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Dear Bears Fans:
 
Thank you for the passion, loyalty, and pride you continue to show for Missouri State Athletics. Your support fuels everything we do — from competition on the field to building opportunities for our student-athletes and strengthening our future. As we look ahead, I want to share three key areas that will shape our continued momentum together.
 
Competitive Success
Our teams continue to demonstrate what is possible when preparation meets belief. Across multiple sports, our programs are raising expectations and competing at a higher level than ever before. As we evaluate our first year in CUSA, one thing stands out: athleticism and physicality.  How we recruit and the type of athlete we recruit must suit our ability to succeed in CUSA moving forward.  While success is not defined solely by wins and championships, winning programs are imperative to make sure we give our fans the best experience.  
 
Now that our winter sports have concluded, I would like to review our successes. 
 
For our men's basketball program, we undoubtedly took a step in the right direction.  Improving by seven wins, upsetting the top-seeded team and making the semifinals of the CUSA Tournament are all good indicators. We had some close calls along the way too with nine losses by five points or less. CUSA is a fun and exciting brand of basketball, and I can't remember a closer conference landscape, top to bottom, in my 20+ years of working in this industry. 
 
As for the Lady Bears, we competed well in our new league while many of our players stepped into new roles.  Winning the CUSA Tournament championship was a huge opportunity for our program and we topped it off with another NCAA victory in Austin. 
 
For both programs, we can hit the portal and secure a championship roster for next year.  It is imperative for both basketball teams to have success in CUSA, and we have to generate revenue so we can invest in our recruiting.   That means attending games, buying season tickets and donating the Competitive Excellence Fund.  We will be doing some more interaction later this spring and summer as it relates to fan engagement, beginning with our local caravan stops in early May. Between now and then, commit now to your support in 2026.  Our basketball attendance must improve. 
 
Kudos to our staff for their improvements around our football and basketball games which has been a focus after feedback last year.  In fact, I had several visiting programs comment on our game-day experience being a much-needed addition to the league.
 
Our baseball program is off to a great start, currently in second place in CUSA and ranked No. 16 in the RPI. Your Bears are 17-1 at home and have a great shot at postseason play. They will need your support down the stretch with some key home games just around the corner!
 
Likewise, spring football has wrapped up under new head coach Casey Woods.  If you have had a chance to hear him speak, I am sure you are fired up! If not, I know he is going to be everywhere around this community, so it's only a matter of time before you see him talk about his program.  I am very excited about where this program can go!
 
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Fundraising and Investment in Excellence
The continued growth of Missouri State Athletics depends on strong philanthropic support. Donations directly impact recruiting, nutrition programs, and facility enhancements that benefit every student-athlete.
 
Your generosity allows us to recruit and retain outstanding talent while ensuring our athletes have the tools needed to compete and succeed academically. Every contribution — large or small — strengthens our foundation and accelerates our ability to achieve long-term goals. As we move forward, we invite you to remain active partners in this journey by supporting our competitive excellence funds and facility enhancements.
 
The McDonald Arena renovation project will continue to be a priority as we ensure we have championship facilities for a championship expectation.  Throughout the year, we will have more information regarding those improvements.
 
 
The Future of Merchandise and Brand Growth
One item I consistently hear about is the lack of quality merchandise available beyond our campus bookstore.  Our brand is a powerful symbol of community pride, and expanding our merchandise presence is an important part of growing Missouri State Athletics. Our new Mo State script is in the final stages of being trademarked, which is why it has been a little slower to be distributed beyond our campus.  New merchandise initiatives will focus on more designs, broader availability, and enhanced fan engagement opportunities that will allow supporters to showcase their Bears pride everywhere they go.  This spring we will be engaging companies to assist in creating a new online store as well as having more national brands. 
 
Purchasing official merchandise does more than represent your team. It directly supports our programs and helps expand national visibility. We are excited to introduce new apparel collaborations, game-day experiences, and retail opportunities that connect fans more closely than ever to our teams. 
 
BEARWEAR


Moving Forward Together
The future of Missouri State Athletics is bright because of you. Competitive success, strategic fundraising, and continued brand growth will allow us to elevate our programs while maintaining the values that define our university.
 
Thank you for believing in our student-athletes, supporting our mission, and proudly representing the Bears. We look forward to seeing you in the stands, wearing your colors, and continuing this journey together.
 
Go Bears!
 
Sincerely,
Patrick Ransdell
Director of Athletics

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