SPRINGFIELD Mo. – Mercy Springfield Communities and Missouri State University continue to grow their long-standing partnership and celebrate Mercy's commitment to provide medical support and care to student-athletes who participate in MSU's intercollegiate athletics programs. 

The partnership is particularly significant this year with MSU's transition to Conference USA and its first season of FBS football -— the highest football tier within NCAA Division I.

"For us to grow our relationship with Mercy and expand our level of commitment to each other in a new era of Bears Athletics is a victory for our student-athletes," said MSU Director of Athletics Patrick Ransdell. "Mercy's Sports Medicine partnership and the expanded level of commitment from our team of team physicians make this a partnership that would make any athletic program envious. It not only ensures the safety and quick return to play for our 500 student-athletes, but it demonstrates our commitment to the student-athlete experience on and off the field."

As part of its current multi-year agreement, Mercy Sports Medicine physicians will attend all home and away games for football, attend all men's and women's basketball home games, accompany the basketball teams to all postseason events, and cover all MSU hosted postseason championships for its 19 intercollegiate sports. MSU team physicians provide 24/7 access to the MSU student-athletes, while providing oversight to MSU's 16 licensed athletic trainers. The MSU's student-athletes will also have immediate access to care at Mercy facilities six days a week, including walk-in access to Mercy Orthopedic Hospital and its new Whiteside Clinic.

"Being able to provide great care to these athletes is a huge honor for us," said Rick Seagrave III, an orthopedic specialist/surgeon at Mercy Springfield and medical director of Mercy Sports Medicine. "Not only is our team well-equipped to handle the needs of these athletes, but we bring 21 specialized surgeons to the table. That means we're able to address complicated orthopedic injuries that would often require a patient to leave town to receive care. Thanks to our team, we can provide that care right here in the Ozarks."

MSU and Mercy Springfield have teamed up to support student-athletes for nearly four decades. Seagrave's father, Dr. Richard Seagrave II, was part of the original agreement. Seagrave III has countless memories of spending childhood weekends on the sidelines at MSU football games with his dad. 

"I grew up seeing the impact sports medicine physicians have on athletes' health and long-term performance," he said. "As soon as I knew I wanted to be a doctor myself, I knew I wanted to continue my dad's legacy and make Mercy's Sports Medicine program even stronger."

Missouri State's talented group of team physicians also includes head team physician Royce Moore, MD; Landon Hough, MD;  Dan O'Loughlin, DO; and Vic Wilson, MD (surgeon). 

"We're really proud of our athletic programs, and the great support of our community at our events," said Ransdell. "The Mercy partnership brings immediate credibility to our quality of health care and preventative needs."