SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- At the stroke of midnight on July 1, 2025 Missouri State officially ushered in its new era of intercollegiate athletics as an official member of Conference USA.

The transition also makes Missouri State a member of the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) for the first time as the Bears join Fellow CUSA newcomer Delaware to expand the number of top-tier college football programs to 136 this fall.

"It's a great day to a Bear!," said Missouri State Director of Athletics Patrick Ransdell. "Missouri State is thrilled the day has finally arrived for us to be official members of Conference USA. We look forward to competing in new markets, growing our brand and galvanizing our fan base. Likewise, today is a big day for Springfield and the greater Ozarks region. This move gives us a chance to showcase our great city to the nation and achieve new heights together!"  

"Today marks an exciting new chapter for us as we look forward to the energy and competitive spirit that Delaware and Missouri State will add to the league," CUSA Commissioner Judy MacLeod said. "Both institutions bring a strong tradition of academic and athletic excellence, and their commitment to innovation and growth aligns perfectly with our vision for the future."

Missouri State officially accepted an invitation to join Conference USA on May 10, 2024 during a news conference at Great Southern Bank Arena. Founded in 1995 and based in Dallas, CUSA is now home to 12 schools: Delaware, FIU, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, Missouri State, New Mexico State, Sam Houston, UTEP, and WKU.

Missouri State sports of football, baseball, men's and women's basketball, women's cross country, men's and women's golf, women's soccer, softball, women's tennis, women's track and field and volleyball will have full membership in CUSA. Beach volleyball, which has been an affiliate member of CUSA the past two years, will also transition to full league membership this year. 

Missouri State's other five sports will have affiliate memberships in other leagues, including: men's soccer (American Athletic Conference), men's and women's swimming & diving (Missouri Valley), acrobatics & tumbling (Independent) and STUNT (Mid-America West Conference).


JULY 1 "CUSA DAY" LOCAL SPECIALS: 
• Mercy is giving Future Bear "onesies" to every baby born July 1. 
• Big Shots Golf has a $1 MoState beer Special
• IHOP has a 20 percent off coupon to use on the athletics website
• Dickerson Park Zoo will be offering $2 off admission for patrons wearing BearWear
• Orange Leaf locations will have buy one, get one free college night every Tuesday


PARTY IN CUSA
The official Missouri State campus celebration will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 26 in the heart of the Missouri State campus with our "Party In the CUSA" event. The party is free and open to the public, starting at 6 p.m. in the traditional "BearFest Village" part of campus, just north of the stadium, and adjacent to McDonald Arena and the Trottier Plaza. The evening will include music, fun, games, food and beverages, in addition to a free movie screening on the field at Plaster Stadium. Fans can also interact with coaches, players and teams throughout the night.


ABOUT CONFERENCE USA
Conference USA is an NCAA Division I conference championing success in college athletics through dedicated leadership, dynamic partnership, and diverse membership. Founded in 1995 and based in Dallas, CUSA is home to 12 schools: Delaware, FIU, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, Missouri State, New Mexico State, Sam Houston, UTEP, and WKU.


MISSOURI STATE HISTORY OF ATHLETIC AFFILIATION
• 1905 - Missouri State founded as Missouri State Normal School, Fourth District
• 1908 - MSU fields first intercollegiate teams in football and men's basketball
• 1912 - Missouri State joins with all state schools in Missouri to form statewide athletic conference now known as the "old MIAA"
• 1924 - MSU joins in formation of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA)
• 1937 - Missouri State joins National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball (NAIB), the forerunner of the NAIA
• 1956 - MoState leaves NAIA and joins National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), college division
• 1971 - Missouri State joins Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW)
• 1981 - MSU leaves MIAA and becomes charter member of Mid-Continent Conference for all men's sports, begins transition to Division I
• 1982 - MoState joins in formation of Association of Mid-Continent Universities (AMCU) for all men's sports except football
• 1982 - Missouri State officially joins the NCAA Division I ranks (I-AA in football)
• 1982 - MSU joins in formation of Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference for all women's sports
• 1985 - Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference adds football as Mid-Continent Conference (football league) dissolves
• 1990 - MSU leaves AMCU and is voted into Missouri Valley Conference for seven men's sports
• 1992 - Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference (women's sports) merges with The Missouri Valley Conference
• 2005 - Southwest Missouri State University renamed Missouri State University
• 2008 - Gateway Conference (football) renamed Missouri Valley Football Conference; NCAA I-AA becomes NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS)
• 2024 - Missouri State accepts invitation to join Conference USA (July 1, 2025)