HBCU Legends

College Football History: Female Student-Athletes Play In FCS, Division III Games

Female student-athletes make history by playing in FCS and Division III games.

Kyle T. Mosley

Saturday's slate of games had two women to make college football history — one with Jackson State and the other at Shenandoah. Freshman placekicker Leilani Armenta became the first woman to play football in Jackson State University's program history. She is a defender on the JSU women's soccer team. An injury to the placekicker forced Coach T.C. Taylor to add Armenta to the roster for Saturday's game against Bethune-Cookman.

Haley Van Voorhis and Leilani Armenta
Safety Haley Van Voorhis (Shenandoah) and Placekicker Leilani Armenta (Jackson State)

Armenta played soccer and served as a kicker at St. Bonaventure High School in Ventura, California. She successfully made 98 out of 105 extra-point attempts during her career and was perfect in all five field goals. She was recognized as First-Team All-Marmonte League in 2021 and received an honorable mention in 2022.

Haley Van Voorhis played safety for the Division III Shenandoah Hornets and became the first female non-kicker to appear in a college football game at the NCAA or NAIA level.

Published
Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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