Pioneer Football League: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Cewbot (talk | contribs)
Bots
4,771,659 edits
m Fixing broken anchor: #NCAA Division I playoff bracket→most alike anchor 2022 NCAA Division I FCS football season#Bracket
 
(284 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox athletic conference
{{short description|Football-only athletic conference}}
{{Infobox sports league
| name = Pioneer Football League
| name = Pioneer Football League
| color = #956A50; {{box-shadow border|a|#FFFFFF|2px}}
| short_name =
| established = 1991
| font_color = white
| logo = Pioneer Football League logo.png
| logo = Pioneer Football League logo.svg
| logo_size = 180
| logo_size = 250
| founded = {{start date and age|1991}}
| association = [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]
| association = [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]
| division = [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]]
| division = [[NCAA Division I|Division I]]
| subdivision = [[Football Championship Subdivision|FCS]]
| subdivision = [[Football Championship Subdivision|FCS]]
| members = 11 in 2014
| teams = 11
| sports = 1 (football)
| sports = 1 (football)
| mens = 1
| mens = 1
| womens = 0
| womens = 0
| region = [[United States|Nationwide]]
| region = [[United States|Nationwide]]
| headquarters = [[St. Louis, Missouri]]
| former_names =
| hq_city = St. Louis
| commissioner = Greg Walter
| hq_state = Missouri
| since = 2023
| website = {{URL|https://www.pioneer-football.org/|pioneer-football.org}}
| commissioner = Patty Viverito
| since = 1994
| map = Pioneer Football League map.png
| website = [http://www.pioneer-football.org pioneer-football.org]
| color = 654321
| font_color = FFFFFF
| map = Pioneer Football League Map.svg
| map_size = 250
| map_size = 250
}}
}}
The '''Pioneer Football League''' ('''PFL''') is a collegiate [[List of NCAA conferences|athletic conference]] which operates in the United States. The conference participates in the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]'s [[NCAA Division I|Division I]] [[Football Championship Subdivision]] (FCS) as a [[College football|football]]-only conference. It has member schools that range from [[New York (state)|New York]], [[North Carolina]], and [[Florida]] in the east to [[California]] in the west. It is headquartered in [[St. Louis]], in the same complex that also contains the offices of the [[Missouri Valley Conference]] and [[Missouri Valley Football Conference]]. Unlike most other Division I FCS conferences, the Pioneer League consists of institutions that choose not to award [[athletic scholarship]]s ("grants-in-aid") to football players.


Most of the PFL's members are private schools. [[Morehead State University]] is currently the only public school in the conference.
The '''Pioneer Football League''' ('''PFL''') is a collegiate [[List of NCAA conferences|athletic conference]] which operates in the East, Midwest, and California of the [[United States]]. It has member schools that range from [[New York]], [[North Carolina]], and [[Florida]] in the east to [[California]] in the west. The conference participates in the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]'s [[Football Championship Subdivision|Division I Football Championship Subdivision]] (FCS) as a [[American football|football]]-only conference. Unlike most other Division I FCS conferences, the Pioneer League consists of institutions that choose not to award [[athletic scholarship]]s ("grants-in-aid") to football players.

Most of the PFL's members are private schools. [[Morehead State University]] is the only public school in the conference.


== History ==
== History ==

=== Foundation ===
=== Foundation ===
Following an NCAA rule change passed in January 1991, which required Division I schools to conduct all sports at the Division I level by 1993, the conference was formed by charter members [[Butler University]], the [[University of Dayton]], [[Drake University]], the [[University of Evansville]], and [[Valparaiso University]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iRBeAAAAIBAJ&dq=pioneer%20football%20league&pg=4135%2C4871998|title=Drake joins new league|date=November 22, 1991|newspaper=The Telegraph-Herald |pages=Page 1B|access-date=July 1, 2012|location=Dubuque, Iowa}}</ref> The [[University of San Diego]] joined in 1992, and the league played its first season in 1993. The six original schools which played in the 1993 season had previously sponsored football at the Division I, Division II and Division III levels.
[[File:Pioneer Football League logo (basic).PNG|thumb|Alternate Logo]]
Following an NCAA rule change passed in January 1991, which required Division I schools to conduct all sports at the Division I level by 1993, the conference was formed by charter members [[Butler University]], the [[University of Dayton]], [[Drake University]], the [[University of Evansville]], and [[Valparaiso University]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iRBeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=B2ANAAAAIBAJ&dq=pioneer%20football%20league&pg=4135%2C4871998|title=Drake joins new league|date=November 22, 1991|publisher=The Telegraph-Herald|pages=Page 1B|accessdate=1 July 2012|location=Des Moines, Iowa}}</ref> The [[University of San Diego]] joined in 1992, and the league played its first season in 1993. Talk of [[Creighton University]] and [[Bradley University]] joining the league in its origins never materialized by 1993.<!--{{Fact}} begin-->{{fix
| link = Wikipedia:Citation needed
| text = citation needed
| class = noprint Template-Fact
| title = This claim needs references to reliable sources
}}<!--{{Fact}} end--> The six original schools which played in the 1993 season had previously sponsored football at the Division I, Division II and Division III levels.


===Membership changes===
===Membership changes===

'''Original contraction'''
'''Original contraction'''


In 1997, the league reduced to five members when the [[University of Evansville]] downgraded football from Division I to club status; Evansville explored upgrading football back to Division I in 2007, but decided against it.
In 1997, the league was reduced to five members when the [[University of Evansville]] downgraded football from Division I to club status.


'''2001 expansion'''
'''2001 expansion'''
Line 50: Line 39:
In 2001, the conference nearly doubled in size and was reorganized with the five pre-2001 members forming the North Division, and newcomers [[Austin Peay State University]], [[Davidson College]], [[Jacksonville University]] and [[Morehead State University]] forming the South Division. The reorganization spawned a new championship system in which the best record holders from each division would play in a title game for the conference championship.
In 2001, the conference nearly doubled in size and was reorganized with the five pre-2001 members forming the North Division, and newcomers [[Austin Peay State University]], [[Davidson College]], [[Jacksonville University]] and [[Morehead State University]] forming the South Division. The reorganization spawned a new championship system in which the best record holders from each division would play in a title game for the conference championship.


'''2005&ndash;2008 membership changes'''
'''2005–2008 membership changes'''


On April 8, 2005, Austin Peay announced its departure from the league effective after the 2005 season; Austin Peay returned to scholarship-granting competition in 2007 as a member of the [[Ohio Valley Conference]] in which it competes in other sports. As a result, the conference reverted to round-robin play; the divisions and championship game were abolished. On April 7, 2006, [[Campbell University]] announced the reinstatement of football effective in 2008, and on December 5, 2007, accepted an invitation to the PFL.<ref>[http://www.gocamels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15300&ATCLID=1346432]</ref> In February 2008, [[Marist College]] announced that it would join the PFL for the 2009 season, after the [[Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference|MAAC]] stopped sponsoring football.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/12/sports/ncaafootball/12marist.html|title=Marist gets a National Stage and Travel Schedule|publisher= nytimes.com|date=September 11, 2009}}</ref> Although Campbell moved in 2011 from the [[Atlantic Sun Conference]] to the [[Big South Conference]], which sponsors football, it did not join the Big South in football and remains in the PFL.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.bigsouthsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4800&ATCLID=3738030 |title=Campbell University To Re-Join Big South Conference |publisher=Big South Conference |date=May 14, 2009 |accessdate=October 5, 2010}}</ref>
On April 8, 2005, Austin Peay announced its departure from the league effective after the 2005 season; Austin Peay returned to scholarship-granting competition in 2007 as a member of the [[Ohio Valley Conference]] in which it competes in other sports. As a result, the conference reverted to round-robin play; the divisions and championship game were abolished. On April 7, 2006, [[Campbell University]] announced the reinstatement of football effective in 2008, and on December 5, 2007, accepted an invitation to the PFL.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gocamels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15300&ATCLID=1346432|title=Campbell University Accepts Invitation to Join Pioneer Football League|work=GoCamels.com|date=December 5, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718121929/http://www.gocamels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15300&ATCLID=1346432|archive-date=July 18, 2011|access-date=December 6, 2007}}</ref> In February 2008, [[Marist College]] announced that it would join the PFL for the 2009 season, after the [[Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference|MAAC]] stopped sponsoring football.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/12/sports/ncaafootball/12marist.html|title=Marist gets a National Stage and Travel Schedule|newspaper= nytimes.com|date=September 11, 2009}}</ref> Although Campbell moved in 2011 from the [[ASUN Conference|Atlantic Sun Conference]]<!--Conference hadn't started using the "ASUN" branding at that time.--> to the [[Big South Conference]], which sponsors football, it did not join the Big South in football and remained in the PFL through the 2017 season.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.bigsouthsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4800&ATCLID=3738030 |title=Campbell University To Re-Join Big South Conference |publisher=Big South Conference |date=May 14, 2009 |access-date=October 5, 2010}}</ref>


'''2013 membership changes & automatic playoff berth'''
'''2013 membership changes & automatic playoff berth'''


On June 13, 2011, [[Mercer University]] and [[Stetson University]] were announced as league members (effective 2013) bringing membership to 12 schools.<ref>http://www.pioneer-football.org/news/default/21/602/</ref> In addition, as of 2013, the league has an automatic bid into the FCS division I playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2012/08/23/pioneer-football-league-officially-announces-automatic-bid/|title=Pioneer Football League officially announces automatic bid|last=Birch|first=Tommy|date=August 23, 2012|publisher=Des Moines Register|accessdate=24 August 2012}}</ref> Soon after its PFL membership was announced, Mercer accepted an invitation to join the [[Southern Conference]] (scholarship-granting) effective July 1, 2014.<ref>[http://collegefootball.ap.org/article/vmi-etsu-mercer-join-socon VMI, ETSU, Mercer to join SoCon | College Football<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> During its one season in the league, Mercer set a Division I win-loss record for start-up programs; Mercer finished the 2013 season with an overall record of 10-2 including an undefeated 8-0 record at home, also a Division I record held jointly with [[Auburn University]], which likewise went undefeated at home in 2013.
On June 13, 2011, [[Mercer University]] and [[Stetson University]] were announced as league members (effective 2013) bringing membership to 12 schools.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pioneer-football.org/news/default/21/602/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825061708/http://www.pioneer-football.org:80/news/default/21/602/|title=Mercer University, Stetson University to join Pioneer Football League in 2013|date=June 13, 2011|archive-date=August 25, 2011|access-date=August 20, 2011}}</ref> In addition, as of 2013, the league has an automatic bid into the FCS division I playoffs.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2012/08/23/pioneer-football-league-officially-announces-automatic-bid/|title=Pioneer Football League officially announces automatic bid|last=Birch|first=Tommy|date=August 23, 2012|newspaper=Des Moines Register|access-date=August 24, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130928124437/http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2012/08/23/pioneer-football-league-officially-announces-automatic-bid|archive-date=September 28, 2013}}</ref> Soon after its PFL membership was announced, Mercer accepted an invitation to join the [[Southern Conference]] (scholarship-granting) effective July 1, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://collegefootball.ap.org/article/vmi-etsu-mercer-join-socon|title=VMI, ETSU, Mercer to join SoCon|work=College Football|access-date=December 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044226/http://collegefootball.ap.org/article/vmi-etsu-mercer-join-socon|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> During its one season in the league, Mercer set a Division I win–loss record for start-up programs; Mercer finished the 2013 season with an overall record of 10–2 including an undefeated 8–0 record at home, also a Division I record held jointly with [[Auburn Tigers football|Auburn University]], which likewise went undefeated at home in [[2013 Auburn Tigers football team|2013]].


On July 1, 2014, [[Mercer University]] joined the [[Southern Conference]] for all sports including football.
On July 1, 2014, [[Mercer University]] joined the [[Southern Conference]] for all sports, including football.


The next change in conference membership was announced on November 14, 2016, when Campbell announced it would transition to scholarship football and add that sport to its existing Big South membership effective with the 2018 season, temporarily reducing the PFL membership to 10.<ref name="Campbell to Big South">{{cite press release |url=http://campbell.edu/news/item/fighting-camels-football-to-join-big-south-in-2018 |title=Fighting Camels football to join Big South in 2018 |publisher=Campbell University |date=November 14, 2016 |access-date=November 14, 2016}}</ref> Barring any further changes to conference membership, the PFL would have returned to 11 members in 2021, following the November 20, 2017 announcement of [[Presbyterian Blue Hose football|Presbyterian College]] that it would join the conference starting with the 2021 season. Presbyterian remains in the Big South Conference for all other sports.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.presby.edu/about/2017/11/19/presbyterian-college-unveils-new-strategic-plan/|title=Presbyterian College Unveils New Strategic Plan |date=November 19, 2017|publisher=Presbyterian College |access-date=November 20, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> While Presbyterian did not become a full conference member until July 2021, it began PFL play in the spring 2021 season, rescheduled from fall 2020 due to [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19]]. After two PFL members chose not to play in the 2020–21 school year, the conference entered into a scheduling agreement with Presbyterian that included it in the spring 2021 schedule. While PC was not eligible for the PFL title in that season, it was eligible for the league's individual awards and honors.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.pioneer-football.org/news/archives/2020/1590/pfl-announces-updated-spring-schedule/ |title=PFL Announces Updated Spring Schedule |publisher=Pioneer Football League |date=February 2, 2021 |accessdate=May 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.pioneer-football.org/news/archives/2020/1632/valparaisos-washington-san-diegos-glajchen-highlight-2020-21-pfl-major-award-recipients/ |title=Valparaiso's Washington, San Diego's Glajchen Highlight 2020-21 PFL Major Award Recipients |publisher=Pioneer Football League |date=April 26, 2021 |accessdate=May 7, 2021}}</ref>
==Member schools==

'''2019: Jacksonville drops football'''

On December 3, 2019 Jacksonville University announced that it discontinued its football program immediately.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Moretti III |first1=Matt |title=Jacksonville University Discontinues Football |url=https://judolphins.com/news/2019/12/3/jacksonville-university-discontinues-football.aspx |website=judolphins.com |publisher=[[Jacksonville Dolphins|Jacksonville Athletics]] |access-date=December 3, 2019}}</ref>

'''2021: Further expansion'''


Presbyterian was joined as a new PFL member in 2021 by the [[University of St. Thomas (Minnesota)|University of St. Thomas]], a [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul|Twin Cities]] school that had been expelled from its longtime Division III home of the [[Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference]] (MIAC) effective in 2021–22. Shortly after the MIAC announced St. Thomas' expulsion, the [[Summit League]], a non-football Division I conference, offered the [[St. Thomas (Minnesota) Tommies|Tommies]] membership. The NCAA announced on July 15, 2020 that it had granted a waiver to allow St. Thomas to make the jump to D-I on a five-year schedule, instead of the four years used for moves from Division II. The Tommies will not be eligible for the FCS playoffs until the transition is completed in 2026.<ref>{{cite news |first=Emily |last=Haugen |title=BREAKING: St. Thomas approved to begin transition to Division I athletics |url=https://www.tommiemedia.com/news/breaking-st-thomas-approved-to-begin-transition-to-division-i-athletics/ |work=TommieMedia |location=[[Minneapolis]], Minnesota |date=July 15, 2020 |access-date=July 16, 2020}}</ref>

==Member schools==
===Current members===
===Current members===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!Institution
!Institution
!Location
!Location
!Founded
!Founded
!Joined
!First<br>Football<br>Year
!Type
!Type
!Enrollment
!Enrollment
!Joined
!Nickname
!Nickname
!class="unsortable"|Colors
!Primary<br>Conference<br>while<br>joining<br>the PFL
!Primary<br />conference<br />when<br />joining<br />the PFL
!Current<br>Primary<br>Conference
!Current<br />primary<br />conference
|-
|-
|[[Butler University]]
| '''[[Butler University]]'''
|[[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]]
| [[Indianapolis|Indianapolis, Indiana]]
|1855
| 1855
| 1991
|1887
|Private
| rowspan="5"|Private
|3,897
| 5,554
| [[Butler Bulldogs football|Bulldogs]]
|1991
|[[Butler Bulldogs|Bulldogs]]
| {{college color boxes|Butler Bulldogs}}
|[[Horizon League|Horizon]]
| [[Horizon League|Horizon]]
|[[Big East Conference|Big East]]
| [[Big East Conference|Big East]]
|-
|-
| '''[[Davidson College]]'''
|[[Campbell University]]
|{{USCity|Buies Creek|North Carolina}}
| [[Davidson, North Carolina]]
| 1837
|1887
| 2001
|1925 (2008)
| 1,950
|Private
| [[Davidson Wildcats football|Wildcats]]
|9,471
| {{college color boxes|Davidson Wildcats}}
|2008
| [[Southern Conference|SoCon]]
|[[Campbell Fighting Camels|Fighting Camels]]
|[[Atlantic Sun Conference|Atlantic Sun (A-Sun)]]
| rowspan="2"|[[Atlantic 10 Conference|Atlantic 10]]
|[[Big South Conference|Big South]]
|-
|-
| {{sort|Dayton|'''[[University of Dayton]]'''}}
|[[Davidson College]]
| [[Dayton, Ohio]]
|{{USCity|Davidson|North Carolina}}
| 1850
|1837
| rowspan="2"|1991
|1897
| 8,353
|Private
| [[Dayton Flyers football|Flyers]]
|1,700
| {{college color boxes|Dayton Flyers}}
|2001
|[[Davidson Wildcats|Wildcats]]
| [[Horizon League|Horizon]]
|[[Southern Conference|SoCon]]
|[[Atlantic 10 Conference|A-10]]
|-
|-
| '''[[Drake University]]'''
|{{sort|Dayton|[[University of Dayton]]}}
| [[Des Moines, Iowa]]
|{{USCity|Dayton|Ohio}}
| 1881
|1850
| 3,164
|1905
| [[Drake Bulldogs football|Bulldogs]]
|Private
| {{college color boxes|Drake Bulldogs}}
|7,426
| colspan="2"|[[Missouri Valley Conference|Missouri Valley]]
|1991
|[[Dayton Flyers|Flyers]]
|[[Horizon League|Horizon]]
|[[Atlantic 10 Conference|Atlantic 10 (A-10)]]
|-
|-
|[[Drake University]]
| '''[[Marist College]]'''
| [[Poughkeepsie (town), New York|Poughkeepsie, New York]]
|{{USCity|Des Moines|Iowa}}
| 1929
|1881
| 2009
|1883
| 6,200
|Private
| [[Marist Red Foxes football|Red Foxes]]
|3,164
| {{college color boxes|Marist Red Foxes}}
|1991
| colspan="2"|[[Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference|MAAC]]
|[[Drake Bulldogs|Bulldogs]]
|colspan="2"|[[Missouri Valley Conference|Missouri Valley]]
|-
|-
|[[Jacksonville University]]
| '''[[Morehead State University]]'''
| [[Morehead, Kentucky]]
|{{USCity|Jacksonville|Florida}}
| 1922
|1934
| 2001
|1934 (1998)
| Public
|Private
|7,426
| 8,218
| [[Morehead State Eagles football|Eagles]]
|2001
| {{college color boxes|Morehead State Eagles}}
|[[Jacksonville Dolphins|Dolphins]]
|colspan="2"|[[Atlantic Sun Conference|Atlantic Sun (A-Sun)]]
| colspan="2"|[[Ohio Valley Conference|OVC]]
|-
|-
|[[Marist College]]
| '''[[Presbyterian College]]'''
| [[Clinton, South Carolina]]
|[[Poughkeepsie (town), New York|Poughkeepsie]], [[New York]]
| 1880
|1929
| rowspan="2"|2021
|1978
|Private
| rowspan="5"|Private
|4,200
| 1,172
| [[Presbyterian Blue Hose football|Blue Hose]]
|2009
| {{college color boxes|Presbyterian Blue Hose}}
|[[Marist Red Foxes|Red Foxes]]
|colspan="2"|[[Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference|MAAC]]
| colspan="2"|[[Big South Conference|Big South]]
|-
|-
| {{sort|Saint Thomas|'''[[University of St. Thomas (Minnesota)|University of St. Thomas]]'''}}
|[[Morehead State University]]
| [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul, Minnesota]]
|{{USCity|Morehead|Kentucky}}
| 1885
|1922
| 9,878
|1927
| [[St. Thomas (Minnesota) Tommies football|Tommies]]
|Public
| {{college color boxes|St. Thomas (Minnesota) Tommies}}
|11,358
| colspan="2"|[[Summit League|Summit]]
|2001
|[[Morehead State Eagles|Eagles]]
|colspan="2"|[[Ohio Valley Conference|OVC]]
|-
|-
|{{sort|San Diego|[[University of San Diego]]}}
| {{sort|San Diego|'''[[University of San Diego]]'''}}
|[[San Diego]], [[California]]
| [[San Diego|San Diego, California]]
|1949
| 1949
| 1992
|1956
| 4,904
|Private
| [[San Diego Toreros football|Toreros]]
|4,904
| {{college color boxes|San Diego Toreros}}
|1992
| colspan="2"|[[West Coast Conference|WCC]]
|[[San Diego Toreros|Toreros]]
|colspan="2"|[[West Coast Conference|WCC]]
|-
|-
|[[Stetson University]]
| '''[[Stetson University]]'''
|{{USCity|DeLand|Florida}}
| [[DeLand, Florida]]
|1883
| 1883
|1901 (2013)
| 2013
| 4,330
|Private
| [[Stetson Hatters football|Hatters]]
|2,200
| {{college color boxes|Stetson Hatters}}
|2013
| colspan="2"|[[ASUN Conference|ASUN]]
|[[Stetson Hatters|Hatters]]
|colspan="2"|[[Atlantic Sun Conference|Atlantic Sun (A-Sun)]]
|-
|-
|[[Valparaiso University]]
| '''[[Valparaiso University]]'''
|{{USCity|Valparaiso|Indiana}}
| [[Valparaiso, Indiana]]
|1859
| 1859
| 1991
|1919
| 2,917
|Private
| [[Valparaiso Beacons football|Beacons]]
|2,917
| {{college color boxes|Valparaiso Crusaders}}
|1991
| [[Summit League|Summit]]
|[[Valparaiso Crusaders|Crusaders]]
| [[Missouri Valley Conference|Missouri Valley]]
|[[The Summit League|Summit]]
|[[Horizon League|Horizon]]
|}
|}


;Notes
; Note
{{notelist|group=curr}}


===Former members===
===Former members===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!Institution
!Institution
!Location
!Location
!Founded
!Founded
!First<br>Football<br>Year
!Type
!Enrollment
!Joined
!Joined
!Left
!Left
!Type
!Nickname
!Nickname
!class="unsortable"|Colors
!Primary<br>Conference<br>while<br>joining<br>the PFL
!Primary<br />conference<br />when<br />joining<br />the PFL
!Current<br>Primary<br>Conference
!Current<br />primary<br />conference
|-
|-
| '''[[Austin Peay State University]]'''
|[[University of Evansville]]<sup>*</sup>
| [[Clarksville, Tennessee]]
|{{USCity|Evansville|Indiana}}
| 1927
|1854
| 2001
|1898
| 2006
|Private
| Public
|3,050
| [[Austin Peay Governors football|Governors]]
|1991-92
| {{college color boxes|Austin Peay Governors}}
|1997-98
| colspan="1"|[[Ohio Valley Conference|OVC]]
|[[Evansville Purple Aces|Purple Aces]]
|colspan="2"|[[Missouri Valley Conference|Missouri Valley]]
| colspan="2"|[[ASUN Conference|ASUN]]
|-
|-
|[[Austin Peay State University]]
| '''[[Campbell University]]'''
| [[Buies Creek, North Carolina]]
|{{USCity|Clarksville|Tennessee}}
| 1887
|1927
| 2008
|1970
| 2018
|Public
| rowspan="4"|Private
|8,650
| [[Campbell Fighting Camels football|Fighting Camels]]
|2001-02
| {{college color boxes|Campbell Fighting Camels}}
|2005-06
| [[ASUN Conference|ASUN]]
|[[Austin Peay State Governors|Governors]]
| [[Colonial Athletic Association|CAA]]
|colspan="2"|[[Ohio Valley Conference|OVC]]
|-
|-
|[[Mercer University]]
| {{sort|Evansville|'''[[University of Evansville]]'''}}
| [[Evansville, Indiana]]
|{{USCity|Macon|Georgia}}
| 1854
|1833
| 1991
|1892 (2013)
| 1998{{efn|group=former|Evansville dropped football following the 1997–98 school year.}}
|Private
| [[Evansville Purple Aces|Purple Aces]]
|8,300
| {{college color boxes|Evansville Purple Aces}}
|2013-14
| colspan="2"|[[Missouri Valley Conference|Missouri Valley]]
|2013-14
|-
|[[Mercer Bears|Bears]]
| '''[[Jacksonville University]]'''
|[[Atlantic Sun Conference|Atlantic Sun (A-Sun)]]
| [[Jacksonville, Florida]]
|[[Southern Conference|Southern]]
| 1934
| 2001
| 2020{{efn|group=former|Jacksonville dropped football following the 2019–20 school year.}}
| [[Jacksonville Dolphins football|Dolphins]]
| {{college color boxes|Jacksonville Dolphins}}
| colspan="2"|[[ASUN Conference|ASUN]]
|-
| '''[[Mercer University]]'''
| [[Macon, Georgia]]
| 1833
| 2013
| 2014
| [[Mercer Bears football|Bears]]
| {{college color boxes|Mercer Bears}}
| [[ASUN Conference|ASUN]]
| [[Southern Conference|SoCon]]
|}
|}

; Note
;Notes
* Evansville dropped football following the 1997–98 season.
{{notelist|group=former}}


===Membership timeline===
===Membership timeline===
Line 251: Line 256:
ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20
ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20


Period = from:1991 till:2017
Period = from:1991 till:2031


TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal
Line 272: Line 277:
width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s
width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s


bar:1 color:AssocF from:1991 till:end text:[[Butler University|Butler]] (1991&ndash;present)
bar:1 color:Full from:1991 till:end text:[[Butler University|Butler]] (1991–present)


bar:2 color:AssocF from:1991 till:end text:[[University of Dayton|Dayton]] (1991&ndash;present)
bar:2 color:Full from:1991 till:end text:[[University of Dayton|Dayton]] (1991–present)


bar:3 color:AssocF from:1991 till:end text:[[Drake University|Drake]] (1991&ndash;present)
bar:3 color:Full from:1991 till:end text:[[Drake University|Drake]] (1991–present)


bar:4 color:AssocF from:1991 till:1998 text:[[University of Evansville|Evansville]] (1991&ndash;1997)
bar:4 color:Full from:1991 till:1998 text:[[University of Evansville|Evansville]] (1991–1997)


bar:5 color:AssocF from:1991 till:end text:[[Valparaiso University|Valparaiso]] (1991&ndash;present)
bar:5 color:Full from:1991 till:end text:[[Valparaiso University|Valparaiso]] (1991–present)


bar:6 color:AssocF from:1992 till:end text:[[University of San Diego|San Diego]] (1992&ndash;present)
bar:6 color:OtherC1 from:1991 till:1992 text:[[NCAA Division III independent schools|Ind.]]
bar:6 color:Full from:1992 till:end text:[[University of San Diego|San Diego]] (1992–present)


bar:7 color:AssocF from:2001 till:2006 text:[[Austin Peay State University|Austin Peay]] (2001&ndash;2005)
bar:7 color:OtherC1 from:1991 till:1997 text:[[Ohio Valley Conference|OVC]]
bar:7 color:OtherC2 from:1997 till:2001 text:[[NCAA Division I FCS independent schools|Independent]]
bar:7 color:Full from:2001 till:2006 text:[[Austin Peay State University|Austin Peay]] (2001–2005)
bar:7 color:OtherC1 from:2006 till:2007 text:[[NCAA Division I FCS independent schools|Ind.]]
bar:7 color:OtherC2 from:2007 till:2022 text:[[Ohio Valley Conference|OVC]]
bar:7 shift:(-5) color:OtherC1 from:2022 till:2023 text:[[ASUN Conference|ASUN]]
bar:7 color:OtherC2 from:2023 till:end text:[[United Athletic Conference|UAC]]


bar:8 color:AssocF from:2001 till:end text:[[Davidson College|Davidson]] (2001&ndash;present)
bar:8 color:OtherC1 from:1991 till:1993 text:[[NCAA Division III independent schools|DIII Indep.]]
bar:8 color:OtherC1 from:1993 till:2001 text:[[NCAA Division I FCS independent schools|I-AA Independent]]
bar:8 color:Full from:2001 till:end text:[[Davidson College|Davidson]] (2001–present)


bar:9 color:AssocF from:2001 till:end text:[[Jacksonville University|Jacksonville]] (2001&ndash;present)
bar:9 color:OtherC1 from:1998 till:2001 text:[[NCAA Division I FCS independent schools|Independent]]
bar:9 color:Full from:2001 till:2020 text:[[Jacksonville University|Jacksonville]] (2001–2019)


bar:10 color:AssocF from:2001 till:end text:[[Morehead State University|Morehead State]] (2001&ndash;present)
bar:10 color:OtherC1 from:1991 till:1996 text:[[Ohio Valley Conference|OVC]]
bar:10 color:OtherC2 from:1996 till:2001 text:[[NCAA Division I FCS independent schools|Independent]]
bar:10 color:Full from:2001 till:end text:[[Morehead State University|Morehead State]] (2001–present)


bar:11 color:AssocF from:2008 till:end text:[[Campbell University|Campbell]] (2008&ndash;present)
bar:11 color:Full from:2008 till:2018 text:[[Campbell University|Campbell]] (2008–2017)
bar:11 color:OtherC1 from:2018 till:2023 text:[[Big South Conference|Big South]]
bar:11 color:OtherC2 from:2023 till:end text:[[Coastal Athletic Association Football Conference|CAA Football]]


bar:12 color:AssocF from:2009 till:end text:[[Marist College|Marist]] (2009&ndash;present)
bar:12 color:OtherC1 from:1991 till:1992 text:[[Atlantic Collegiate Football Conference|ACFC]]
bar:12 shift:(10) color:OtherC2 from:1992 till:1993 text:[[Liberty Football Conference|LFC]]
bar:12 color:OtherC1 from:1993 till:1994 text:[[NCAA Division I FCS independent schools|Ind.]]
bar:12 color:OtherC2 from:1994 till:2008 text:[[Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference|MAAC]]
bar:12 color:OtherC1 from:2008 till:2009 text:[[NCAA Division I FCS independent schools|Ind.]]
bar:12 color:Full from:2009 till:end text:[[Marist College|Marist]] (2009–present)


bar:13 color:AssocF from:2013 till:2014 text:[[Mercer University|Mercer]] (2013)
bar:13 color:Full from:2013 till:2014 text:[[Mercer University|Mercer]] (2013)
bar:13 shift:(50) color:OtherC1 from:2014 till:end text:[[Southern Conference|SoCon]]


bar:14 color:AssocF from:2013 till:end text:[[Stetson University|Stetson]] (2013&ndash;present)
bar:14 color:Full from:2013 till:end text:[[Stetson University|Stetson]] (2013–present)

bar:15 color:OtherC1 from:1991 till:2007 text:[[South Atlantic Conference|SAC]]
bar:15 color:OtherC2 from:2007 till:2008 text:[[NCAA Division I FCS independent schools|Ind.]]
bar:15 color:OtherC1 from:2008 till:2020 text:[[Big South Conference|Big South]]
bar:15 color:OtherC2 from:2020 till:2021 text:[[NCAA Division I FCS independent schools|Ind.]]
bar:15 color:Full from:2021 till:end text:[[Presbyterian College|Presbyterian]] (2021–present)

bar:16 color:OtherC1 from:1991 till:2021 text:[[Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference|MIAC]]
bar:16 color:Full from:2021 till:end text:[[University of St. Thomas (Minnesota)|St. Thomas]] (2021–present)


ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:2 start:1991
ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:2 start:1991
Line 306: Line 340:
textcolor:black
textcolor:black
pos:(0,30) tabs:(400-center)
pos:(0,30) tabs:(400-center)
text:^"Pioneer Football League Membership History"
text:^"Pioneer Football League membership history"


#> If the chart uses more than one bar color, add a legend by selecting the appropriate fields from the following six options (use only the colors that are used in the graphic.) Leave a blank line after the end of the timeline, then add a line with the selected values from the list, separated by a space. {{Font color||{{RGB|190|186|218}}|Full members}} {{Font color||{{RGB|141|211|199}}|Full members (non-football)}} {{Font color||{{RGB|251|128|114}}|Assoc. members (football only)}} {{Font color||{{RGB|128|177|211}}|Assoc. member (list sports)}} {{Font color||{{RGB|255|255|179}}|Other Conference}} {{Font color||{{RGB|253|180|98}}|Other Conference}} <# </timeline>
#> If the chart uses more than one bar color, add a legend by selecting the appropriate fields from the following six options (use only the colors that are used in the graphic.) Leave a blank line after the end of the timeline, then add a line with the selected values from the list, separated by a space. {{Font color||{{RGB|190|186|218}}|Full members}} {{Font color||{{RGB|141|211|199}}|Full members (non-football)}} {{Font color||{{RGB|251|128|114}}|Assoc. members (football only)}} {{Font color||{{RGB|128|177|211}}|Assoc. member (list sports)}} {{Font color||{{RGB|255|255|179}}|Other Conference}} {{Font color||{{RGB|253|180|98}}|Other Conference}} <# </timeline>

{{Font color||{{RGB|190|186|218}}|Full members&nbsp;}} {{Font color||{{RGB|255|255|179}}|Other&nbsp;Conference&nbsp;}} {{Font color||{{RGB|253|180|98}}|Other&nbsp;Conference&nbsp;}}


==Rivalries==
==Rivalries==
Two in-state rivalries currently exist in the PFL.
One in-state rivalry currently exists in the PFL. A second had existed before Jacksonville discontinued its football program.


Butler and Valparaiso first played in 1927, and had nine meetings prior to 1951. That year, the two teams began playing every year, and in 2006 began playing for the Hoosier Helmet Trophy. Butler currently leads 47-24. The two schools had an all-sports rivalry as well when both were in the Horizon League together from 2007-2012.
Butler and Valparaiso first played in 1927, and had nine meetings prior to 1951. That year, the two teams began playing every year, and in 2006 began playing for the Hoosier Helmet Trophy. Butler currently leads 47–24. The two schools had an all-sports rivalry as well when both were in the Horizon League together from 2007 to 2012.


Jacksonville and Stetson had a football rivalry that ran from 2013, when Stetson began PFL play, to 2019, after which Jacksonville dropped football. The schools have been conference rivals in other sports since 1998, when Jacksonville joined the ASUN Conference, home to Stetson since 1985.
Campbell and Davidson began their rivalry in 2008 when the Fighting Camels joined the PFL. Davidson leads 4-1.


Butler and Dayton also have a rivalry based on proximity to each other. The teams have met every year since 1977 with the exception of 1991 and 1992. Dayton leads 26–11–1.
Jacksonville and Stetson will begin their football rivalry in 2013 when Stetson begins PFL play, the schools are already rivals in other sports as both are members of the Atlantic Sun Conference.

Butler and Dayton also have a rivalry based on proximity to each other. The teams have met every year since 1977 with the exception of 1991 and 1992. Dayton leads 26-11-1.


== Conference championships ==
== Conference championships ==
{{Location map+ | USA | width=550 | caption=Locations of Pioneer Football League schools<!--; Green=Future Member--> | relief=no | places=

{{Location map~ | USA | label=Butler| position=left | mark=Blue pog.svg | link=Butler Bulldogs football | lat=39.839444 | long=-86.171389}}
[[File:PioneerFootballLocations.png|right|thumb|450px|Locations of current Pioneer Football League member institutions.]]
{{Location map~ | USA | label=Davidson | position=right | mark=Blue pog.svg | link=Davidson Wildcats football | lat=35.49999 | long=-80.845296}}
{{Location map~ | USA | label=Dayton | position=right | mark=Blue pog.svg | link=Dayton Flyers football | lat=39.740415 | long=-84.179213}}
{{Location map~ | USA | label=Drake | position=left | mark=Blue pog.svg | link=Drake Bulldogs football | lat=41.601111 | long=-93.652222}}
{{Location map~ | USA | label=Marist | position=right | mark=Blue pog.svg | link=Marist Red Foxes football | lat=41.725974 | long=-73.93354}}
{{Location map~ | USA | label=Morehead State | position=left | mark=Blue pog.svg | link=Morehead State Eagles football | lat=38.189 | long=-83.431}}
{{Location map~ | USA | label=Presbyterian | position=bottom | mark=Blue pog.svg | link=Presbyterian Blue Hose football | lat=34.47 | long=-81.875}}
{{Location map~ | USA | label=St. Thomas | position=bottom | mark=Blue pog.svg | link=St. Thomas (Minnesota) Tommies | lat=44.940256 | long=-93.193425}}
{{Location map~ | USA | label=San Diego | position=right | mark=Blue pog.svg | link=San Diego Toreros football | lat=32.771111 | long=-117.1875}}
{{Location map~ | USA | label=Stetson | position=left | mark=Blue pog.svg | link=Stetson Hatters football | lat=29.034972 | long= -81.302640}}
{{Location map~ | USA | label=Valparaiso | position=top | mark=Blue pog.svg | link=Valparaiso Crusaders football | lat=41.4639 | long=-87.0439}}
}}


=== PFL champions===
=== PFL champions===
Line 334: Line 379:
|1993||Dayton||5–0–0
|1993||Dayton||5–0–0
|-
|-
|rowspan=2|1994||Butler||4–1–0
|1994||Butler<br>Dayton||4–1–0
|-
|Dayton||4–1–0
|-
|-
|1995||Drake||5–0–0
|1995||Drake||5–0–0
Line 348: Line 391:
|1999||Dayton||4–0
|1999||Dayton||4–0
|-
|-
|2000
|rowspan=3|2000||Dayton||3–1
|Dayton<br>Drake<br>Valparaiso
|-
|Drake||3–1
|3–1
|-
|Valparaiso||3–1
|-
|-
|2001||Dayton||Championship Game
|2001||Dayton||Championship Game
Line 366: Line 407:
|2006||San Diego||7–0
|2006||San Diego||7–0
|-
|-
|2007
|rowspan=2|2007||Dayton||6–1
|Dayton<br>San Diego
|-
|San Diego||6–1
|6–1
|-
|-
|2008||Jacksonville||7–1
|2008||Jacksonville||7–1
|-
|-
|2009
|rowspan=2|2009||Butler||7–1
|Butler<br>Dayton
|7–1
|-
|-
|2010
|Dayton||7–1
|Jacksonville<br>Dayton
|8–0
|-
|-
|2011
|rowspan=2|2010||Jacksonville||8–0
|San Diego<br>Drake
|7–1
|-
|-
|2012
|Dayton||8–0
|Butler<br>Drake<br>San Diego
|7–1
|-
|-
|2013
|rowspan=2|2011||San Diego||7–1
|Butler<br>Marist
|7–1
|-
|-
||2014||San Diego||7–1<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.judolphins.com/information/compliance-update/index|title=Football Program Compliance Update|date=November 14, 2014|publisher=Jacksonville University|access-date=November 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119181224/http://www.judolphins.com/information/compliance-update/index|archive-date=November 19, 2014}}</ref>
|Drake||7–1
|-
|-
|2015
|rowspan=3|2012||Butler||7–1
|Dayton<br>San Diego
|7–1
|-
|-
|2016||San Diego||8–0
|Drake||7–1
|-
|-
|2017
|San Diego||7–1
|San Diego
|8–0
|-
|-
|2018
|rowspan=2|2013||Butler||7–1
|San Diego
|8–0
|-
|-
| 2019
|Marist||7–1
| San Diego
| 8–0
|-
|-
|2020/21*
|rowspan=1|2014||San Diego||7–1<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.judolphins.com/information/compliance-update/index|title=Football Program Compliance Update|date=November 14, 2014|publisher=Jacksonville University|accessdate=November 19, 2014|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20141119181224/http://www.judolphins.com/information/compliance-update/index|archivedate=November 19, 2014}}</ref>
|Davidson
|4–1
|-
|-
| 2021
| Davidson<br>San Diego
| 7–1
|-
| 2022
| St. Thomas
| 8-0
|-
|2023
|Drake
| 8-0
|}
|}
(*) Due to [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19]], the Pioneer Football League suspended the fall 2020 football season. [[Dayton Flyers football|Dayton]] and [[Marist Red Foxes football|Marist]] opted out of the spring season. [[Presbyterian Blue Hose football|Presbyterian]] played a full PFL schedule, but was ineligible for the conference title, and its games were not counted in PFL standings.


==League titles by school==
==League titles by school==
Line 406: Line 479:
|-
|-
| Dayton
| Dayton
| <center>11
| {{center|12}}
| 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001<sup>*</sup>, 2002<sup>*</sup>, 2007, 2009, 2010
| 1993, ''1994'', 1996, 1997, 1999, ''2000'', 2001<sup>*</sup>, 2002<sup>*</sup>, ''2007'', ''2009'', ''2010'', ''2015''
|-
| Drake
| <center>6
| 1995, 1998, 2000, 2004<sup>*</sup>, 2011, 2012
|-
|-
| San Diego
| San Diego
| <center>6
| {{center|12}}
| 2005<sup>*</sup>, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2014
| 2005<sup>*</sup>, 2006, ''2007'', ''2011'', ''2012'', 2014, ''2015'', 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, ''2021''
|-
| Drake
| {{center|7}}
| 1995, 1998, ''2000'', 2004<sup>*</sup>, ''2011'', ''2012'', 2023
|-
|-
| Butler
| Butler
| <center>4
| {{center|4}}
| 1994, 2009, 2012, 2013
| 1994, ''2009'', ''2012'', ''2013''
|-
|-
| Jacksonville
| Jacksonville
| <center>2
| {{center|2}}
| 2008, 2010
| 2008, ''2010''
|-
|-
| Valparaiso
| Valparaiso
| <center>2
| {{center|2}}
| 2000, 2003<sup>*</sup>
| ''2000'', 2003<sup>*</sup>
|-
| Davidson
| {{center|2}}
| ''2020''×, ''2021''
|-
|-
| Marist
| Marist
| <center>1
| {{center|1}}
| 2013
| ''2013''
|-
| St. Thomas
| {{center|1}}
| 2022
|-
|-
| Campbell
| Campbell
| <center>0
| {{center|0}}
| N/A
| –
|-
| Davidson
| <center>0
| N/A
|-
|-
| Morehead State
| Morehead State
| <center>0
| {{center|0}}
| N/A
| –
|-
|-
| Evansville
| Evansville
| <center>0
| {{center|0}}
| N/A
| –
|-
|-
| Austin Peay
| Austin Peay
| <center>0
| {{center|0}}
| N/A
| –
|-
|-
| Stetson
| {{center|0}}
| –
|-
| Presbyterian
| {{center|0}}
| –
|}
|}


<sup>*</sup> - Won at PFL Championship Game
<sup>*</sup> – Won in PFL Championship Game<br/>
× – played in spring 2021<br/>
''Italics'' – Co-champions


=== PFL Championship Game ===
==PFL Championship Game==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
!Season
!Season
!North Division
!Season Champion
!Record
!Date
!Game Champion
!Score
!Score
!South Division
!Runner-Up
!Location
!Location
|-
|-
|2001||Dayton||4–0||Nov. 17, 2001||Dayton||46–14||Jacksonville||Dayton, OH
|2001||'''Dayton'''||46–14||Jacksonville||Dayton, Ohio
|-
|-
|2002||Dayton||4–0||Nov. 23, 2002||Dayton||28–0||Morehead State||Morehead, KY
|2002||'''Dayton'''||28–0||Morehead State||Morehead, Kentucky
|-
|-
|2003||Valparaiso||3–1||Nov. 22, 2003||Valparaiso||54–42||Morehead State||Valparaiso, IN
|2003||'''Valparaiso'''||54–42||Morehead State||Valparaiso, Indiana
|-
|-
|2004||Drake||4–0||Nov. 20, 2004||Drake||20–17||Morehead State||Morehead, KY
|2004||'''Drake'''||20–17||Morehead State||Morehead, Kentucky
|-
|-
|2005||San Diego||4–0||Nov. 19, 2005||San Diego||47–40||Morehead State||San Diego, CA
|2005||'''San Diego'''||47–40||Morehead State||San Diego, California
|}
|}


== Postseason games==
== Postseason games==
The Pioneer Football League has had alliances with the [[Gridiron Classic (2006–2009)|Gridiron Classic]] and the Sports Network Cup. In addition, league members are allowed to accept at-large invitations to other college bowl games and teams are eligible to compete in the [[NCAA Division I Football Championship|FCS playoffs]].


The Pioneer Football League has had alliances with the Gridiron Classic and the Sports Network Cup. In addition, league members are allowed to accept at-large invitations to other college bowl games and teams are eligible to compete in the [[NCAA Division I Football Championship|FCS playoffs]], and holds an automatic qualifier.
Through the 2012 season, the NCAA did not offer the league an automatic invite to the FCS playoffs and never offered an at-large bid to any of its teams, effectively barring the league from the tournament. Starting in 2013, the Pioneer League received an automatic bid to compete in the Division I Football Championship as the playoffs expanded from 20 teams to 24. The PFL won its first playoff game in 2016, as San Diego advanced past the first round of the playoffs.

Starting in 2013, the Pioneer League joined ten other FCS conferences (Big Sky, Southern, Southland, MEAC, NEC, CAA, Big South, MVFC, OVC, Patriot League) that receive an automatic bid to compete in the Division I Football Championship as the playoffs expand from twenty teams to 24. The PFL is 0-2 in the playoffs to date. In 2013 Butler was defeated in the first round 31-0 by Tennessee State. While in 2014 San Diego was routed by Montana 52-14.


The PFL was a participant in the [[NCAA Division I FCS Consensus Mid-Major Football National Championship]], along with the [[Northeast Conference]] and [[Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference]], two other conferences without automatic playoff bids. The Consensus championship has since been discontinued; the NEC first earned an automatic postseason bid in 2010, while the MAAC no longer sponsors football.
The PFL was a participant in the [[NCAA Division I FCS Consensus Mid-Major Football National Championship]], along with the [[Northeast Conference]] and [[Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference]], two other conferences without automatic playoff bids. The Consensus championship has since been discontinued; the NEC first earned an automatic postseason bid in 2010, while the MAAC no longer sponsors football.


===Members pre-PFL postseason results===
===Members pre-PFL postseason results===

Below are postseason accomplishments by past and current members prior to the formation of the Pioneer Football League.
Below are postseason accomplishments by past and current members prior to the formation of the Pioneer Football League.


{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Season
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Season
!style="background: #e3e3e3;" colspan=2|Champion
!style="background: #e3e3e3;" colspan=2|Champion
Line 542: Line 624:
|Drake || 20
|Drake || 20
| [[Sun Bowl]]
| [[Sun Bowl]]
|-
|1960
|[[Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders football|Middle Tennessee State]] || 21
|Presbyterian || 12
| [[Tangerine Bowl (1947–1982)|Tangerine Bowl]]
|-
|-
|1969
|1969
Line 551: Line 638:
|[[Toledo Rockets football|Toledo]] || 56
|[[Toledo Rockets football|Toledo]] || 56
|Davidson || 33
|Davidson || 33
| [[Capital One Bowl|Tangerine Bowl]]
| [[Tangerine Bowl (1947–82)|Tangerine Bowl]]
|-
|-
|1972
|1972
|[[Tennessee State Tigers football|Tennessee State]] || 29
|[[Tennessee State Tigers football|Tennessee State]] || 29
|Drake || 7
|Drake || 7
| [[Pioneer Bowl]]
| [[Pioneer Bowl (1971–1982)|Pioneer Bowl]]
|-
|-
|1973
|1973
Line 610: Line 697:


=== PFL Sports Network Cup results ===
=== PFL Sports Network Cup results ===
*See [[Sports Network Cup]]
*See [[NCAA Division I FCS Consensus Mid-Major Football National Championship|Sports Network Cup]]


=== PFL Gridiron Classic results===
=== PFL Gridiron Classic results===
From 2006 through 2009, the PFL and Northeast Conference (NEC) staged the Gridiron Classic, an exempted postseason football game that matched the champions of the two conferences which were technically members of Division I FCS, but which were not the recipients of automatic invitations to the football championship playoff at the time.

On May 16, 2006, the Pioneer Football League (PFL) and Northeast Conference (NEC) announced a four-year agreement to meet in the Gridiron Classic, an exempted postseason football game that match the champions of the two FCS football conferences.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Season
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Season
!style="background: #e3e3e3;" colspan=2|Champion
!style="background: #e3e3e3;" colspan=2|Champion
Line 623: Line 710:
|2006
|2006
|San Diego || 27
|San Diego || 27
|[[Monmouth Hawks|Monmouth]] || 7
|[[Monmouth Hawks football|Monmouth]] || 7
|-
|-
|2007
|2007
|Dayton || 42
|Dayton || 42
|[[Albany Great Danes|Albany]]|| 21
|[[Albany Great Danes football|Albany]] || 21
|-
|-
|2008
|2008
|[[Albany Great Danes|Albany]] || 28
|[[Albany Great Danes football|Albany]] || 28
|Jacksonville || 0
|Jacksonville || 0
|-
|-
|2009
|2009
|Butler || 28
|Butler || 28
|[[Central Connecticut State Blue Devils|Central Connecticut State]] || 23
|[[Central Connecticut Blue Devils football|Central Connecticut]] || 23
|-
|}
|}


=== NCAA Division I Football Championship results===
==Historical standings==
Since 2013, the PFL champion has received an invite to the [[NCAA Division I Football Championship|FCS playoffs]]; previously, PFL teams had to receive an at-large bid, which no team ever received.
{{Col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 1993 Pioneer Football League
|-
! !! colspan="3" | Conf !! colspan="5" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! T !! W !! L !! T !!PF !! PA
|-
| [[1993 Dayton Flyers football team|Dayton]] || 5 || 0 || 0 || 9 || 1 || 0 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1993 Drake Bulldogs football team|Drake]] || 3 || 2 || 0 || 8 || 2 || 0 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1993 Butler Bulldogs football team|Butler]] || 3 || 2 || 0 || 4 || 6 || 0 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1993 Evansville Purple Aces football team|Evansville]] || 2 || 3 || 0 || 6 || 4 || 0 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1993 San Diego Toreros football team|San Diego]] || 1 || 4 || 0 || 5 || 5 || 0 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1993 Valparaiso Crusaders football team|Valparaiso]] || 1 || 4 || 0 || 5 || 5 || 0 || ??? || ???
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 1994 Pioneer Football League
|-
! !! colspan="3" | Conf !! colspan="5" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! T !! W !! L !! T !!PF !! PA
|-
| [[1994 Dayton Flyers football team|Dayton]] || 4 || 1 || 0 || 8 || 2 || 0 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1994 Butler Bulldogs football team|Butler]] || 4 || 1 || 0 || 7 || 3 || 0 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1994 Drake Bulldogs football team|Drake]] || 3 || 2 || 0 || 7 || 3 || 0 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1994 San Diego Toreros football team|San Diego]] || 2 || 3 || 0 || 6 || 4 || 0 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1994 Valparaiso Crusaders football team|Valparaiso]] || 2 || 3 || 0 || 7 || 3 || 0 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1994 Evansville Purple Aces football team|Evansville]] || 0 || 5 || 0 || 4 || 6 || 0 || ??? || ???
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 1995 Pioneer Football League
|-
! !! colspan="3" | Conf !! colspan="5" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! T !! W !! L !! T !!PF !! PA
|-
| [[1995 Drake Bulldogs football team|Drake]] || 5 || 0 || 0 || 8 || 1 || 1 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1995 Dayton Flyers football team|Dayton]] || 4 || 1 || 0 || 9 || 2 || 0 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1995 San Diego Toreros football team|San Diego]] || 3 || 2 || 0 || 5 || 5 || 0 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1995 Evansville Purple Aces football team|Evansville]] || 1 || 4 || 0 || 5 || 5 || 0 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1995 Valparaiso Crusaders football team|Valparaiso]] || 1 || 4 || 0 || 5 || 5 || 0 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1995 Butler Bulldogs football team|Butler]] || 1 || 4 || 0 || 2 || 8 || 0 || ??? || ???
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 1996 Pioneer Football League
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Conf !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| [[1996 Dayton Flyers football team|Dayton]] || 5 || 0 || 11 || 0 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1996 Drake Bulldogs football team|Drake]] || 4 || 1 || 8 || 3 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1996 Evansville Purple Aces football team|Evansville]] || 2 || 3 || 5 || 5 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1996 Butler Bulldogs football team|Butler]] || 2 || 3 || 3 || 7 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1996 San Diego Toreros football team|San Diego]] || 1 || 4 || 4 || 6 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1996 Valparaiso Crusaders football team|Valparaiso]] || 1 || 4 || 4 || 6 || ??? || ???
|}
{{Col-end}}


{| class="wikitable"
{{Col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 1997 Pioneer Football League
|-
|-
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Season
! !! colspan="2" | Conf !! colspan="4" | Overall
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|PFL Champion
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Round
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Opponent(s)
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Result(s)
|-
|-
|[[2013 NCAA Division I FCS football season#NCAA Division I playoff bracket|2013]]
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|[[2013 Butler Bulldogs football team|Butler]]
|First Round
|[[2013 Tennessee State Tigers football team|Tennessee State]]
| L, 0–31
|-
|-
|[[2014 NCAA Division I FCS football season#NCAA Division I playoff bracket|2014]]
| [[1997 Dayton Flyers football team|Dayton]] || 5 || 0 || 9 || 1 || ??? || ???
|[[2014 San Diego Toreros football team|San Diego]]
|First Round
|[[2014 Montana Grizzlies football team|Montana]]
| L, 14–52
|-
|-
|[[2015 NCAA Division I FCS football season#NCAA Division I playoff bracket|2015]]
| [[1997 San Diego Toreros football team|San Diego]] || 4 || 1 || 8 || 3 || ??? || ???
|[[2015 Dayton Flyers football team|Dayton]]
|First Round
|[[2015 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team|Western Illinois]]
| L, 7–24
|-
|-
|[[2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season#NCAA Division I playoff bracket|2016]]
| [[1997 Drake Bulldogs football team|Drake]] || 2 || 3 || 8 || 3 || ??? || ???
|[[2016 San Diego Toreros football team|San Diego]]
|First Round<br />Second Round
|[[2016 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|Cal Poly]]<br />[[2016 North Dakota State Bison football team|North Dakota State]]
| W, 35–21<br />L, 7–45
|-
|-
|[[2017 NCAA Division I FCS football season#NCAA Division I playoff bracket|2017]]
| [[1997 Butler Bulldogs football team|Butler]] || 2 || 3 || 6 || 4 || ??? || ???
|[[2017 San Diego Toreros football team|San Diego]]
|First Round<br />Second Round
|[[2017 Northern Arizona Lumberjacks football team|Northern Arizona]]<br />[[2017 North Dakota State Bison football team|North Dakota State]]
| W, 41–10<br />L, 3–38
|-
|-
|[[2018 NCAA Division I FCS football season#NCAA Division I playoff bracket|2018]]
| [[1997 Valparaiso Crusaders football team|Valparaiso]] || 2 || 3 || 3 || 7 || ??? || ???
|[[2018 San Diego Toreros football team|San Diego]]
|First Round
|[[2018 Nicholls Colonels football team|Nicholls]]
|L, 30–49
|-
|-
|[[2019 NCAA Division I FCS football season#NCAA Division I playoff bracket|2019]]
| [[1997 Evansville Purple Aces football team|Evansville]] || 0 || 5 || 2 || 8 || ??? || ???
|[[2019 San Diego Toreros football team|San Diego]]
|}
|First Round
{{col-break}}
|[[2019 Northern Iowa Panthers football team|Northern Iowa]]
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
|L, 3–17
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 1998 Pioneer Football League
|-
|-
|[[2020–21 NCAA Division I FCS football season##NCAA Division I playoff bracket|2020–21]]
! !! colspan="2" | Conf !! colspan="4" | Overall
|[[2020 Davidson Wildcats football team|Davidson]]
|First Round
|[[2020 Jacksonville State Gamecocks football team|Jacksonville State]]
|L, 14–49
|-
|-
|[[2021 NCAA Division I FCS football season#NCAA Division I playoff bracket|2021]]
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|[[2021 Davidson Wildcats football team|Davidson]]
|First Round
|[[2021 Kennesaw State Owls football team|Kennesaw State]]
|L, 21–48
|-
|-
|[[2022 NCAA Division I FCS football season#Bracket|2022]]
| [[1998 Drake Bulldogs football team|Drake]] || 4 || 0 || 7 || 3 || ??? || ???
|[[2022 Davidson Wildcats football team|Davidson]]*
|First Round
|[[2022 Richmond Spiders football team|Richmond]]
|L, 0–41
|-
|-
|[[2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season#Bracket|2023]]
| [[1998 Dayton Flyers football team|Dayton]] || 3 || 1 || 6 || 4 || ??? || ???
|[[2023 Drake Bulldogs football team|Drake]]
|-
|First Round
| [[1998 Valparaiso Crusaders football team|Valparaiso]] || 2 || 2 || 5 || 6 || ??? || ???
|[[2023 North Dakota State Bison football team|North Dakota State]]
|-
|L, 3–66
| [[1998 Butler Bulldogs football team|Butler]] || 1 || 3 || 4 || 6 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1998 San Diego Toreros football team|San Diego]] || 0 || 4 || 2 || 8 || ??? || ???
|}
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 1999 Pioneer Football League
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Conf !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| [[1999 Dayton Flyers football team|Dayton]] || 4 || 0 || 6 || 4 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1999 Valparaiso Crusaders football team|Valparaiso]] || 3 || 1 || 9 || 2 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1999 Drake Bulldogs football team|Drake]] || 2 || 2 || 7 || 4 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1999 San Diego Toreros football team|San Diego]] || 1 || 3 || 5 || 5 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[1999 Butler Bulldogs football team|Butler]] || 0 || 4 || 5 || 5 || ??? || ???
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 2000 Pioneer Football League
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Conf !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| [[2000 Dayton Flyers football team|Dayton]] || 3 || 1 || 8 || 3 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[2000 Drake Bulldogs football team|Drake]] || 3 || 1 || 7 || 4 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[2000 Valparaiso Crusaders football team|Valparaiso]] || 3 || 1 || 7 || 4 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[2000 San Diego Toreros football team|San Diego]] || 1 || 3 || 4 || 6 || ??? || ???
|-
| [[2000 Butler Bulldogs football team|Butler]] || 0 || 4 || 2 || 8 || ??? || ???
|}
{{Col-end}}


<nowiki>*</nowiki> - [[2022 St. Thomas Tommies football team|St. Thomas]] was the PFL champion in 2022; however, they were ineligible for postseason play due to still being in transition from [[NCAA Division III|Division III]]. Davidson, the runner-up, was awarded the auto-bid in their place.
{{Col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 2001 Pioneer Football League<ref>{{Wayback |date=20011212144654 |url=http://www.pioneer-football.org/standings.htm |title=Official Homepage of the Pioneer Football League<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="7" | North Division
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Div !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2001|team=Dayton Flyers|title=Dayton}} || 4 || 0 || 10 || 1 || ??? || ???
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2001|team=Butler Bulldogs|title=Butler}} || 2 || 2 || 5 || 5 || ??? || ???
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2001|team=San Diego Toreros|title=San Diego}} || 2 || 2 || 6 || 3 || ??? || ???
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2001|team=Drake Bulldogs|title=Drake}} || 1 || 3 || 5 || 5 || ??? || ???
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2001|team=Valparaiso Crusaders|title=Valparaiso}} || 1 || 3 || 3 || 8 || ??? || ???
|-
! colspan="7" | South Division
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Div !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2001|team=Jacksonville Dolphins|title=Jacksonville}} || 3 || 0 || 6 || 5 || ??? || ???
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2001|team=Morehead State Eagles|title=Morehead State}} || 2 || 1 || 6 || 5 || ??? || ???
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2001|team=Davidson Wildcats|title=Davidson}} || 1 || 2 || 5 || 4 || ??? || ???
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2001|team=Austin Peay Governors|title=Austin Peay}} || 0 || 3 || 3 || 7 || ??? || ???
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 2002 Pioneer Football League<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20030403051939/http://pioneer-football.org/articles/artfiles/30229_Week_12_lowres.pdf</ref>
|-
! colspan="7" | North Division
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Div !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2002|team=Dayton Flyers|title=Dayton}} || 4 || 0 || 11 || 1 || 423 || 118
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2002|team=San Diego Toreros|title=San Diego}} || 3 || 1 || 5 || 5 || 297 || 309
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2002|team=Butler Bulldogs|title=Butler}} || 2 || 2 || 4 || 6 || 294 || 374
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2002|team=Drake Bulldogs|title=Drake}} || 1 || 3 || 5 || 6 || 355 || 435
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2002|team=Valparaiso Crusaders|title=Valparaiso}} || 0 || 4 || 1 || 10 || 268 || 498
|-
! colspan="7" | South Division
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Div !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2002|team=Morehead State Eagles|title=Morehead State}} || 3 || 0 || 9 || 3 || 347 || 218
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2002|team=Davidson Wildcats|title=Davidson}} || 2 || 1 || 7 || 3 || 320 || 227
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2002|team=Austin Peay Governors|title=Austin Peay}} || 1 || 2 || 7 || 5 || 287 || 333
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2002|team=Jacksonville Dolphins|title=Jacksonville}} || 0 || 3 || 3 || 7 || 185 || 314
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 2003 Pioneer Football League<ref>{{Wayback |date=20031206101054 |url=http://www.collegesportingnews.net/SITES/PFL/ARTICLE.ASP?ARTICLEID=46804 |title=Official Internet Home of the Pioneer Football League<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="7" | North Division
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Div !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2003|team=Valparaiso Crusaders|title=Valparaiso}} || 3 || 1 || 8 || 4 || 406 || 333
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2003|team=San Diego Toreros|title=San Diego}} || 3 || 1 || 8 || 2 || 399 || 215
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2003|team=Dayton Flyers|title=Dayton}} || 2 || 2 || 9 || 2 || 400 || 183
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2003|team=Drake Bulldogs|title=Drake}} || 1 || 3 || 6 || 6 || 355 || 307
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2003|team=Butler Bulldogs|title=Butler}} || 1 || 3 || 2 || 9 || 119 || 418
|-
! colspan="7" | South Division
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Div !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2003|team=Morehead State Eagles|title=Morehead State}} || 3 || 0 || 8 || 3 || 327 || 185
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2003|team=Jacksonville Dolphins|title=Jacksonville}} || 1 || 2 || 5 || 6 || 268 || 307
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2003|team=Austin Peay Governors|title=Austin Peay}} || 1 || 2 || 4 || 7 || 194 || 276
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2003|team=Davidson Wildcats|title=Davidson}} || 1 || 2 || 3 || 8 || 246 || 364
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 2004 Pioneer Football League<ref>{{Wayback |date=20041204223121 |url=http://www.collegesportingnews.net/SITES/PFL/ARTICLE.ASP?ARTICLEID=59891 |title=Official Internet Home of the Pioneer Football League<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="7" | North Division
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Div !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| [[2004 Drake Bulldogs football team|Drake]] || 4 || 0 || 10 || 2 || 365 || 200
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2004|team=San Diego Toreros|title=San Diego}} || 3 || 1 || 7 || 4 || 397 || 266
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2004|team=Dayton Flyers|title=Dayton}} || 2 || 2 || 7 || 3 || 325 || 140
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2004|team=Valparaiso Crusaders|title=Valparaiso}} || 1 || 3 || 5 || 6 || 250 || 300
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2004|team=Butler Bulldogs|title=Butler}} || 0 || 4 || 1 || 10 || 118 || 344
|-
! colspan="7" | South Division
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Div !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2004|team=Morehead State Eagles|title=Morehead State}} || 2 || 1 || 6 || 6 || 235 || 231
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2004|team=Jacksonville Dolphins|title=Jacksonville}} || 2 || 1 || 3 || 7 || 188 || 345
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2004|team=Davidson Wildcats|title=Davidson}} || 1 || 2 || 2 || 7 || 132 || 254
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2004|team=Austin Peay Governors|title=Austin Peay}} || 1 || 2 || 2 || 9 || 161 || 313
|}
{{Col-end}}


==Historical standings==
{{Col-begin}}
{{main|List of Pioneer Football League standings}}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 2005 Pioneer Football League<ref>{{Wayback |date=20051202032433 |url=http://www.collegesportingnews.net/SITES/PFL/ARTICLE.ASP?ARTICLEID=71896 |title=Official Internet Home of the Pioneer Football League<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="7" | North Division
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Div !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2005|team=San Diego Toreros|title=San Diego}} || 4 || 0 || 11 || 1 || 512 || 205
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2005|team=Dayton Flyers|title=Dayton}} || 3 || 1 || 9 || 1 || 403 || 141
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2005|team=Drake Bulldogs|title=Drake}} || 2 || 2 || 6 || 4 || 376 || 229
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2005|team=Valparaiso Crusaders|title=Valparaiso}} || 1 || 3 || 3 || 8 || 154 || 424
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2005|team=Butler Bulldogs|title=Butler}} || 0 || 4 || 0 || 11 || 154 || 468
|-
! colspan="7" | South Division
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Div !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2005|team=Morehead State Eagles|title=Morehead State}} || 3 || 0 || 8 || 4 || 407 || 336
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2005|team=Jacksonville Dolphins|title=Jacksonville}} || 2 || 1 || 4 || 4 || 236 || 211
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2005|team=Davidson Wildcats|title=Davidson}} || 1 || 2 || 4 || 6 || 201 || 327
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2005|team=Austin Peay Governors|title=Austin Peay}} || 0 || 3 || 2 || 9 || 140 || 412
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 2006 Pioneer Football League<ref>[http://www.pioneer-football.org/media/stats/2006/confsked.htm Pioneer Football League - Standings/Schedules<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Conf !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2006|team=San Diego Toreros|title=San Diego}} || 7 || 0 || 11 || 1 || 514 || 155
|-
| [[2006 Drake Bulldogs football team|Drake]] || 6 || 1 || 9 || 2 || 303 || 168
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2006|team=Davidson Wildcats|title=Davidson}} || 5 || 2 || 6 || 4 || 295 || 228
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2006|team=Jacksonville Dolphins|title=Jacksonville}} || 4 || 3 || 4 || 6 || 206 || 323
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2006|team=Butler Bulldogs|title=Butler}} || 2 || 5 || 3 || 8 || 156 || 331
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2006|team=Morehead State Eagles|title=Morehead State}} || 2 || 5 || 2 || 9 || 218 || 322
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2006|team=Dayton Flyers|title=Dayton}} || 1 || 6 || 4 || 6 || 250 || 259
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2006|team=Valparaiso Crusaders|title=Valparaiso}} || 1 || 6 || 3 || 8 || 212 || 378
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 2007 Pioneer Football League
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Conf !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2007|team=Dayton Flyers|title=Dayton}} || 6 || 1 || 11 || 1 || 466 || 187
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2007|team=San Diego Toreros|title=San Diego}} || 6 || 1 || 9 || 2 || 488 || 287
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2007|team=Morehead State Eagles|title=Morehead State}} || 5 || 2 || 7 || 4 || 277 || 216
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2007|team=Davidson Wildcats|title=Davidson}} || 4 || 3 || 6 || 4 || 312 || 282
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2007|team=Drake Bulldogs|title=Drake}} || 3 || 4 || 6 || 5 || 293 || 293
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2007|team=Valparaiso Crusaders|title=Valparaiso}} || 2 || 5 || 5 || 6 || 245 || 321
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2007|team=Jacksonville Dolphins|title=Jacksonville}} || 2 || 5 || 3 || 8 || 240 || 351
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2007|team=Butler Bulldogs|title=Butler}} || 0 || 7 || 4 || 7 || 241 || 345
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 2008 Pioneer Football League<ref>{{Wayback |date=20081216031643 |url=http://www.pioneer-football.org/standings/ |title=Pioneer Football League<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref>
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Conf !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| [[2008 Jacksonville Dolphins football team|Jacksonville]] || 7 || 1 || 9 || 4 || 401 || 252
|-
| [[2008 San Diego Toreros football team|San Diego]] || 6 || 2 || 8 || 2 || 360 || 188
|-
| [[2008 Dayton Flyers football team|Dayton]] || 6 || 2 || 9 || 3 || 339 || 184
|-
| [[2008 Butler Bulldogs football team|Butler]] || 4 || 4 || 6 || 5 || 326 || 269
|-
| [[2008 Drake Bulldogs football team|Drake]] || 4 || 4 || 6 || 5 || 219 || 196
|-
| [[2008 Morehead State Eagles football team|Morehead State]] || 4 || 4 || 6 || 5 || 294 || 244
|-
| [[2008 Davidson Wildcats football team|Davidson]] || 3 || 5 || 4 || 7 || 286 || 280
|-
| [[2008 Valparaiso Crusaders football team|Valparaiso]] || 2 || 6 || 3 || 8 || 202 || 336
|-
| [[2008 Campbell Camels football team|Campbell]] || 0 || 8 || 1 || 10 || 98 || 447
|}
{{Col-end}}


== Conference facilities ==
{{Col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 2009 Pioneer Football League<ref>http://www.pioneer-football.org/weeklyreport/2009/PFLMonday12.pdf</ref>
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Conf !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| [[2009 Butler Bulldogs football team|Butler]] || 7 || 1 || 11 || 1 || 316 || 196
|-
| [[2009 Dayton Flyers football team|Dayton]] || 7 || 1 || 9 || 2 || 343 || 234
|-
| [[2009 Drake Bulldogs football team|Drake]] || 6 || 2 || 8 || 3 || 319 || 246
|-
| [[2009 Jacksonville Dolphins football team|Jacksonville]] || 6 || 2 || 7 || 4 || 343 || 234
|-
| [[2009 Marist Foxes football team|Marist]] || 5 || 3 || 7 || 4 || 275 || 221
|-
| [[2009 San Diego Toreros football team|San Diego]] || 3 || 5 || 4 || 7 || 247 || 345
|-
| [[2009 Davidson Wildcats football team|Davidson]] || 3 || 5 || 4 || 7 || 193 || 229
|-
| [[2009 Campbell Camels football team|Campbell]] || 2 || 6 || 3 || 8 || 156 || 263
|-
| [[2009 Morehead State Eagles football team|Morehead State]] || 1 || 7 || 3 || 8 || 342 || 354
|-
| [[2009 Valparaiso Crusaders football team|Valparaiso]] || 0 || 8 || 1 || 10 || 155 || 470
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 2010 Pioneer Football League<ref>http://www.pioneer-football.org/weeklyreport/2010/PFLSunday12.pdf</ref>
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Conf !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| [[2010 Jacksonville Dolphins football team|Jacksonville]] || 8 || 0 || 10 || 1 || 464 || 225
|-
| [[2010 Dayton Flyers football team|Dayton]] || 8 || 0 || 10 || 1 || 390 || 232
|-
| [[2010 Drake Bulldogs football team|Drake]] || 6 || 2 || 7 || 4 || 289 || 225
|-
| [[2010 San Diego Toreros football team|San Diego]] || 5 || 3 || 5 || 6 || 237 || 241
|-
| [[2010 Morehead State Eagles football team|Morehead State]] || 4 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 236 || 350
|-
| [[2010 Davidson Wildcats football team|Davidson]] || 3 || 5 || 3 || 8 || 163 || 335
|-
| [[2010 Campbell Camels football team|Campbell]] || 2 || 6 || 3 || 8 || 261 || 294
|-
| [[2010 Butler Bulldogs football team|Butler]] || 2 || 6 || 4 || 7 || 202 || 211
|-
| [[2010 Marist Foxes football team|Marist]] || 2 || 6 || 3 || 8 || 257 || 292
|-
| [[2010 Valparaiso Crusaders football team|Valparaiso]] || 0 || 8 || 0 || 11 || 100 || 514
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 2011 Pioneer Football League<ref>http://www.pioneer-football.org/weeklyreport/2011/PFLSunday12.pdf</ref>
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Conf !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| [[2011 Drake Bulldogs football team|Drake]] || 7 || 1 || 9 || 2 || 316 || 196
|-
| [[2011 San Diego Toreros football team|San Diego]] || 7 || 1 || 9 || 2 || 342 || 260
|-
| [[2011 Jacksonville Dolphins football team|Jacksonville]] || 6 || 2 || 7 || 4 || 357 || 257
|-
| {{cfb link|year=2011|team=Campbell Camels|title=Campbell}} || 5 || 3 || 6 || 5 || 343 || 234
|-
| [[2011 Dayton Flyers football team|Dayton]] || 4 || 4 || 6 || 5 || 275 || 221
|-
| [[2011 Butler Bulldogs football team|Butler]] || 3 || 5 || 5 || 6 || 282 || 298
|-
| [[2011 Marist Red Foxes football team|Marist]] || 3 || 5 || 4 || 7 || 193 || 229
|-
| [[2011 Davidson Wildcats football team|Davidson]] || 2 || 6 || 4 || 7 || 186 || 285
|-
| [[2011 Morehead State Eagles football team|Morehead State]] || 2 || 6 || 3 || 8 || 397 || 389
|-
| [[2011 Valparaiso Crusaders football team|Valparaiso]] || 1 || 7 || 1 || 10 || 177 || 500
|}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 2012 Pioneer Football League<ref>[http://www.pioneer-football.org/standings/default/ Standings - 2012 PFL Standings - Pioneer Football League Official Site<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Conf !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| [[2012 Drake Bulldogs football team|Drake]] || 7 || 1 || 8 || 3 || 322 || 236
|-
| [[2012 Butler Bulldogs football team|Butler]] || 7 || 1 || 8 || 3 || 302 || 243
|-
| [[2012 San Diego Toreros football team|San Diego]] || 7 || 1 || 8 || 3 || 323 || 212
|-
| [[2012 Jacksonville Dolphins football team|Jacksonville]] || 5 || 3 || 7 || 4 || 275 || 239
|-
| [[2012 Dayton Flyers football team|Dayton]] || 5 || 3 || 6 || 5 || 251 || 230
|-
| [[2012 Marist Red Foxes football team|Marist]] || 3 || 5 || 4 || 7 || 249 || 206
|-
| [[2012 Morehead State Eagles football team|Morehead State]] || 3 || 5 || 4 || 7 || 422 || 334
|-
| [[2012 Davidson Wildcats football team|Davidson]] || 2 || 6 || 2 || 9 || 177 || 334
|-
| [[2012 Valparaiso Crusaders football team|Valparaiso]] || 1 || 7 || 1 || 10 || 202 || 496
|-
| [[2012 Campbell Fighting Camels football team|Campbell]] || 0 || 8 || 1 || 10 || 156 || 422
|}
{{Col-end}}
{{Col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; line-height:90%;"
! colspan="10" style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 2013 Pioneer Football League
|-
! !! colspan="2" | Conf !! colspan="4" | Overall
|-
! Team !! W !! L !! W !! L !! PF !! PA
|-
| [[2013 Butler Bulldogs football team|Butler]]* || 7 || 1 || 9 || 4 || 433 || 349
|-
| [[2013 Marist Red Foxes football team|Marist]] || 7 || 1 || 8 || 3 || 378 || 226
|-
| [[2013 Mercer Bears football team|Mercer]] || 6 || 2 || 10 || 2 || 459 || 287
|-
| [[2013 Dayton Flyers football team|Dayton]] || 5 || 3 || 7 || 4 || 335 || 262
|-
| [[2013 Drake Bulldogs football team|Drake]] || 5 || 3 || 6 || 5 || 274 || 215
|-
| [[2013 Jacksonville Dolphins football team|Jacksonville]] || 4 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 460 || 375
|-
| [[2013 Morehead State Eagles football team|Morehead State]] || 3 || 5 || 3 || 9 || 349 || 451
|-
| [[2013 Campbell Fighting Camels football team|Campbell]] || 2 || 6 || 3 || 9 || 349 || 451
|-
| [[2013 Stetson Hatters football team|Stetson]] || 1 || 7 || 2 || 9 || 195 || 360
|-
| [[2013 Valparaiso Crusaders football team|Valparaiso]] || 1 || 7 || 1 || 10 || 229 || 493
|-
| [[2013 Davidson Wildcats football team|Davidson]] || 0 || 8 || 0 || 11 || 154 || 445
|-
| [[2013 San Diego Toreros football team|San Diego]]†
|| 7 || 1 || 8 || 3 || 430 || 250
|}
{{ref begin}}
:<sup>*</sup> Butler granted automatic qualifier for FCS playoffs over Marist.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/2013/11/19/butler-football-earns-its-first-fcs-playoff-bid/3645267/|title=Butler football earns its first FCS playoff bid|publisher=''The Indianapolis Star''|date=2013-11-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pioneer-football.org/news/archives/2013/929/butler-university-wins-pfl-tiebreaker-division-i-football-championship-automatic-qualification/|title=Butler University wins PFL tiebreaker, Division I Football Championship automatic qualification|publisher=''Pioneer Football League''|date=2013-11-19}}</ref>
:<sup>†</sup> San Diego self-disqualified due to violation of league rules.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/nov/14/usd-toreros-pfl/|title=USD forgoes consideration for PFL title|last=Norcross|first=Dan|date=14 November 2013|publisher=''The San Diego Union-Tribune''|accessdate=17 November 2013}}</ref>
{{ref end}}
{{Col-end}}


{| class="wikitable sortable"
== Conference facilities ==
|-bgcolor=956a50
{| class="wikitable"
| style="text-align:center"| {{color|white|'''School'''}}
| style="text-align:center"| {{color|white|'''Football Stadium'''}}
| style="text-align:center"| {{color|white|'''Capacity'''}}
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Butler Bulldogs |color=#FFFFFF}}"| [[Butler Bulldogs football|{{color|white|'''Butler'''}}]]
!School
|[[Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl]]
!Football Stadium
|7,500
!Capacity
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Davidson Wildcats |color=#FFFFFF}}"| [[Davidson Wildcats football|{{color|white|'''Davidson'''}}]]
|[[Butler Bulldogs|Butler]]
|[[Butler Bowl]]
|7,500<ref>http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/butl/sports/m-soccer/auto_pdf/05MSocProspectus.pdf</ref>
|-
|[[Campbell Fighting Camels|Campbell]]
|[[Barker–Lane Stadium]]
|5,200
|-
|[[Davidson Wildcats|Davidson]]
|[[Richardson Stadium]]
|[[Richardson Stadium]]
|6,000
|4,741
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Dayton Flyers |color=#FFFFFF}}"| [[Dayton Flyers football|{{color|white|'''Dayton'''}}]]
|[[Dayton Flyers|Dayton]]
|[[Welcome Stadium]]
|[[Welcome Stadium]]
|11,000
|11,000
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Drake Bulldogs |color=#FFFFFF}}"| [[Drake Bulldogs football|{{color|white|'''Drake'''}}]]
|[[Drake Bulldogs|Drake]]
|[[Drake Stadium]]
|[[Drake Stadium (Drake University)|Drake Stadium]]
|14,557<ref>[http://www.godrakebulldogs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15700&ATCLID=899758 Drake Stadium History - GoDrakeBulldogs.com—Official Web site of Drake University Athletics<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|14,557<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.godrakebulldogs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15700&ATCLID=899758|title=Drake Stadium History|publisher=Drake Athletics|access-date=December 31, 2008}}</ref>
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Marist Red Foxes |color=#FFFFFF}}"| [[Marist Red Foxes football|{{color|white|'''Marist'''}}]]
|[[Jacksonville Dolphins|Jacksonville]]
|[[D. B. Milne Field]]
|5,500
|-
|[[Marist Red Foxes|Marist]]
|[[Leonidoff Field]]
|[[Leonidoff Field]]
|5,000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goredfoxes.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205239935|title=Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field|publisher=Marist Athletics|access-date=December 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208221053/http://www.goredfoxes.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205239935|archive-date=December 8, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|5,000
|-
|-
|[[Morehead State Eagles|Morehead State]]
| style="text-align:center; {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Morehead State Eagles |color=#FFFFFF}}"| [[Morehead State Eagles football|{{color|white|'''Morehead State'''}}]]
|[[Jayne Stadium]]
|[[Jayne Stadium]]
|10,000
|10,000
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Presbyterian Blue Hose |color=#FFFFFF}}"| [[Presbyterian Blue Hose football|{{color|white|'''Presbyterian'''}}]]
|[[San Diego Toreros|San Diego]]
|[[Bailey Memorial Stadium]]
|6,500
|-
| style="text-align:center; color: white; {{CollegePrimaryStyle|St. Thomas (Minnesota) Tommies |color=#FFFFFF}}"| [[St. Thomas Tommies football|{{color|white|'''St. Thomas'''}}]]
|[[O'Shaughnessy Stadium]]
|5,025
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{CollegePrimaryStyle|San Diego Toreros |color=#FFFFFF}}"| [[San Diego Toreros football|{{color|white|'''San Diego'''}}]]
|[[Torero Stadium]]
|[[Torero Stadium]]
|6,000
|6,000
|-
|-
| [[Stetson Hatters|Stetson]]
| style="text-align:center; {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Stetson Hatters |color=#FFFFFF}}"| [[Stetson Hatters football|{{color|white|'''Stetson'''}}]]
| [[Spec Martin Stadium|Spec Martin Memorial Stadium]]
| [[Spec Martin Stadium|Spec Martin Memorial Stadium]]
| 6,000
| 6,000
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center; {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Valparaiso Beacons |color=#FFFFFF}}"| [[Valparaiso Beacons football|{{color|white|'''Valparaiso'''}}]]
|[[Valparaiso Crusaders|Valparaiso]]
|[[Brown Field (Valparaiso University)|Brown Field]]
|[[Brown Field (Valparaiso University)|Brown Field]]
|5,000
|5,000
Line 1,257: Line 862:


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links ==
==External links ==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.pioneer-football.org}}
* {{Official website}}


{{Pioneer Football League navbox}}
{{Pioneer Football League navbox}}
{{NCAA Division I FCS conference navbox}}
{{NCAA Division I FCS conference navbox}}


[[Category:Pioneer Football League|*]]
[[Category:Pioneer Football League| ]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1991]]
[[Category:Sports organizations established in 1991]]
[[Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines]]
[[Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines]]
[[Category:1991 establishments in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 16:49, 23 January 2024

Pioneer Football League
AssociationNCAA
Founded1991; 33 years ago (1991)
CommissionerGreg Walter (since 2023)
Sports fielded
  • 1 (football)
    • men's: 1
    • women's: 0
DivisionDivision I
SubdivisionFCS
No. of teams11
HeadquartersSt. Louis, Missouri
RegionNationwide
Official websitepioneer-football.org
Locations
Location of teams in {{{title}}}

The Pioneer Football League (PFL) is a collegiate athletic conference which operates in the United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a football-only conference. It has member schools that range from New York, North Carolina, and Florida in the east to California in the west. It is headquartered in St. Louis, in the same complex that also contains the offices of the Missouri Valley Conference and Missouri Valley Football Conference. Unlike most other Division I FCS conferences, the Pioneer League consists of institutions that choose not to award athletic scholarships ("grants-in-aid") to football players.

Most of the PFL's members are private schools. Morehead State University is currently the only public school in the conference.

History[edit]

Foundation[edit]

Following an NCAA rule change passed in January 1991, which required Division I schools to conduct all sports at the Division I level by 1993, the conference was formed by charter members Butler University, the University of Dayton, Drake University, the University of Evansville, and Valparaiso University.[1] The University of San Diego joined in 1992, and the league played its first season in 1993. The six original schools which played in the 1993 season had previously sponsored football at the Division I, Division II and Division III levels.

Membership changes[edit]

Original contraction

In 1997, the league was reduced to five members when the University of Evansville downgraded football from Division I to club status.

2001 expansion

In 2001, the conference nearly doubled in size and was reorganized with the five pre-2001 members forming the North Division, and newcomers Austin Peay State University, Davidson College, Jacksonville University and Morehead State University forming the South Division. The reorganization spawned a new championship system in which the best record holders from each division would play in a title game for the conference championship.

2005–2008 membership changes

On April 8, 2005, Austin Peay announced its departure from the league effective after the 2005 season; Austin Peay returned to scholarship-granting competition in 2007 as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference in which it competes in other sports. As a result, the conference reverted to round-robin play; the divisions and championship game were abolished. On April 7, 2006, Campbell University announced the reinstatement of football effective in 2008, and on December 5, 2007, accepted an invitation to the PFL.[2] In February 2008, Marist College announced that it would join the PFL for the 2009 season, after the MAAC stopped sponsoring football.[3] Although Campbell moved in 2011 from the Atlantic Sun Conference to the Big South Conference, which sponsors football, it did not join the Big South in football and remained in the PFL through the 2017 season.[4]

2013 membership changes & automatic playoff berth

On June 13, 2011, Mercer University and Stetson University were announced as league members (effective 2013) bringing membership to 12 schools.[5] In addition, as of 2013, the league has an automatic bid into the FCS division I playoffs.[6] Soon after its PFL membership was announced, Mercer accepted an invitation to join the Southern Conference (scholarship-granting) effective July 1, 2014.[7] During its one season in the league, Mercer set a Division I win–loss record for start-up programs; Mercer finished the 2013 season with an overall record of 10–2 including an undefeated 8–0 record at home, also a Division I record held jointly with Auburn University, which likewise went undefeated at home in 2013.

On July 1, 2014, Mercer University joined the Southern Conference for all sports, including football.

The next change in conference membership was announced on November 14, 2016, when Campbell announced it would transition to scholarship football and add that sport to its existing Big South membership effective with the 2018 season, temporarily reducing the PFL membership to 10.[8] Barring any further changes to conference membership, the PFL would have returned to 11 members in 2021, following the November 20, 2017 announcement of Presbyterian College that it would join the conference starting with the 2021 season. Presbyterian remains in the Big South Conference for all other sports.[9] While Presbyterian did not become a full conference member until July 2021, it began PFL play in the spring 2021 season, rescheduled from fall 2020 due to COVID-19. After two PFL members chose not to play in the 2020–21 school year, the conference entered into a scheduling agreement with Presbyterian that included it in the spring 2021 schedule. While PC was not eligible for the PFL title in that season, it was eligible for the league's individual awards and honors.[10][11]

2019: Jacksonville drops football

On December 3, 2019 Jacksonville University announced that it discontinued its football program immediately.[12]

2021: Further expansion

Presbyterian was joined as a new PFL member in 2021 by the University of St. Thomas, a Twin Cities school that had been expelled from its longtime Division III home of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) effective in 2021–22. Shortly after the MIAC announced St. Thomas' expulsion, the Summit League, a non-football Division I conference, offered the Tommies membership. The NCAA announced on July 15, 2020 that it had granted a waiver to allow St. Thomas to make the jump to D-I on a five-year schedule, instead of the four years used for moves from Division II. The Tommies will not be eligible for the FCS playoffs until the transition is completed in 2026.[13]

Member schools[edit]

Current members[edit]

Institution Location Founded Joined Type Enrollment Nickname Colors Primary
conference
when
joining
the PFL 		Current
primary
conference
Butler University Indianapolis, Indiana 1855 1991 Private 5,554 Bulldogs     Horizon Big East
Davidson College Davidson, North Carolina 1837 2001 1,950 Wildcats     SoCon Atlantic 10
University of Dayton Dayton, Ohio 1850 1991 8,353 Flyers     Horizon
Drake University Des Moines, Iowa 1881 3,164 Bulldogs     Missouri Valley
Marist College Poughkeepsie, New York 1929 2009 6,200 Red Foxes     MAAC
Morehead State University Morehead, Kentucky 1922 2001 Public 8,218 Eagles     OVC
Presbyterian College Clinton, South Carolina 1880 2021 Private 1,172 Blue Hose     Big South
University of St. Thomas St. Paul, Minnesota 1885 9,878 Tommies     Summit
University of San Diego San Diego, California 1949 1992 4,904 Toreros       WCC
Stetson University DeLand, Florida 1883 2013 4,330 Hatters     ASUN
Valparaiso University Valparaiso, Indiana 1859 1991 2,917 Beacons     Summit Missouri Valley
Notes

Former members[edit]

Institution Location Founded Joined Left Type Nickname Colors Primary
conference
when
joining
the PFL 		Current
primary
conference
Austin Peay State University Clarksville, Tennessee 1927 2001 2006 Public Governors     OVC ASUN
Campbell University Buies Creek, North Carolina 1887 2008 2018 Private Fighting Camels     ASUN CAA
University of Evansville Evansville, Indiana 1854 1991 1998[a] Purple Aces       Missouri Valley
Jacksonville University Jacksonville, Florida 1934 2001 2020[b] Dolphins     ASUN
Mercer University Macon, Georgia 1833 2013 2014 Bears     ASUN SoCon
Notes
  1. ^ Evansville dropped football following the 1997–98 school year.
  2. ^ Jacksonville dropped football following the 2019–20 school year.

Membership timeline[edit]

University of St. Thomas (Minnesota)Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic ConferencePresbyterian CollegeNCAA Division I FCS independent schoolsBig South ConferenceNCAA Division I FCS independent schoolsSouth Atlantic ConferenceStetson UniversitySouthern ConferenceMercer UniversityMarist CollegeNCAA Division I FCS independent schoolsMetro Atlantic Athletic ConferenceNCAA Division I FCS independent schoolsLiberty Football ConferenceAtlantic Collegiate Football ConferenceCoastal Athletic Association Football ConferenceBig South ConferenceCampbell UniversityMorehead State UniversityNCAA Division I FCS independent schoolsOhio Valley ConferenceJacksonville UniversityNCAA Division I FCS independent schoolsDavidson CollegeNCAA Division I FCS independent schoolsNCAA Division III independent schoolsUnited Athletic ConferenceASUN ConferenceOhio Valley ConferenceNCAA Division I FCS independent schoolsAustin Peay State UniversityNCAA Division I FCS independent schoolsOhio Valley ConferenceUniversity of San DiegoNCAA Division III independent schoolsValparaiso UniversityUniversity of EvansvilleDrake UniversityUniversity of DaytonButler University

Full members  Other Conference  Other Conference 

Rivalries[edit]

One in-state rivalry currently exists in the PFL. A second had existed before Jacksonville discontinued its football program.

Butler and Valparaiso first played in 1927, and had nine meetings prior to 1951. That year, the two teams began playing every year, and in 2006 began playing for the Hoosier Helmet Trophy. Butler currently leads 47–24. The two schools had an all-sports rivalry as well when both were in the Horizon League together from 2007 to 2012.

Jacksonville and Stetson had a football rivalry that ran from 2013, when Stetson began PFL play, to 2019, after which Jacksonville dropped football. The schools have been conference rivals in other sports since 1998, when Jacksonville joined the ASUN Conference, home to Stetson since 1985.

Butler and Dayton also have a rivalry based on proximity to each other. The teams have met every year since 1977 with the exception of 1991 and 1992. Dayton leads 26–11–1.

Conference championships[edit]

Pioneer Football League is located in the United States
Butler
Butler
Davidson
Davidson
Dayton
Dayton
Drake
Drake
Marist
Marist
Morehead State
Morehead State
Presbyterian
Presbyterian
St. Thomas
St. Thomas
San Diego
San Diego
Stetson
Stetson
Valparaiso
Valparaiso
class=notpageimage|
Locations of Pioneer Football League schools

PFL champions[edit]

Season Champion Record
1993 Dayton 5–0–0
1994 Butler
Dayton		 4–1–0
1995 Drake 5–0–0
1996 Dayton 5–0–0
1997 Dayton 5–0–0
1998 Drake 4–0
1999 Dayton 4–0
2000 Dayton
Drake
Valparaiso 		3–1
2001 Dayton Championship Game
2002 Dayton Championship Game
2003 Valparaiso Championship Game
2004 Drake Championship Game
2005 San Diego Championship Game
2006 San Diego 7–0
2007 Dayton
San Diego 		6–1
2008 Jacksonville 7–1
2009 Butler
Dayton 		7–1
2010 Jacksonville
Dayton 		8–0
2011 San Diego
Drake 		7–1
2012 Butler
Drake
San Diego 		7–1
2013 Butler
Marist 		7–1
2014 San Diego 7–1[14]
2015 Dayton
San Diego 		7–1
2016 San Diego 8–0
2017 San Diego 8–0
2018 San Diego 8–0
2019 San Diego 8–0
2020/21* Davidson 4–1
2021 Davidson
San Diego 		7–1
2022 St. Thomas 8-0
2023 Drake 8-0

(*) Due to COVID-19, the Pioneer Football League suspended the fall 2020 football season. Dayton and Marist opted out of the spring season. Presbyterian played a full PFL schedule, but was ineligible for the conference title, and its games were not counted in PFL standings.

League titles by school[edit]

School Championships Championship Years
Dayton
12
 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001*, 2002*, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015
San Diego
12
 2005*, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
Drake
7
 1995, 1998, 2000, 2004*, 2011, 2012, 2023
Butler
4
 1994, 2009, 2012, 2013
Jacksonville
2
 2008, 2010
Valparaiso
2
 2000, 2003*
Davidson
2
 2020×, 2021
Marist
1
 2013
St. Thomas
1
 2022
Campbell
0
 –
Morehead State
0
 –
Evansville
0
 –
Austin Peay
0
 –
Stetson
0
 –
Presbyterian
0
 –

* – Won in PFL Championship Game
× – played in spring 2021
Italics – Co-champions

PFL Championship Game[edit]

Season North Division Score South Division Location
2001 Dayton 46–14 Jacksonville Dayton, Ohio
2002 Dayton 28–0 Morehead State Morehead, Kentucky
2003 Valparaiso 54–42 Morehead State Valparaiso, Indiana
2004 Drake 20–17 Morehead State Morehead, Kentucky
2005 San Diego 47–40 Morehead State San Diego, California

Postseason games[edit]

The Pioneer Football League has had alliances with the Gridiron Classic and the Sports Network Cup. In addition, league members are allowed to accept at-large invitations to other college bowl games and teams are eligible to compete in the FCS playoffs.

Through the 2012 season, the NCAA did not offer the league an automatic invite to the FCS playoffs and never offered an at-large bid to any of its teams, effectively barring the league from the tournament. Starting in 2013, the Pioneer League received an automatic bid to compete in the Division I Football Championship as the playoffs expanded from 20 teams to 24. The PFL won its first playoff game in 2016, as San Diego advanced past the first round of the playoffs.

The PFL was a participant in the NCAA Division I FCS Consensus Mid-Major Football National Championship, along with the Northeast Conference and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, two other conferences without automatic playoff bids. The Consensus championship has since been discontinued; the NEC first earned an automatic postseason bid in 2010, while the MAAC no longer sponsors football.

Members pre-PFL postseason results[edit]

Below are postseason accomplishments by past and current members prior to the formation of the Pioneer Football League.

Season Champion Runner-up Bowl
1945 Drake 13 Fresno State 12 Raisin Bowl
1946 Evansville 19 Northern Illinois 7 Turkey Bowl
1947 Evansville 20 Northern Illinois 0 Hoosier Bowl
1948 Drake 14 Arizona 13 Salad Bowl
1948 Evansville 13 Missouri Valley 7 Refrigerator Bowl
1949 Evansville 22 Hillsdale 7 Refrigerator Bowl
1950 Wisconsin-La Crosse 47 Valparaiso 14 Cigar Bowl
1951 Houston 26 Dayton 21 Salad Bowl
1957 Louisville 34 Drake 20 Sun Bowl
1960 Middle Tennessee State 21 Presbyterian 12 Tangerine Bowl
1969 Arkansas State 29 Drake 21 Pecan Bowl
1969 Toledo 56 Davidson 33 Tangerine Bowl
1972 Tennessee State 29 Drake 7 Pioneer Bowl
1973 Wittenberg 21 San Diego 14 Division III Playoffs
1974 Central (IA) 31 Evansville 14 Division III Playoffs
1980 Dayton 63 Ithaca 0 Stagg Bowl
1981 Widener 17 Dayton 10 Stagg Bowl
1983 Cal Davis 25 Butler 3 Division II Playoffs
1987 Wagner 19 Dayton 3 Stagg Bowl
1988 Tennessee-Martin 23 Butler 3 Division II Playoffs
1989 Dayton 17 Union (NY) 7 Stagg Bowl
1991 Ithaca 34 Dayton 20 Stagg Bowl
1991 Pittsburg State 26 Butler 16 Division II Playoffs

PFL Sports Network Cup results[edit]

PFL Gridiron Classic results[edit]

From 2006 through 2009, the PFL and Northeast Conference (NEC) staged the Gridiron Classic, an exempted postseason football game that matched the champions of the two conferences which were technically members of Division I FCS, but which were not the recipients of automatic invitations to the football championship playoff at the time.

Season Champion Runner-up
2006 San Diego 27 Monmouth 7
2007 Dayton 42 Albany 21
2008 Albany 28 Jacksonville 0
2009 Butler 28 Central Connecticut 23

NCAA Division I Football Championship results[edit]

Since 2013, the PFL champion has received an invite to the FCS playoffs; previously, PFL teams had to receive an at-large bid, which no team ever received.

Season PFL Champion Round Opponent(s) Result(s)
2013 Butler First Round Tennessee State L, 0–31
2014 San Diego First Round Montana L, 14–52
2015 Dayton First Round Western Illinois L, 7–24
2016 San Diego First Round
Second Round 		Cal Poly
North Dakota State 		W, 35–21
L, 7–45
2017 San Diego First Round
Second Round 		Northern Arizona
North Dakota State 		W, 41–10
L, 3–38
2018 San Diego First Round Nicholls L, 30–49
2019 San Diego First Round Northern Iowa L, 3–17
2020–21 Davidson First Round Jacksonville State L, 14–49
2021 Davidson First Round Kennesaw State L, 21–48
2022 Davidson* First Round Richmond L, 0–41
2023 Drake First Round North Dakota State L, 3–66

* - St. Thomas was the PFL champion in 2022; however, they were ineligible for postseason play due to still being in transition from Division III. Davidson, the runner-up, was awarded the auto-bid in their place.

Historical standings[edit]

Main article: List of Pioneer Football League standings

Conference facilities[edit]

School Football Stadium Capacity
Butler Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl 7,500
Davidson Richardson Stadium 4,741
Dayton Welcome Stadium 11,000
Drake Drake Stadium 14,557[15]
Marist Leonidoff Field 5,000[16]
Morehead State Jayne Stadium 10,000
Presbyterian Bailey Memorial Stadium 6,500
St. Thomas O'Shaughnessy Stadium 5,025
San Diego Torero Stadium 6,000
Stetson Spec Martin Memorial Stadium 6,000
Valparaiso Brown Field 5,000

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Drake joins new league". The Telegraph-Herald. Dubuque, Iowa. November 22, 1991. pp. Page 1B. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  2. ^ "Campbell University Accepts Invitation to Join Pioneer Football League". GoCamels.com. December 5, 2007. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
  3. ^ "Marist gets a National Stage and Travel Schedule". nytimes.com. September 11, 2009.
  4. ^ "Campbell University To Re-Join Big South Conference" (Press release). Big South Conference. May 14, 2009. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  5. ^ "Mercer University, Stetson University to join Pioneer Football League in 2013". June 13, 2011. Archived from the original on August 25, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
  6. ^ Birch, Tommy (August 23, 2012). "Pioneer Football League officially announces automatic bid". Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  7. ^ "VMI, ETSU, Mercer to join SoCon". College Football. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  8. ^ "Fighting Camels football to join Big South in 2018" (Press release). Campbell University. November 14, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  9. ^ "Presbyterian College Unveils New Strategic Plan" (Press release). Presbyterian College. November 19, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  10. ^ "PFL Announces Updated Spring Schedule" (Press release). Pioneer Football League. February 2, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  11. ^ "Valparaiso's Washington, San Diego's Glajchen Highlight 2020-21 PFL Major Award Recipients" (Press release). Pioneer Football League. April 26, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  12. ^ Moretti III, Matt. "Jacksonville University Discontinues Football". judolphins.com. Jacksonville Athletics. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  13. ^ Haugen, Emily (July 15, 2020). "BREAKING: St. Thomas approved to begin transition to Division I athletics". TommieMedia. Minneapolis, Minnesota. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  14. ^ "Football Program Compliance Update". Jacksonville University. November 14, 2014. Archived from the original on November 19, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  15. ^ "Drake Stadium History". Drake Athletics. Retrieved December 31, 2008.
  16. ^ "Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field". Marist Athletics. Archived from the original on December 8, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pioneer Football League.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pioneer_Football_League&oldid=1198257354"