College Spotlight: Purdue University Northwest Flag Football with Coach Micah Lowe

The Flag Football Finder College Spotlight series gives athletes and families a closer look at programs across the country that are building the future of collegiate flag football. In each feature, we sit down with coaches to talk about their program, their philosophy, and what they’re looking for in recruits. This week, we spoke with Coach Micah Lowe, head coach of the brand-new Purdue University Northwest women’s flag football program in Hammond, Indiana.

Building Something New at Purdue Northwest

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will compete at the NCAA Division II level in the GLIAC Conference. The school has about 7,000 students and is just 30 minutes south of Chicago. Popular majors include:

• Engineering – one of PNW’s strongest academic programs
• Business
• Nursing

‍Athletes graduate with a Purdue degree, a credential that carries weight far beyond sports. PNW athletics also prides itself on academic achievement, with 19 consecutive semesters of a 3.0+ GPA across all teams. Coach Lowe aims to uphold that tradition as he launches the Pride’s inaugural women’s flag football season.

Coach Lowe’s Background

Coach Lowe grew up in Columbus, Ohio, playing under Hall of Fame high school coach John Magistro before competing collegiately at West Liberty (DII) and North Park University in Chicago. While at North Park, he founded Hands Team Academy (HTA), a training program specializing in catching technique and flag football development.

Highlights of his journey include:

• Running flag football clinics in nine countries, including some of the first U.S.-led women’s flag clinics in Mexico
  
  
• Launching HTA, the first-ever girls’ travel flag team in Illinois
  
  
• Coaching athletes who ranked among the top 100 nationally
  
  
• Moving into the college game at PNW earlier than planned when the opportunity opened
  

Coaching Philosophy: Detail and Culture

Coach Lowe’s philosophy blends innovation, technique, and culture.

• Technique first: Every practice is built around details-footwork, angles, and execution. He believes that mastering the little things separates good teams from great ones.
  
  
• Open and adaptable: Lowe wants athletes who can adjust in-game, read situations, and outthink opponents rather than just out-athlete them.
  
  
• Competitive culture: He’s looking for what he calls “real dogs”-players who thrive under pressure and embrace competition.
  
  
• Balance of leadership: While he wants future leaders, he also values what he calls “quality followers”-teammates who are willing to listen, learn, and support the team before stepping into leadership roles.
  

His ultimate goal is to develop athletes into leaders on and off the field-graduates who succeed not only in flag football but in life.

What He Looks For in Recruits

When evaluating athletes, Coach Lowe starts with what jumps off the film.

Key traits he values:

1. Speed and movement – athletes who look noticeably faster and smoother than their peers
   
   
2. Coachability – willingness to be corrected and ability to apply feedback
   
   
3. Character – verified through conversations with high school coaches and mentors
   
   
4. Competitiveness – the “dog” mentality to fight for every rep, every flag
   
   
5. Team fit – balancing humility with leadership potential

‍Position needs for upcoming classes:

• Quarterback: He wants three on the roster for depth.
  
  
• Dominant screener: Ideally 5’8”–5’10” with a strong lower body, wide frame, and good hands out of the backfield.
  
  
• Linebackers with speed: Not just quick, but skilled at pulling flags consistently.
  
  
• Receivers: Always a need, but versatility (able to play multiple spots) is a bonus.
  

Above all, he’s looking for good people-athletes who handle academics, respect teammates, and contribute to a positive culture.

Recruiting Approach

Coach Lowe recruits from multiple sources:

• Chicago-area training pipeline through HTA
  
  
• Instagram DMs (where he says his inbox is full of athletes)
  
  
• Scouting.Flag, which he credits as one of the few services that “really know the game”
  
  
• Tournaments and showcases, including:
  
  
  • AAU Junior Olympics (Houston)
    
  • Tampa Worlds
    
  • Disney World Championships (February)
    
  • AFMX in Mexico City
    
  • We Run the World
    
  • All-American Flag Football Youth (Unrivaled)
    

Advice for High School Athletes

Coach Lowe’s advice for recruits:

• Think long-term: Don’t pick a school just for flag football-make sure you’d attend even without it.
  
  
• Bring questions on visits: It shows maturity and genuine interest.
  
  
• Send clear film: Circle yourself so coaches can find you; if game film isn’t available, make training clips on your phone.
  
  
• Expect a vibe check: Recruiting is about fit-personality and communication matter as much as talent.
  

How to Get Noticed by Purdue Northwest

To get on Coach Lowe’s radar, send him:

• Highlight film (with you clearly marked)
  
  
• Graduation year, height, positions, and GPA
  
  
• Short training clips to show movement and skill
  

From there, he’ll evaluate whether you fit the program athletically and culturally.

Why This Spotlight Matters

Purdue Northwest offers the rare combination of a respected academic degree, a strong athletic culture, and a coach dedicated to building his program the right way. For recruits, it’s a chance to compete at the Division II level while earning a Purdue education-setting up success both on and off the field.

Interested in Purdue Northwest Flag Football? Check out their program on Flag Football Finder and start connecting today.