Bulldogs Set

the Standard

Championships, milestones, and momentum define a historic stretch for Drake Athletics.
It was a year that reflected the full strength of Drake Athletics—from honoring a century of tradition at Drake Stadium to meaningful progress across every program. Bulldogs delivered championships, earned academic recognition, and extended winning streaks that continue to redefine the standard. With national honors, postseason success, and a Super Bowl champion among its alumni, the past year captured what it means to compete—and succeed—the Drake way.
Together, these moments tell a bigger story: Drake isn’t just honoring its legacy—it’s actively shaping what comes next.
  • As the Bulldog community celebrated the 100th anniversary of Drake Stadium, Drake University proudly announced the launch of the Drake Stadium Centennial Campaign: a $6 million fundraising initiative to preserve the legacy and ensure the future of one of America’s most iconic athletic venues.
  • The 2025 Drake football team continued its dynastic run of success after securing its third consecutive Pioneer Football League championship, giving the Bulldogs an automatic bid into the FCS Playoffs.
  • The 2025 Drake men’s soccer team secured their first Missouri Valley Conference regular season crown in program history.
  • The 2025 Drake women’s soccer team were named Missouri Valley Conference regular season champions, their second regular season championship in the past three years.
  • Six Drake cross-country runners were recognized as part of the 2025 MVC Cross Country Scholar-Athlete teams. The Bulldogs had three men and three women earn academic honors. Gaven Corpin, Xander Kwa, and Jed Wilson represented the Drake men while Anastasia Kirillov, Breanna Burak, and Hannah Kilday were listed among the women’s honorees.
  • Drake University Director of Athletics Brian Hardin was named a winner of the 2026 NACDA Athletics Director of the Year Award from the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, just the second Drake athletics director to win this award.
  • The 2025–26 Drake men’s basketball team recorded its 11th straight victory in Missouri Valley Conference Tournament play, setting a new benchmark for the longest tournament game-winning streak by an MVC school. The Bulldogs also advanced to the semifinal round for the eighth consecutive year dating back to 2019.
Football players celebrate holding up a gold trophy while wearing Pioneer Football League Champions shirts.
A men's soccer team in matching champion shirts poses on an outdoor turf field behind a conference sign.
A women's soccer team in white champion shirts poses with their bulldog mascot on a field with a sign.
A female runner wearing a blue Drake bib and tank top competes in a cross-country race alongside opponents.
Two men in suits hold a white Drake Bulldogs football helmet together in front of a branded backdrop.
A basketball player in a blue Drake uniform drives past a defender during a game in a packed arena.
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