Des Moines – Drake Athletics Director Brian Hardin reports the University’s fall 2020 football season is canceled following today’s (Friday’s) decision from the Pioneer Football League.

The Pioneer Football League’s (PFL) Presidents Council announced that its league institutions will not conduct conference competition in fall 2020. The PFL membership is spread from coast-to-coast and throughout the Midwest which poses challenges related to team travel, as well as difficulties meeting applicable state, local and institutional health requirements and COVID-19 mitigation strategies. Officials said on social media, “Recognizing competition is an integral part of the student-athlete’s educational experience, the PFL is committed to exploring meaningful opportunities and experiences for football student-athletes this academic year, if this can be done reasonably and safely.”

Drake Athletics Director Brian Hardin said in a statement, “Last night, I met with our football team and informed them that they would not be competing this fall. The idea of not having Drake football play games over the next few months is disappointing on many levels. I feel terrible for our student-athletes, coaches, and staff in our football program. But my heart really goes out to our fifth-year senior student-athletes who made the decision to return for one final season and now, through no fault of their own, will not have the opportunity to play this fall.”