Clarksville, TN -- After leaving the league nine years ago for financial reasons, Austin Peay will return to the Ohio Valley Conference in 2007.

Austin Peay, which dropped from scholarship to non-scholarship football following the 1996 season, will leave the Pioneer Football League following the 2005 season. In 2006, the school will transition from non-scholarship to partial-scholarship status as a I-AA independent, then rejoin the OVC as a full-scholarship member in 2007.

"I am excited to see Austin Peay reinstate scholarship football and resume competition in the Ohio Valley Conference," said OVC commissioner Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher. "This speaks volumes to the institution's desire and that of its supporters to compete at the highest level of I-AA football. I eagerly anticipate the renewal of Austin Peay's football rivalries with the other Conference members."