Welcome, Conference USA fans, to the Springfield News-Leader and your one-stop guide as you get to know Missouri State University athletics and Springfield, Missouri, with the Bears set to join the league as a full member for the 2025-26 athletics season.
We’ll get to know each other plenty over the next year or so before the Bears play their first game in Miami or Delaware or wherever. We wanted to give you a quick rundown on some Missouri State history, what’s currently going on in its athletics program and some fun facts and food recommendations for when you make your way here.
Yes, Missouri State football isn’t historically good. But Bobby Petrino showed everyone that it can be.
We know you Googled “Missouri State football” upon its addition to CUSA and wondered why the league would add an FCS program with minimal success. Well, it’s money because it’s always money. The budgets lined up with others in the league and here we are.
That’s not to say Missouri State doesn’t have potential if things are done right. The school invested in hiring Bobby Petrino as head coach in 2020 and it saw what could be done with a successful football program after he led the Bears to two postseason appearances in three years. Without Petrino, there’s a real possibility Missouri State wouldn’t be in the position it is today.
More: How Missouri State football coach Ryan Beard is approaching Conference USA, FBS jump
Missouri State is coached by Ryan Beard, the son-in-law of Petrino and the defensive coordinator for his teams. He has Group of 5 experience having attended Western Kentucky, coaching under Petrino at WKU and then spending time as a position coach at Central Michigan.
Facilities need upgraded and Conference USA expects Missouri State to get those done. The Bears might not be a successful FCS-to-FBS program like James Madison or Jacksonville State team making bowl games out the gate, but they have some foundations set that weren’t there during a pretty bad past.
Missouri State has always considered itself a basketball school
Southwest Missouri loves its basketball. The high school basketball is great. The women’s basketball program has been great. The men’s basketball program… has seen better days.
While a move to Conference USA is football-focused, most of the fanbase will have its heart set on what the men’s basketball program will look like moving forward. The team hasn’t won a Missouri Valley Conference regular season title since 2011 and hasn’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 1999.
More: Q&A with Conference USA commissioner Judy MacLeod: Why did CUSA add Missouri State?
Missouri State fired its men’s coach at the end of the 2023-24 season and brought back Cuonzo Martin, who led MSU to its regular season title in 2011. He made stops as head coach at Tennessee, California and Missouri before returning to Springfield.
The administration appears to be invested in trying to make it work. They’ve spent a lot of money to bring Martin back with one of the larger deals among CUSA head coaches.
When you start interacting with the fanbase more, this is where Bears fans will lose their marbles over a two-point loss in the middle of December.
Jackie Stiles is the greatest women’s basketball player of all time and Springfield won’t hear otherwise
Caitlin Clark? Psh. Jackie Stiles is the real GOAT around here.
Stiles used to hold the all-time women’s basketball scoring record until Kelsey Plum broke the record a few years back. She’s celebrated as the greatest athlete in the school’s history and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
Women’s basketball is traditionally a mid-major power. It’s been to the Final Four twice (1992, 2001) and has 17 total NCAA Tournament appearances. Recent successes include a pair of Sweet 16 appearances in 2019 and 2021.
Missouri State women’s basketball should compete for a Conference USA title immediately. It appears to be heading in a positive direction under head coach Beth Cunningham.
More: Q&A with Conference USA commissioner Judy MacLeod: Why did CUSA add Missouri State?
Missouri State baseball will enter a new era with its third-ever head coach
MSU has had two baseball coaches since its first season in 1964. Legendary head coach Keith Guttin is retiring at the end of the 2024 season. All signs point to former player and current associate head coach Joey Hawkins getting promoted.
Missouri State has a proud baseball history, including a 2003 appearance in the College World Series. It’s been to an NCAA Super Regional twice over the last decade. It will also have one of the best ballparks in Conference USA as it shares a Double-A ballpark with the St. Louis Cardinal affiliate.
More: Missouri State says it’s ‘time to think big and be bold’ with leap to Conference USA
Don’t refer to the school as ‘Mizzou State’ or ‘Mizz State’
Missouri State fans will go Liam Neeson on you if you do this. Don’t do it.
What to know about other Missouri State sports
Men’s soccer has become a respected program on the national stage. It’s consistently in the national rankings and making NCAA Tournaments.
Women’s soccer took a big step forward this past season and should continue to improve heading into the third year of a head coach.
Beach volleyball competed in Conference USA last season and reached the third round of the league tournament.
Men’s and women’s swimming and diving have been the most consistent championship winners.
Softball will have a second-year head coach by the time it joins CUSA.
Volleyball has seen better years but took a big step forward in 2023 by finishing .500 when it went 9-21 the year before.
More: Missouri State to Conference USA: Here’s what it means as the Bears move to FBS
Random Missouri State University facts
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Missouri State will have a new president come July 1 in Dr. Richard “Biff” Williams
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Actor John Goodman is probably the most famous graduate.
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David Glass, the former Wal-Mart CEO and Kansas City Royals owner, is an alum
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Ryan Howard, the former NL MVP for the Philadelphia Phillies, played here
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Horton Smith, the first Masters winner, attended MSU
Random Springfield, Missouri, facts
Where Wyatt Wheeler suggests you should eat when you visit Springfield
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Burgers – Black Sheep
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BBQ – Gettin’ Basted (Nixa or Branson)
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Tacos – I Love Tacos Taqueria
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Fine dining – Flame Steakhouse
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Breakfast – Civil Kitchen
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Sushi – Haruno Sushi Bar & Grill
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Tourist eating – Lambert’s Throwed Rolls (Ozark)
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Treat – Andy’s Frozen Custard
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri State to Conference USA: A quick guide for CUSA fans on MSU
