December 2016
 
Dear Bears Fans:
 
The fall season has come to a conclusion, and we are in the midst of the winter sports season.
 
Congratulations to Coach Melissa Stokes and the MSU volleyball team for winning the regular-season MVC championship and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. Coach Stokes received the conference and regional coach of the year, while junior Lily Johnson garnered the MVC Player of the Year Award.  Lily also earned AVCA All-America honors for the third time.  We have so many talented players returning next year, and we're anticipating another great run in 2017!
 
The football Bears made significant improvement from last year.  Dylan Cole had another monster year and racked up numerous All-America honors and was the nation's leading tackler at the FCS level.  He is also a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award as the top Defensive Player of the Year in the nation, which will be awarded Jan. 6 in Frisco in conjunction with the national championship game.
 
The Bears will open the 2017 football campaign at Mizzou on Sept 2, and with just eight graduates, we're expecting more strides from Stec's team in the fall.  Speaking of football, I'm fortunate enough to be on the NCAA's FCS Committee which selects the field of 24 to the playoffs.  This has required a lot of time and travel but has been very rewarding.  FCS football is excellent football. I've had a chance to see some really good teams in my role as NCAA site representative.
 
Another highlight of the fall season was getting to host the MSHSAA Show-Me Bowl at Plaster Stadium for the first time in more than 20 years.  It was great to have the participating teams and their fans on campus and in Springfield.  Congratulations to all the participants and all the state champions who came through our gates.
 
Missouri State was also the proud host of the 2016 MVC Men's Soccer Championship at Allison South Stadium.  Although we didn't win, our boys made a memorable run to the championship game and made our University and community proud. Thanks to all those who worked and attended the event.
 
The Lady Bears have been road warriors thus far.  Injuries have slowed down Coach Kellie Harper's team, but returning home to the Q has already paid dividends with a big win over previously-unbeaten Arkansas.  Beginning Dec. 30, the Lady Bears begin a brutal part of their conference schedule with UNI (Dec. 30), Drake (Jan. 1) and Wichita State (Jan. 6), all at home. If you need a break from all the holiday festivities, come out to the JQH and see some great Valley women's basketball.
 
Men's basketball is also off to a great start.  We have some solid new additions to our team to go along with our solid crop of returnees.  Our Bears are vastly improved and will continue to get better as the season progresses.  It's important that we support the team if we want to be a successful program.  Our fans make a huge difference when they are engaged and creating a loud and proud environment.  We need your support if we are going to continue to improve and get make our program a Valley frontrunner again.
 
As you may have recently noticed, we are able to sell beer and wine at our athletic events, specifically at JQH, beginning immediately.  This will serve two purposes: to increase revenue and improve the game-day experience for those who wish to take part.  I hope you will find this new amenity beneficial.
 
We are also replacing our historic yellow and orange seats in Hammons Student Center and are selling these as keepsakes to our fans. If you're interested in purchasing seat backs from Hammons, please contact the Bears Fund at (417) 836-4143.
 
Spring sports will be here soon enough, so make plans now to get your baseball season tickets and be part of more MVC Championship events in Springfield with the Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Allison South Stadium (May 11-14) and the MVC Baseball Championship at Hammons Field (May 24-27).
 
Leeann and I wish you a safe and blessed Holiday Season.
 
Go Bears!
 
Kyle Moats