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YANKTON, S.D. -- After a 35-year absence, college football is returning to Yankton.

Mount Marty College, a private Catholic university, announced Tuesday it will add football as a varsity sport for the first time in school history.

The Lancers, a member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference for other sports, hopes to play their first varsity GPAC game in the fall of 2022. Ten GPAC schools currently play football, including Morningside College and Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Northwestern College in Orange City and Dordt College in Sioux Center.

”This is a great move for the Lancers, not only will the addition of football bring us into alignment with the offerings at other GPAC schools, but the need for additional athletes will allow us to expand our recruitment footprint in the region.” MMC Athletic Director Chris Kassin said.

The first time Mount Marty hits the field will be the first college football game played in Yankton since Yankton College closed in 1984.

Mount Marty will play its home games at Crane-Youngworth Field, where the school already holds it soccer games.