Drake Bulldogs
| Drake Bulldogs | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| University | Drake University |
| Conference |
Missouri Valley Conference Pioneer Football League Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference |
| NCAA | Division I |
| Athletic director | Sandy Hatfield Clubb |
| Location | Des Moines, Iowa |
| Varsity teams | 16 |
| Football stadium | Drake Stadium (football, track) |
| Basketball arena | Knapp Center |
| Mascot | Spike (costumed) Griff (live) |
| Nickname | Bulldogs |
| Colors | Blue and White |
| Website | www |
The Drake Bulldogs are the intercollegiate athletics teams of Drake University located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. The Bulldogs' athletic program is a member of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) and competes at the NCAA Division I level. Drake also sponsors teams in the Pioneer Football League and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Drake's live bulldog mascot is Griff, a retired show dog; the costumed mascot is Spike; and the school colors are blue and white.
Drake University athletics began in 1893. and since 1910, the school has been home to and sponsor of what has become one of the world's premier collegiate athletic events, the annual Drake Relays track and field meet held in April.
A member of the Missouri Valley Conference, Drake University sponsors teams in eight men's and ten women's NCAA sanctioned sports:
Drake University began its athletics program in 1893 with football, baseball, and men's track. The men's basketball program began in 1906. In 1907, Drake joined the Missouri Valley Conference, having previously played as an independent. The teams were known as "The Drakes" until 1908, when John L. Griffith, the newly appointed football coach, brought English Bulldogs to the sidelines of games, prompting Des Moines Register sports editor Art Gordon to dub the teams "the Bulldogs". Drake's current live mascot, Griff, is named for Griffith as a result.
Griffith was later instrumental in another major component of Drake athletics when he organized the first Drake Relays in 1910. The Relays moved to Drake Stadium when it opened in 1925.
Drake played the first-ever night game at Soldier Field in 1930, falling to Oregon Oregon 14-7.
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