Conference USA fans, welcome to the Springfield News Reader and one-stop guide to learning about Missouri State University athletics and Springfield, Missouri. The Bears plan for him to join the league as a full member of the athletics department in 2025-26. season.
They will likely spend the next year or so getting to know each other before the Bears play their first games in places like Miami and Delaware. We wanted to give you a quick overview of Missouri’s history, what’s currently going on in our athletic programs, and some fun facts and food recommendations to help you when coming to Missouri.
Yes, Missouri State football has not been historically good. But Bobby Petrino showed everyone it was possible.
We know you Googled “Missouri State football” when you added it to CUSA and wondered why the league adds FCS programs with little success. Well, it’s always money, so money. Our budget is in line with other teams in the league and here we are.
That’s not to say Missouri doesn’t have potential if things are done right. The school invested in hiring Bobby Petrino as head coach in 2020 to see what a successful football program could do after he led the Bears to two postseason appearances in three years. There’s a real chance that without Petrino, Missouri State wouldn’t be where it is today.
more:How Missouri State football coach Ryan Beard will approach Conference USA, FBS Jump
Missouri State is coached by Ryan Beard, Petrino’s son-in-law and his team’s defensive coordinator. He joins Western Kentucky with Group 5 experience, having coached under Petrino at WKU and then spent time as a position coach at Central Michigan University.
The facilities need upgrades, and Conference USA expects Missouri to complete them. The Bears may not be the most successful FCS-to-FBS programs like James Madison and Jacksonville State teams making bowl games in the first place, but they have a pretty bad past. Some of the foundations that weren’t there are in place.
Missouri State has always considered itself a basketball school.
Southwest Missouri loves basketball. High school basketball is great. The women’s basketball program has been great. The men’s basketball program has… seen better days.
While the move to Conference USA is focused on football, most of the fan base will be interested in what the future holds for the men’s basketball program. The team hasn’t won a Missouri Valley Conference regular season title since 2011 and hasn’t appeared in the NCAA Tournament since 1999.
more:Q&A with Conference USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod: Why did CUSA add Missouri?
Missouri State fired its men’s coach at the end of the 2023-24 season and brought back Cuonzo Martin, who led MSU to a regular-season championship in 2011. He returned to Springfield after head coaching stints at Tennessee, California and Missouri.
The government seems committed to making it work. They spent a lot of money to bring back Martin in one of the biggest contracts among CUSA head coaches.
Once you start interacting with the fan base, Bears fans lose their marbles by two points in mid-December.
Jackie Stiles is the greatest women’s basketball player of all time and Springfield won’t hear anything else.
Caitlin Clark? teacher. Jackie Stiles is a real goat around here.
Stiles held the all-time scoring record in women’s basketball until Kelsey Plum broke the record a few years ago. She’s been hailed as the greatest athlete in school history, and that’s not likely to change anytime soon.
Women’s basketball has traditionally been a middle power. They have reached the Final Four twice (1992 and 2001) and have appeared in the NCAA Tournament a total of 17 times. Recent successes include appearances in the Sweet 16 in 2019 and her 2021.
Missouri State women’s basketball should immediately compete for the Conference USA title. Things seem to be trending in the right direction under head coach Beth Cunningham.
more:Q&A with Conference USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod: Why did CUSA add Missouri?
Missouri State baseball enters a new era with third head coach in history
MSU has had two baseball coaches since its first season in 1964. His legendary head coach Keith Gattin will retire at the end of his 2024 season. All signs are that former player and current associate head coach Joey Hawkins will be promoted.
Missouri State University has a proud baseball history, including an appearance in the College World Series in 2003. He has appeared in two NCAA Super Regionals in the past 10 years. They also share the Double-A stadium of the St. Louis Cardinal, making it one of the best stadiums in Conference USA.
more:Missouri State says it’s time to think big and be bold as it makes the jump to Conference USA
Please do not refer to the school as “Mizzou State” or “Miz State.”
If Missouri State fans did something like this, Liam Neeson would criticize them. stop it.
What you need to know about other sports in Missouri
Men’s soccer has become a respected program on the national stage.. They are consistently ranked nationally and have played in the NCAA Tournament.
Women’s soccer took great strides last season He should continue to grow as he heads into his third year as head coach.
Beach volleyball participated in Conference USA last season They advanced to the third round of the league tournament.
Men’s swimming and diving It continues to win championships most consistently.
Softball will have a second-year head coach. By the time I joined CUSA.
Volleyball has had a strong year. However, although he had 9 wins and 21 losses the previous year, he showed great progress by hitting .500 in 2023.
more:Missouri to USA Conference: What it means for Bears to move to FBS
Random facts about Missouri State University
- Missouri will have a new president on July 1st, Dr. Richard “Biff” Williams.
- Actor John Goodman is perhaps the most famous alumnus.
- Former Walmart CEO and Kansas City Royals owner David Glass is also an alumnus.
- Former National League MVP Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies also played here.
- First-time Masters winner Horton Smith attends MSU
Random Facts about Springfield, Missouri
Where Wyatt Wheeler suggests you should eat when visiting Springfield
- hamburger – black sheep
- barbecue – Gettin’ Busted (Nixa or Branson)
- Cashew nut chicken – rickshaw
- Taco – I love tacos and taquerias
- Fine cuisine – frame steak house
- breakfast – civil kitchen
- sushi – Haruno Sushi Bar & Grill
- Tourist meals – Lambert’s Thrown Roll (Ozark)
- handle – Andy’s Frozen Custard
