DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake University Director of Athletics Sandy Hatfield Clubb announced that the men's tennis program has accepted an invitation from The Summit League Commissioner Tom Douple to join as affiliate men's tennis member. The new affiliation begins in the 2017-18 academic year.
 
The Bulldogs will be joined by the lone remaining Missouri Valley Conference rival Illinois State as new affiliate members and will be immediately eligible for regular season and postseason championships along with all individual awards in their initial 2018 Summit League campaign. Summit League men's tennis membership will now consist of seven teams: Denver, Drake, Illinois State, IUPUI, Omaha, Oral Roberts, and South Dakota State.
 
"We are very pleased to add two quality tennis programs to The Summit League," said Commissioner Tom Douple. "Drake and Illinois State have a successful history of league championships. Adding these programs raises the caliber of competition and will certainly strengthen Summit League men's tennis for years to come."
 
Drake brings to The Summit League nine Missouri Valley Conference regular season titles, nine MVC Tournament championships and nine NCAA tournament appearances.