Dear Bears Fans-
I hope your summer is off to a great start! The 2010-11 academic year was a successful one for Missouri State Athletics. We finished a strong second in the MVC All-Sports Trophy standings. Congratulations to all of our coaches and student-athletes who performed at such a high level!
Special recognition goes to those conference champions - women's swimming and men's basketball. It was the first-ever MVC regular-season title in men's basketball. I'd also like to congratulate Holly Hesse and the softball Bears for winning the MVC Tournament title and advancing to the NCAA Tournament!
During the summer months, please take time to renew your season tickets for 2011-12. It is imperative for the future of MSU Athletics that we get 100-percent renewals on season tickets and expand our fan base by encouraging friends or family members to buy season tickets as well. Support our fall programs with season tickets for Bears' football and volleyball, and continue that enthusiasm into the winter with another thrilling basketball season in store at JQH Arena. As always, call the MSU Athletics Box office at (417) 836-7678 for all your ticket needs.
Our men's basketball program is now under the leadership of new head coach Paul Lusk. Coach Lusk and his staff have been working very hard since their arrival in Springfield and will bring seven new faces to the defending MVC championship squad. The 2011-12 non-conference schedule will be finalized in a few weeks, but we have upgraded our slate dramatically with games against Oklahoma State, New Mexico, Nevada and an appearance in the Las Vegas Classic with Baylor, West Virginia and St. Mary's. To meet our guarantee in the Las Vegas Classic and reach the new scheduling mandate issued by the Valley and university presidents, we have moderately increased men's season tickets prices. But rest assured that our commitment to winning at the highest level remains unchanged, and the support of our fans is critical to keep our program in the national spotlight.
On the women's basketball side, Coach Milleson will have her Lady Bears ready to compete for the MVC title again this winter. In an attempt to make our product more affordable, create a better home-court advantage at JQH Arena and to help recruiting, we have made some fan-friendly price adjustments to Lady Bears' tickets. We hope you find our home schedule to be entertaining and challenging, and we encourage you to embrace our program like never before.
Many of you know that Friday, August 12 will mark the 25th anniversary of the Missouri State Athletics Auction. The event will move back to the Springfield Expo Center, and our theme Beach Bummin with the Bears will be more casual and fun for this milestone event. The auction is always a great time to see old friends and meet new ones, and we greatly appreciate everyone's support through the donation of items and attendance at the event. Be part of the fun and make this night a memorable one.
One of our main fundraising goals for the year is to improve the Achievement Center for Intercollegiate Athletics. This academic center is a vital part of our program and is where our students receive the support they need to perform well in the classroom. This area also coordinates our career development, compliance and overall student well-being. I can think of no area more deserving of Bears fans consideration than this project. Your support for this project will directly assist all of our 400 student-athletes. To donate to this project please contact Cheryl Burnett or Padraic McMeel at (417) 836-4523.
You will notice a change to our web site coming in August. I'm excited about what we have planned and I think you will be too. The changes will be more dynamic, user friendly, video oriented and informational. I appreciate Rick Kindhart and all his staff for the hard work on the MissouriStateBears.com project.
Finally, Missouri State has been selected to host two Missouri Valley Conference championship tournaments this year. Please come out and support our programs when MSU welcomes the MVC Womens Soccer Championship at Cooper Family Soccer Complex on Nov. 4-6, and the MVC Baseball Tournament at Hammons Field on May 22-26.
Your continued support and pride in Missouri State are appreciated. It's a great time to be a Bear!
Respectfully,
Kyle Moats
Director of Athletics
