2025. Browns T Dawand Jones also stopped by to support the athletes as they participated in the different drills.
The Browns continue to grow girls flag football across Ohio and create pathways for young women both on and off the field, with events such as the Girls Flag Football Field Day part of their latest efforts.
"It's super exciting, because I think about when I was a high school athlete, like flag football was not even on anybody's radar besides a powderpuff game," Sheltaz said. "So now, moving in through even being an adult and playing flag football, now having that opportunity to kind of start the girls out at an age that I wish I could have played, and then just grow from even elementary to middle, middle to high school, high school to college, college to the Olympics. I mean, there's a long line of opportunity for the girls to be able to play a sport that they love."
