The Drake University rowing team had its 2020 season canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States. Drake was getting ready to depart for Florida in mid-March for the program's annual spring break training trip in the sunshine state when the season came to an abrupt and heartbreaking end.
The Bulldogs were only able to race twice in the fall, both times in Des Moines, as the team's other race scheduled in Minneapolis was canceled due to high water levels on the Mississippi River. Drake was able to compete in several exhibition races at the Head of Des Moines in late September.