Missouri State Launches Competitive Excellence Fund to Support Retention and Recruitment
July 16, 2025 | General
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missouri State University Director of Athletics Patrick Ransdell has announced the university's comprehensive plan to address the NCAA's newly approved revenue-sharing model, adopted as part of the final approval of the House Settlement. As a part of this initiative, Missouri State is launching the Competitive Excellence Fund (CEF) which will help bring the future of collegiate athletics to the university's doorstep, and enhance the ability to recruit, retain, and develop elite student-athletes.
The new CEF will be integrated into the umbrella of the Bears Fund, which serves as the athletics fundraising arm of the Missouri State Foundation and assists MSU's 19 intercollegiate teams by raising money for scholarships, recruiting, facilities, and other program needs. The CEF will introduce new donor-driven revenue streams to strengthen Missouri State's ability to invest in student-athletes and offer a championship-caliber experience on the field, in the classroom and beyond.
"We are taking strategic action to demonstrate our commitment to competitive excellence at Missouri State University," said Ransdell. "As we transition to Conference USA, we are ready to make impactful investments in the student-athlete experience, compete at the highest levels, and provide our donors with flexibility and a valued role in shaping our future. The future success of our athletic programs will be directly connected to the success of the Competitive Excellence Fund."
Beginning immediately, donors will be able to make tax-deductible contributions to the Competitive Excellence Fund. Gifts to the CEF are designated by sport, empowering donors to support the programs they're most passionate about. These funds will directly enhance each program's ability to compete for high-caliber recruits and remain agile in a rapidly-evolving collegiate landscape.
Missouri State Vice President for University Advancement Brent Dunn echoed Ransdell's enthusiasm about the bright future of MSU Athletics due to the innovative CEF program.
"Missouri State is making bold and significant strides in revenue sharing efforts with the launch of the Competitive Excellence Fund." said Dunn. "As college athletics begins a new era of student-athlete compensation, Missouri State is taking strategic steps to remain competitive on the field and successful in the classroom, while attracting top talent and keep them wearing maroon and white. Our move to Conference USA positions us as a destination not only for elite student-athletes, but also for students from across the country seeking a dynamic and nationally recognizable brand and university experience."
ALSTON FUNDS
As a part of this comprehensive plan, Missouri State is now able to provide academic-based financial awards to student-athletes as a result of the 2020 Alston vs. NCAA ruling. Alston Funds help Missouri State remain competitive with peer institutions by providing academic performance awards to student-athletes. These tax-deductible gifts directly support high-achieving student-athletes and recognize excellence in both academics and athletics. Alston Funds Pledge Form
NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS
The MoState Marketplace NIL Exchange, a partnership with INFLCR, is a student-athlete portal custom-designed for businesses and individuals to connect with student-athletes. The INFLCR portal allows businesses to initiate conversations with student-athletes related to endorsement deals and NIL opportunities. Payments made to student-athletes through NIL deals are considered business transactions – not charitable gifts – and therefore are not tax-deductible.
As of July 1, 2025, all Division I student-athletes must report non-institutional NIL deals or payments of $600 or more to NIL Go – the national reporting platform designated to oversee NIL activity, ensuring each agreement serves a valid business purpose and meets fair market value standards.
Once the deal is completed, the MoState Marketplace will produce a direct payment to the student-athlete, generate compliance documentation and produce necessary tax forms for the student-athlete.
FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION
In accordance with the House Settlement requirements from the NCAA, Missouri State will also provide Financial Literacy Education to its student-athletes through a variety of courses and programs. This additional education will fall under the Department of Student-Athlete Development's annual program offerings.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information on how to donate to the Competitive Excellence Fund or Alston Funds, please contact the Bears Fund. Also, please refer to the Funding Our Future information sheet for more details.
ABOUT THE HOUSE SETTLEMENT
As a result of the recently-announced Grant House Settlement, universities are now allowed to directly share revenue with student-athletes, in addition to providing existing benefits such as scholarships, housing and meals. As of July 1, 2025, each NCAA school is now able to make payments to athletes. House, a former Arizona State swimmer, sued the NCAA and its five largest conferences to end the prohibition of schools cutting checks directly to athletes. Now, each school is be able to make payments to athletes for use of their name, image and likeness (NIL) and distribute revenue shares. There are nearly 200,000 athletes and more than 350 schools in Division I.
