DES MOINES, IOWA -- The first ever National D Club Reunion weekend got off to rousing start Friday night at the Drake Knapp Center.

Members of the Drake football teams which played in the 1969 Pecan Bowl and 1972 Pioneer Bowl were recognized.

The 2-hour 30-minute program featuring welcoming remarks from Drake president David Maxwell, Drake athletic director Sandy Hatfield Clubb and Drake head football coach Chris Creighton.

The evening festivities concluded with a talk by longtime Drake athletic historian Paul Morrison.

Former Drake basketball standout Dolph Pulliam served as master of ceremonies.

More than 200 former Drake letterwinners are expected to return to the Drake campus during homecoming weekend.

Letterwinners from every sport are expected to be represented.

Creighton welcomed the former Drake football players in attendance Friday night.

"It is great to have you back and we want to make you proud." said Creighton. "When you have reunions it is about the people and you have to be special to play at Drake."

Vic Franciose, Gary Kasten, Steve Parkhurst, J.E. Williams and Doug Winsolw lettered on both the 1969 and 1972 Drake football teams.

"Those of us in the Drake athletics department are really thrilled at the great response to this weekend," said Morrison. "Some people have made a great effort, traveling many miles to be here and we appreciate that."

Morrison noted that the National D Club Reunion was a culmination of several years of honoring various teams.

"When our wonderful Athletic Director Sandy Hatfield Clubb came on the scene several years ago she wanted to recognize our great past athletic history and also embrace our future in athletics," noted Morrison. "So this National D Club Reunion is a culmination of several years of honoring various teams."

The National D Club was former on April 29, 1950, and was established to allow and encourage former Drake athletes to support Drake's athletic programs.

The letterwinners will be treated to a tour of the Drake campus beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center parking lot. That's followed by a homecoming tailgate at the Tennis Center parking lot.

The letterwinners will be recognized during pregame activities at 12:30 p.m. prior to the 1 p.m. football game between Drake and Missouri S&T.

Letterwinners can also watch the Drake women's volleyball team face Creighton at 7 p.m. in the Drake Knapp Center as well as viewing the Drake men's soccer match against Evansville at 7 p.m. at the Cownie Complex.