Pacific (Oregon) plans to reinstate football beginning in 2010, following university trustees’ approval of the program.

The school, which currently sponsors 20 varsity sports programs, has been studying the addition of a football program for the past four years. It dropped the program in 1991, 99 years after the school’s first football contest.

 The 2010 start is contingent on raising necessary start-up expenses.

“Athletics is a key component for the continued growth of the university and, in particular, its undergraduate programs,” said Pacific President Phil Creighton. “Our football program will aid our recruitment efforts significantly, helping Pacific to continue to grow into one of the finest health professions and liberal arts institutions in the West.”

Planning for the program included discussions involving faculty, student and alumni groups.

“I am confident that the university will be rewarded with a football program that will attract top-quality student-athletes who will be successful in the classroom and on the field,” said Ken Schumann, the school’s director of athletics. “The program also will add a tremendous amount of spirit and excitement to campus life. I am grateful to the (Pacific Board of Trustees) in their confidence that we can build a competitive, successful Division III program.”

Pacific will become the seventh of eight multisport members of the Northwest Conference to sponsor football as a varsity sport, joining Linfield, Lewis and Clark, Pacific Lutheran, Puget Sound, Willamette, and Whitworth. Menlo also competes in the league as a football-only member.