The first woman to receive an American football scholarship at the NCAA level — a kicker who broke barriers at Adams State University and inspired a generation of young women to pursue the sport at the highest collegiate level.
Becca Longo was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1999. In February 2017 she became the first woman to receive an American football scholarship at the NCAA level — offered a kicking scholarship by Adams State University in Colorado after playing high school football in Arizona as the only woman in her conference. Her scholarship offer generated national and international media coverage and attracted significant attention to women's participation in football. She went on to kick for Adams State and remained active as an ambassador for women in football, speaking at schools and events. Her story has been cited in academic and policy discussions about gender integration in football programmes.
First woman to receive NCAA football scholarship
Career Honours
- First woman to receive NCAA football scholarship
- Pioneer of women in college football
- Community ambassador for women in sport