A NCAA D-III college is canceling its 2019 football season after a five-year, 53-game losing streak

On October 26, 2013, Earlham College in Indiana defeated Anderson College in NCAA Division III football play, and to this day, that win stands as their most recent. Since then, they’ve accumulated a D-III record 53 straight losses, after last week’s season-ending 70-6 loss to Rose-Hulman.

It’s quite the effort in futility, and Earlham College is already throwing in the towel for next year. According to a release from the school, they’re suspending the program for the 2019 season, with the hope of returning a more competitive team in 2020.

Interim President Avis Stewart announced today that Earlham College will suspend its football program for the 2019 season and has authorized a review of the program.

Stewart says that the College’s plan is for the program to return in 2020 as long as three conditions are met: 1) determine the appropriate funding levels and resources to support football outside of the College’s current operating budget, 2) hire a highly qualified head coach for the 2020 football season, and 3) recruit an appropriate number of football student-athletes to field a competitive team.

“These three conditions must be met before we re-establish our program,” Stewart says. “Our alumni will be instrumental in helping us attain these goals. A quality football program with the appropriate numbers has the potential to enhance the student experience, increase enrollment, and impact the College’s budget in a positive way.”

It doesn’t appear to be a sure thing that the program will return in 2020, but with any luck, they’ll be able to turn their fortunes around. There’s always a bit of dark humor in seeing such streaks as 53 consecutive losses across five years, but at the same time, it also has a rallying effect, because at some point, enough is enough.

Just look at the Cleveland Browns! After years and years of losing, they’ve earned the nickname of “America’s Team,” as everyone just wants to see these guys get a win. And, when they finally got one this season, it might as well have been a Super Bowl.

h/t FOX News