Becca Longo Becomes 1st Woman on Scholarship at DII Football Level or Higher

Basha High School kicker Becca Longo is set to become the first woman to play college football at the Division II level or higher while on scholarship.

Kyle Bonagura of ESPN reported Longo signed her letter of intent to play for Adams State on Wednesday. While there have been approximately 12 women to play football at the collegiate level, she'll reportedly be the first one to play in such a high division and receive a scholarship.

"I didn't know that until today," Longo, who will also play basketball for the Grizzlies, said. "I'm still in shock from it. I'm just amazed."

She posted a message on social media from the signing ceremony:

Adams State head coach Timm Rosenbach told Richard Obert of AZCentral Sports his new kicker's gender had nothing to do with the decision to offer her a spot on the team.

"I never heard of [her status as the first woman on scholarship] before," Rosenbach said. "I don't look at it that way. My wife is a former pro athlete. I see her as a football player who earned it."

He added: "It was like recruiting any other athlete. In Division II, we can see their workouts. To me, there is no doubt she can be competitive. She has a strong leg and she can be very accurate."

Longo made 35 of her 38 extra-point attempts during the 2016 season and also connected on a 30-yard field goal the only time she was called upon for a team that usually went for it on fourth down, according to the ESPN report.

"I'm ready to compete," she said. "I don't really have any expectations beyond that."

Adams State, which is located in Alamosa, Colorado, is scheduled to open its 2017 campaign on the road against Black Hills State in South Dakota on Saturday, Sept. 2.

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