DES MOINES, Iowa - Drake athletics welcomed the 2016 Drake University class to the Knapp Center Saturday afternoon for a kickoff to the 2012-13 athletics season.

Director of athletics Sandy Hatfield Clubb, coaches and student-athletes spoke to the new students and encouraged them to come out and support the Bulldogs and enjoy their collegiate experience. Football student-athletes, Naser Hannoon and T.J. James as well as Ben Simmons of the men's basketball team spoke. Men's basketball head coach Mark Phelps, football coach Chris Creighton and women's basketball coach Jennie Baranczyk each encouraged the students to enjoy their collegiate experience at Drake.

The event closed with a relay race between members of each of the sitting sections. The winners won free Burger King whopper's for each person in their section. Each student in attendance received the 2012-13 official Drake gameday t-shirt.