Missouri State Announces 2026-27 Hall of Fame Class
July 30, 2026 | General
SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State will induct six former athletes and a long-time university fundraiser as part of its 2026-27 Athletics Hall of Fame induction class. This year's Hall of Fame ceremonies will take place the weekend of September 18-19 on the Springfield campus.
Brent Dunn, who has spent more than 40 years serving Missouri State in various fundraising roles, is the recipient of this year's Don Payton Award. Dunn spent two decades overseeing the Bears Fund and has served since 2007 as CEO of the Missouri State Foundation and Vice President for University Advancement.
The rest of the 2026-27 Hall of Fame class includes the following standout athletes: tennis standout Ellie Burger (Chesterfield, Mo.); football legends Dylan Cole (Rogersville, Mo.) and Cody Kirby (Rogers, Ark.); Olympic swimmer Uvis Kalnins (Valmiera, Latvia); outstanding golfer Missy Linnens Riesgo (Wichita, Kan.); and All-America sprinter Madison Meredith (Detroit, Mich.).
The official induction of this year's class will take place on Friday, Sept. 18 with a 6:00 p.m. ceremony and dinner at The Old Glass Place (521 E. St. Louis St.) in downtown Springfield. Tickets for the induction ceremony are $25 apiece and may be purchased through the Bears Fund by phone (417) 836-5427 or email to paigegrisham@missouristate.edu.
The 51st Missouri State Athletics Hall of Fame class will also be honored at halftime of the Bears football game vs. Marshall on Saturday, Sept. 19. Tickets for the 5:30 p.m. game are available at MissouriStateBears.com/tickets or by calling (417) 836-7678 during regular box office hours.
The 2026-27 induction class brings the total membership of the Missouri State Athletics Hall of Fame to 445 student-athletes, coaches, administrators, media, teams and support personnel.
Profiles on the 2026-27 MSU Athletics Hall of Fame induction class student-athletes (alphabetically) are as follows:
Ellie Burger (Women's Tennis, 2017-21, Chesterfield, Mo.)
Burger ranks third all-time on Missouri State's singles winning percentage list with a 70.5 career ledger. She became just the 13th player in program history to win a Missouri Valley singles title when she claimed the No. 3 singles crown in 2019. In dual meets, she compiled a 43-18 career singles record and was a three-time All-MVC selection (2018, 2019 and 2021). She also led the Bears to an MVC team title and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2018, clinching the championship match against UNI at the No. 5 position. Burger was also a two-time MVC Scholar Athlete selection (2020 and 2021) and served as Missouri State's representative on the MVC SAAC Committee and the MVC Regulatory Matters Committee. After her playing career, she spent two seasons as the Bears head coach (2022-24), compiling 20 dual victories in that span.
Dylan Cole (Football, 2013-16, Rogersville, Mo.)
A consensus All-America linebacker in 2016, Cole was also a three-time All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection for coaches Terry Allen and Dave Steckel. He racked up 457 career tackles, which ranks No. 3 in program history and accumulated the club's most stops since 2001. His 152 total tackles in 2015 ranks No. 7 on MSU season list, while his 142 as a senior ranks No. 10 and led the nation with 12.9 tackles per game. He was a member of the MVFC All-Newcomer Team in 2013 and earned Academic All-MVFC honors three times. After his collegiate career, he played in the 2016 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and signed an undrafted free agent agreement with the Houston Texans. Cole went on to a seven-year NFL career, playing in 77 games with the Texans, Titans and Bears.
Brent Dunn (Don Payton Award, Springfield, Mo.)
Dunn has worked for Missouri State for more than 40 years, including since 2007 as CEO of the Missouri State Foundation and Vice President for University Advancement. In leading the university's fundraising and alumni engagement efforts, Dunn helped to achieve record levels of private support, including nearly $50 million raised in outright gifts, planned giving and pledges for fiscal year 2026.
He has overseen two major capital campaigns, totaling $441 million, and played a key role in plotting the strategic direction for the foundation and aligning it with Missouri State's 2025-30 strategic plan.
In 2009, Dunn received the Outstanding Fundraising Executive of the Year award from the Ozarks Chapter of the National Association of Fundraising Executives. The foundation has won multiple awards for excellence in fundraising from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. He was also the 2023 recipient of the ACE Award by the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, which is bestowed on those who champion sports-related charity work in Missouri.
A 1985 graduate of Missouri State, Dunn rose from radio news/sports reporting in his hometown of Springfield to news director at KWTO AM & FM. Later, his ability to build relationships enhanced the lives of student-athletes at Missouri State in his role as director of athletics development and assistant AD for development under former AD Bill Rowe. Athletic sponsorships, lead gift contributions and athletic facility upgrades were Dunn's calling card from the mid 1990's through the late 2000's.
Uvis Kalnins (Men's Swimming & Diving, 2012-16, Valmiera, Latvia)
A two-time Olympian (2012 London and 2016 Rio) and two-time NCAA qualifier for coach Dave Collins, Kalnins broke four Missouri State records during his tenure. He set program high-water marks in the 100 and 200 freestyle, as well as the 200 and 400 individual medley events. He was a four-time All-MAC honoree and was named MAC Outstanding Senior of the Year in 2016 as well as Most Outstanding Swimmer of the Year in 2014. The Latvian sensation earned MAC Swimmer of the Week honors five times during his tenure and was a three-time individual MAC champion in both the 200 IM and 400 IM events.
Cody Kirby (Football, 2007-10, Rogers, Ark.)
A four-year starter at quarterback for coach Terry Allen, Kirby was a three-time All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection and 2007 MVFC Freshman of the Year. He was also named to the Valley All-Newcomer Team in 2007. He still holds Missouri State's career records for passing yards (8,183), completions (690), attempts (1,172), starts (41) and consecutive games with a pass completion (44) and now ranks No. 2 all-time in touchdown passes (47). He passed for 200 yards or more 17 times during his tenure and was a three-time team captain. Kirby also set a club record for pass completions in a game with 29 against South Dakota State in 2009, a mark that has not been surpassed in 15 years.
Missy Linnens Riesgo (Women's Golf, 2004-08, Wichita, Kan.)
Linnens was named Missouri Valley Conference Golfer of the Year in 2007-08 and was a three-time All-MVC honoree (2006, 2007 and 2008) under coach Kevin Kane. During her sophomore season, she was tri-medalist at the 2006 MVC Championship and is one of just five Missouri State players to ever win the Valley individual title. She also was one of just two Bears (and 10 players overall) named to the MVC 25-Year Anniversary Team in 2018. Linnens was a seven-time MVC Player of the Week and three-time MVC Scholar-Athlete Team selection. Likewise, she set the program record for 54 holes as a senior in 2008 (72-72-73--217) and was a two-time runner-up at the Kansas Amateur Championship in the summers of 2005 and 2007.
Madison Meredith (Women's Track & Field, 2020-22, Detroit, Mich.)
The top 60-meter sprinter in school history, Meredith earned second-team All-America honors for her indoor performance at the 2022 NCAA nationals, finishing 15th (7.31) nationally in that event. She broke Missouri State's school record in the 60-meter dash three times as a senior with a top effort of 7.23 that still stands and snapped the MVC record en route to a Missouri Valley Conference individual title. The three-time All-MVC performer claimed indoor accolades in 2021 and 2022 (earning Most Valuable Athlete at both) and outdoor honors in 2021. She was also an NCAA outdoor regional qualifier in three events in 2021 (100m dash, 200m dash and 4x100 relay) after winning MVC titles in all three. The transfer from Western Michigan won MVC indoor titles in the 60m dash and 200m dash at the 2021 Missouri Valley Indoor meet.
Brent Dunn, who has spent more than 40 years serving Missouri State in various fundraising roles, is the recipient of this year's Don Payton Award. Dunn spent two decades overseeing the Bears Fund and has served since 2007 as CEO of the Missouri State Foundation and Vice President for University Advancement.
The rest of the 2026-27 Hall of Fame class includes the following standout athletes: tennis standout Ellie Burger (Chesterfield, Mo.); football legends Dylan Cole (Rogersville, Mo.) and Cody Kirby (Rogers, Ark.); Olympic swimmer Uvis Kalnins (Valmiera, Latvia); outstanding golfer Missy Linnens Riesgo (Wichita, Kan.); and All-America sprinter Madison Meredith (Detroit, Mich.).
The official induction of this year's class will take place on Friday, Sept. 18 with a 6:00 p.m. ceremony and dinner at The Old Glass Place (521 E. St. Louis St.) in downtown Springfield. Tickets for the induction ceremony are $25 apiece and may be purchased through the Bears Fund by phone (417) 836-5427 or email to paigegrisham@missouristate.edu.
The 51st Missouri State Athletics Hall of Fame class will also be honored at halftime of the Bears football game vs. Marshall on Saturday, Sept. 19. Tickets for the 5:30 p.m. game are available at MissouriStateBears.com/tickets or by calling (417) 836-7678 during regular box office hours.
The 2026-27 induction class brings the total membership of the Missouri State Athletics Hall of Fame to 445 student-athletes, coaches, administrators, media, teams and support personnel.
Profiles on the 2026-27 MSU Athletics Hall of Fame induction class student-athletes (alphabetically) are as follows:
Ellie Burger (Women's Tennis, 2017-21, Chesterfield, Mo.)
Burger ranks third all-time on Missouri State's singles winning percentage list with a 70.5 career ledger. She became just the 13th player in program history to win a Missouri Valley singles title when she claimed the No. 3 singles crown in 2019. In dual meets, she compiled a 43-18 career singles record and was a three-time All-MVC selection (2018, 2019 and 2021). She also led the Bears to an MVC team title and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2018, clinching the championship match against UNI at the No. 5 position. Burger was also a two-time MVC Scholar Athlete selection (2020 and 2021) and served as Missouri State's representative on the MVC SAAC Committee and the MVC Regulatory Matters Committee. After her playing career, she spent two seasons as the Bears head coach (2022-24), compiling 20 dual victories in that span.
Dylan Cole (Football, 2013-16, Rogersville, Mo.)
A consensus All-America linebacker in 2016, Cole was also a three-time All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection for coaches Terry Allen and Dave Steckel. He racked up 457 career tackles, which ranks No. 3 in program history and accumulated the club's most stops since 2001. His 152 total tackles in 2015 ranks No. 7 on MSU season list, while his 142 as a senior ranks No. 10 and led the nation with 12.9 tackles per game. He was a member of the MVFC All-Newcomer Team in 2013 and earned Academic All-MVFC honors three times. After his collegiate career, he played in the 2016 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and signed an undrafted free agent agreement with the Houston Texans. Cole went on to a seven-year NFL career, playing in 77 games with the Texans, Titans and Bears.
Brent Dunn (Don Payton Award, Springfield, Mo.)
Dunn has worked for Missouri State for more than 40 years, including since 2007 as CEO of the Missouri State Foundation and Vice President for University Advancement. In leading the university's fundraising and alumni engagement efforts, Dunn helped to achieve record levels of private support, including nearly $50 million raised in outright gifts, planned giving and pledges for fiscal year 2026.
He has overseen two major capital campaigns, totaling $441 million, and played a key role in plotting the strategic direction for the foundation and aligning it with Missouri State's 2025-30 strategic plan.
In 2009, Dunn received the Outstanding Fundraising Executive of the Year award from the Ozarks Chapter of the National Association of Fundraising Executives. The foundation has won multiple awards for excellence in fundraising from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. He was also the 2023 recipient of the ACE Award by the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, which is bestowed on those who champion sports-related charity work in Missouri.
A 1985 graduate of Missouri State, Dunn rose from radio news/sports reporting in his hometown of Springfield to news director at KWTO AM & FM. Later, his ability to build relationships enhanced the lives of student-athletes at Missouri State in his role as director of athletics development and assistant AD for development under former AD Bill Rowe. Athletic sponsorships, lead gift contributions and athletic facility upgrades were Dunn's calling card from the mid 1990's through the late 2000's.
Uvis Kalnins (Men's Swimming & Diving, 2012-16, Valmiera, Latvia)
A two-time Olympian (2012 London and 2016 Rio) and two-time NCAA qualifier for coach Dave Collins, Kalnins broke four Missouri State records during his tenure. He set program high-water marks in the 100 and 200 freestyle, as well as the 200 and 400 individual medley events. He was a four-time All-MAC honoree and was named MAC Outstanding Senior of the Year in 2016 as well as Most Outstanding Swimmer of the Year in 2014. The Latvian sensation earned MAC Swimmer of the Week honors five times during his tenure and was a three-time individual MAC champion in both the 200 IM and 400 IM events.
Cody Kirby (Football, 2007-10, Rogers, Ark.)
A four-year starter at quarterback for coach Terry Allen, Kirby was a three-time All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection and 2007 MVFC Freshman of the Year. He was also named to the Valley All-Newcomer Team in 2007. He still holds Missouri State's career records for passing yards (8,183), completions (690), attempts (1,172), starts (41) and consecutive games with a pass completion (44) and now ranks No. 2 all-time in touchdown passes (47). He passed for 200 yards or more 17 times during his tenure and was a three-time team captain. Kirby also set a club record for pass completions in a game with 29 against South Dakota State in 2009, a mark that has not been surpassed in 15 years.
Missy Linnens Riesgo (Women's Golf, 2004-08, Wichita, Kan.)
Linnens was named Missouri Valley Conference Golfer of the Year in 2007-08 and was a three-time All-MVC honoree (2006, 2007 and 2008) under coach Kevin Kane. During her sophomore season, she was tri-medalist at the 2006 MVC Championship and is one of just five Missouri State players to ever win the Valley individual title. She also was one of just two Bears (and 10 players overall) named to the MVC 25-Year Anniversary Team in 2018. Linnens was a seven-time MVC Player of the Week and three-time MVC Scholar-Athlete Team selection. Likewise, she set the program record for 54 holes as a senior in 2008 (72-72-73--217) and was a two-time runner-up at the Kansas Amateur Championship in the summers of 2005 and 2007.
Madison Meredith (Women's Track & Field, 2020-22, Detroit, Mich.)
The top 60-meter sprinter in school history, Meredith earned second-team All-America honors for her indoor performance at the 2022 NCAA nationals, finishing 15th (7.31) nationally in that event. She broke Missouri State's school record in the 60-meter dash three times as a senior with a top effort of 7.23 that still stands and snapped the MVC record en route to a Missouri Valley Conference individual title. The three-time All-MVC performer claimed indoor accolades in 2021 and 2022 (earning Most Valuable Athlete at both) and outdoor honors in 2021. She was also an NCAA outdoor regional qualifier in three events in 2021 (100m dash, 200m dash and 4x100 relay) after winning MVC titles in all three. The transfer from Western Michigan won MVC indoor titles in the 60m dash and 200m dash at the 2021 Missouri Valley Indoor meet.
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