Where is Drake? All of your Drake University questions answered after its NCAA tournament win

Okay, non-Iowans, we see you have a few questions after Drake won in the first round of the NCAA tournament against Wichita State on Thursday.

The main question you're asking is — Where is Drake?

We'd be insulted, but "Iowa Nice" means we're here to help. Here's a quick rundown on Drake University, which is located here in Iowa's capital city. 

►More:The first breakout star of March Madness? Drake's Joseph Yesufu

Where (and what) is Drake?

Drake University is a private college in Des Moines, Iowa.

It was founded in 1881 by George Carpenter, a pastor and union general in the Civil War. Today, it hosts 3,164 undergraduate students and 2,057 post-graduate students.

Notable alumni include Iowa's former Gov. Terry Branstad, who became ambassador to China under President Donald Trump, "Entourage" actor Jeremy Piven, and Kazuki Takahashi, the creator of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards.

Around Iowa (and the country), Drake is known for its prestigious law school, one of the oldest in the nation, as well as its respected pharmaceutical school.

Who is Griff?

Knowing Drake University for it's educational opportunities is one thing, but we know you're here for sports.

Drake is a D-1 school for basketball, in the Pioneer Football League for football and in the Missouri Valley Conference for most other sports.

Aside from Drake's basketball team winning in the NCAA tournament for the first time in 50 years, the school sets itself apart from other competitors in a different way — with a live mascot.

Meet Griff. (Or rather, Griff II.)

►More:Meet Griff II, the bulldog with a 'big personality' that will take over as Drake's live mascot

He's the university's live mascot, a real-life bulldog who attends Drake events, from games to graduations. He, and his predecessor, were named after John L. Griffith, a former Drake athletic director who organized the Drake Relays in 1910. 

Drake Relays and the Blue Oval

Speaking of Drake Relays, each year, the university hosts the famous track and field event that draws athletes from all over the world, including some Olympians. 

Track and field legends Michael Johnson, Carl Lewis and Lolo Jones have all competed there. 

The Drake Relays may have began in 1910 with fewer than 100 participants, but now it regularly shows off the sport's top athletes. After cancelling last year's event due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Relays are back on for 2021 from April 21 through April 24.

Presidential candidates at Drake

Drake University, as we established, is in Iowa, which means every presidential candidate spends a lot of time around the campus.

The university doesn't just host candidates during the Iowa caucus season for rallies and meet-and-greets, it was also home to one of the 2020 Democratic primary debates, hosted by CNN and the Des Moines Register.

Drake Men's Basketball Final Four Team in 1969

In recent years, Drake's athletics programs have not played a huge role in national sports. (Just don't let fans hear you saying that.)

But it hasn't always been this way. More than 50 years ago, Drake University clawed its way from the middle of the Missouri Valley Conference all the way to the Final Four.

►More:The David vs. Goliath story of the 1969 Drake Bulldogs and their run to NCAA's Final Four

Drake's appearance Thursday was the team's first tournament appearance since 2008, and fifth overall. 

Drake faces USC at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. 

Robin Opsahl covers trending news for the Register. Reach them at ropsahl@registermedia.com or 515-284-8051.