Iona College dumps football

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y., announced Thursday its football program has been terminated "effective immediately."

The decision at the founding member of the MAAC Football League in 1993 was announced by director of athletics Patrick Lyons.

"It is with a heavy heart and careful deliberations that we have come to this extremely difficult decision," Lyons said in a statement. "The dissolution of the MAAC Football League after the 2007 season and the lack of equitable opponents in Division I FCS football was the main factor in the decision. This decision was not a result of the program's performance on the field. The young men that competed in the past and present represented Iona College with pride and dedication in a way that all can admire."

After becoming a Division I program in the 1993 season, the Gaels recorded a 59-94 overall record in 15 seasons.

They won the MAAC Football League Championships in 1993 and 2007.