Missouri State

Askren Named to John Mackey Award Watchlist

Wed, 5 Aug 2026 11:15:00 CST

BALTIMORE, Md. -- Missouri State tight end Jeron Askren (Wichita, Kan.) has been named to the 2026 John Mackey Award Preseason Watchlist, the organization announced Wednesday (Aug. 5).

Inaugurated in 2000 by the Nassau County Sports Commission, the John Mackey Award distinguishes the nation's most outstanding collegiate tight end who exemplifies gridiron mastery and character.

Askren enters his third season at Missouri State after earning 11 starts at tight end a year ago, including the last nine games of the campaign. He earned All-Conference USA honorable mention laurels in 2025 after snagging 19 passes for 224 yards to go with an MSU freshman record five touchdown catches. He caught the game-winning touchdown at Marshall (9/6/25) with 2:12 remaining to help the Bears earn their first-ever FBS victory which earned him CUSA Freshman of the Week honors. He also had five receptions for 35 yards and a 9-yard TD catch in the win at New Mexico State (10/22/25) and a pair of touchdowns in the home win over UTEP (11/15/25).

He adds the Mackey Award Watchlist honor to his other preseason accolades: Conference USA Preseason Watch List; Athlon Preseason All-CUSA (1st Team) and Phil Steele Preseason All-CUSA (2nd Team).

He is one of 43 players on this year's preseason list, representing every level of major college football, including Askren as the lone rep from Conference USA.

The John Mackey Award honors the legacy of the Pro Football Hall of Famer John whose excellence, leadership, character and impact on the game continue to inspire generations of student-athletes.

#WeAreMoState

NIL Store Launches Officially-Licensed Apparel for Missouri State Athletics

Wed, 5 Aug 2026 12:53:00 CST

CHICAGO -- The NIL Store, powered by Campus Ink, has announced the launch of the Missouri State NIL Store which provides officially licensed NIL merchandising opportunities to Missouri State student-athletes.

ABOUT CAMPUS INK AND THE NIL STORE
Backed by Mark Cuban, Campus Ink expanded into the Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) space in 2021 and launched the NIL Store which serves as a merchandising solution for student-athletes and schools across the country. The NIL Store operates with the firm belief that every student-athlete has an opportunity to capitalize on their NIL and should earn industry-leading payouts. Campus Ink was founded in 1947 on the campus of the University of Illinois and was reimagined in 2015 with an office in downtown Chicago and a production facility in Urbana, Ill., where the company handles all of its own production and fulfillment.

Mo State Update: "State of Mo State Athletics" with Patrick Ransdell

Tue, 4 Aug 2026 16:10:00 CST

Mo State Athletics Announces 2026 Football Game Themes

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:23:00 CST

SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State Athletics has announced its 2026 football game themes as part of its second season in Conference USA and FBS football. A variety of special events, discounted tickets and unique game-day opportunities await BearNation as they prepare to experience the roar this fall at Plaster Stadium.

With single-game tickets already on sale, and season tickets still available in most price ranges, this year's six-game home slate will feature the following promo dates:

Sat., Sept. 12 vs. Lindenwood – Heroes Day | Extra Yard for Teachers | Youth Spirit Clinic
Sat., Sept. 19 vs. Marshall – Family Weekend & Hall of Fame
Wed., Oct. 14 vs. Kennesaw State – Youth Football Night
Tues., Oct. 27 vs. Sam Houston – Faith & Family Night | Black Out | Ag Day | Drone Show
Sat., Nov. 14 vs. New Mexico State – Homecoming
Sat., Nov. 28 vs. Liberty – Senior Day

Follow the Bears on social media @MissouriStBears and @MoStateFootball for additional promotion details and ticket discounts as they become available throughout the season. Fans may also sign up for free Vozzi text updates throughout the year by clicking here.

THEME DESCRIPTIONS
Sept. 12
Heroes Day: Missouri State Athletics is celebrating the brave service men and women of our Armed Forces and first responders. All heroes can redeem a free ticket along with $8 tickets for any accompanying family members.

Extra Yard for Teachers: Extra Yard for Teachers celebrates educators nationwide with a weekend dedicated to their support for young minds. During the game, we'll team up with the CFP Foundation to elevate the teaching profession by recognizing area educators.
Local educators are eligible for a special ticket discount.

Youth Spirit Clinic: Young Bears fans in kindergarten through sixth grade are invited to spend the day with the Missouri State Cheer and Sugar Bears Dance teams! Participants will learn cheers, dance routines and beginner stunting skills before joining the excitement of the Bear Walk through BearFest Village and taking the field to perform during the first half of the Bears' game at Plaster Stadium.
More information to come!

Sept. 19
Family Weekend: Join the Missouri State community and cheer on the Bears during the annual Family Weekend celebration. Families of Missouri State students will find programming throughout the entire weekend and a special Family Programs tailgate space for students and their families at BearFest Village.

Hall of Fame: Celebrate the newest class of the Missouri State Athletics Hall of Fame as we recognize and honor the outstanding student-athletes, coaches, teams and contributors whose achievements have left a lasting legacy on Mo State athletics.

Oct. 14
Youth Football Night: Missouri State Athletics welcomes youth football players, coaches and their families for Youth Football Night at Plaster Stadium. Local youth football teams are invited to cheer on the Bears and celebrate the next generation of student-athletes.

Oct. 27
Faith & Family Night: Join Missouri State Athletics for Faith & Family Night as church groups, faith-based organizations and Bears fans from across the Ozarks come together for an evening of fellowship and Bears football. Celebrate community, family and faith while cheering on the Bears under the lights at Plaster Stadium.

Black Out: Cheer on the Bears in your best black BearWear! Be on the look out for special game day gear from the Missouri State Bookstore!

Ag Day: Join the Bears and celebrate agriculture in the Ozarks. All area FFA and other ag organizations are invited to join the action at Plaster Stadium. Group ticket rates start at $5 per ticket.

Drone Show: Catch another amazing Drone Show during halftime!

Nov. 14
Homecoming: Missouri State alumni and friends are invited back to campus to enjoy our annual Homecoming weekend. Alumni and friends of all ages will find activities on campus throughout the weekend, including the annual Homecoming parade on Saturday morning. Cheer on the Bears and enjoy the Homecoming court coronation at halftime.

Nov. 28
Senior Day: Join Missouri State Athletics as we honor the members of our senior class for their commitment, leadership and contributions to the Bears football program. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to recognize these student-athletes as they are celebrated before kickoff in their final regular season home game at Plaster Stadium.

TICKETS
Single-game tickets for all six MSU home games are on sale at the Great Southern Bank Arena Box Office, (417) 836-7678, and online at MissouriStateBears.com/Tickets.

Season tickets remain available for purchase in most seating sections and may be PURCHASED ONLINE or at the Missouri State Box Office. Missouri State students are admitted free to all home games by presenting a valid BearPass on game days. Discounted season tickets are also available for all Missouri State faculty and staff.

Group ticket information is available by contacting Camden Sapp at (417) 836-7678.

#NoStateLikeMoState

Football Single-Game Tickets on Sale

Mon, 8 Jun 2026 09:52:00 CST

SPRINGFIELD -- Missouri State football single-game tickets for the upcoming campaign are currently on sale, as of Monday, June 8 at 10:00 a.m.

Fans may purchase tickets via phone at (417) 836-7678, in person at the Great Southern Bank Arena box office, or ONLINE through the university's new Paciolan ticketing platform.

Summer box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For online purchases, the Paciolan system will prompt new ticket buyers to "Create Account" at checkout. Returning ticket buyers can activate their Paciolan ticketing account by logging in with the email on file from the previous ticketing system. Fans will then need to reset their login password. Additional account assistance is available by phone at (417) 836-7678 or email at MissouriStateTix@missouristate.edu.

Mo State's second FBS football season will include six home games, including three nationally-televised contests, and a number of promotional dates to be announced at a later date.

Coach Casey Woods' squad will play its home opener on Sept. 12 against Lindenwood before hosting Marshall in a nationally-televised tilt on Sept. 19 for Family Weekend. October features a pair of national TV games against Kennesaw State on Oct. 14 and Sam Houston on Oct. 27. The Bears will also play a pair of November home games with contests against New Mexico State (Nov. 14) and Liberty (Nov. 28).

The 2026 home schedule is as follows:

Saturday, Sept. 12 - Lindenwood (Home Opener) – Starting at $20
Saturday, Sept. 19 - Marshall (Family Weekend, Hall of Fame) – Starting at $35
Wednesday, Oct. 14 - Kennesaw State* (CUSA Opener) – Starting at $25
Tuesday, Oct. 27 - Sam Houston* - Starting at $20
Saturday, Nov. 14 - New Mexico State* (Homecoming) – Starting at $20
Saturday, Nov. 28 - Liberty* (Senior Day) – Starting at $20

(Prices listed do not include applicable fees and taxes).

Road game tickets may be purchased here: ROAD GAMES

Season Tickets remain available for purchase in most seating sections and may also be purchased in person, via phone, or online with the same link above. Season ticket mini-plans are also available for the upcoming season: Maroon Plan | White Plan.

Prospective season ticket buyers may also submit a Season Ticket Inquiry Form which designates a season ticket representative to begin formulating a season-ticket package that caters to that individual's specific seat preferences and price range. A follow-up phone call will come from a ticketing agent in the coming days to finalize details and answer any questions.

Missouri State University faculty and staff receive a 50-percent discount on single-game and season tickets which may be purchased at the Missouri State Box Office at Great Southern Bank Arena or by phone. Faculty and staff purchases are subject to the full Bears Fund ticket assessment.

Missouri State students are admitted free to all regular-season home events.

First-year head coach Casey Woods inherits an upstart Missouri State program that finished 7-6 overall and 5-3 in Conference USA in its inaugural season at the FBS level while earning a berth in the inaugural XBox Bowl in Frisco, Texas. Woods returns 61 players, 30 lettermen and eight starters from that 2025 squad.

#WeAreMoState

Missouri State Announces 2026-27 Hall of Fame Class

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 11:37:00 CST

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.

#WeAreMoState

Missouri State to Retire Jersey of Football Great Dennis Heim

Sat, 1 Aug 2026 19:30:00 CST

SPRINGFIELD -- A jersey retirement ceremony for former Bears football great Dennis Heim is in store for the upcoming season, Missouri State Director of Athletics Patrick Ransdell announced Saturday evening at the university's annual Sneaker Soiree fundraising event.

From 1974 through 1977, Heim had a playing career unparalleled by few defensive linemen in program history. He recorded 338 total tackles in 42 games in that span, including a team-high 133 stops in his senior season. Heim is also the program's all-time leader in sacks with 41 quarterback stops in his tenure, including another club record 16 during his junior season.

A native of Monett, Mo., Heim was a three-time All-MIAA selection and served as co-captain for the 1977 squad. He was drafted by the NFL's New York Giants in 1978 and spent two seasons with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League before returning to the NFL in 1980 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Heim's jersey retirement ceremony will take place during the team's home opener vs. Lindenwood on Sept. 12 at Plaster Stadium.

Heim is the fifth person in Missouri State football history to be honored with a retired jersey, joining long-time coaches Arthur Briggs (1912-33) and Rich Johanningmeier (1976-85) and standout players Ray Haley (1947-51) and DeAndre Smith (1987-90). Johanningmeier was also a standout player for the Bears from 1960-63.

#NoStateLikeMoState

Volleyball Single Game Tickets Now on Sale

Mon, 3 Aug 2026 10:10:00 CST

Cancun Challenge Matchups Finalized

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:58:00 CST

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Tournament officials with the Cancun Challenge college basketball tournament have finalized the field and schedule for the men's and women's tournament.

Powered by Triple Crown Sports, the 2026 event marks the 22^nd edition of the women's tournament and the 20^th for the men. Players and fans will once again be just steps from their rooms to the converted ballroom that hosts the competition at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.

Missouri State will play in the six-team Riviera Tournament that will feature two games for each squad. The other five teams in the Riviera Tournament are Cincinnati, Kansas, Miami (OH), Minnesota and Washington State.

The Lady Bears will face off against Minnesota on Thursday, Nov. 26 at 5:30 p.m. CT in game one, before taking on Washington State on Friday, Nov. 27 at 3:00 p.m. CT to close the tournament. The full tournament schedule can be found HERE.

FAN TRAVEL PACKAGES
Fan packages are available for those looking to join the team in paradise. Reserve your spot for all of the games with a fan package that includes tournament admission, lodging at the resort, airport transfers, admission to the tournament banquet attended by players and coaches, as well as many other benefits offered to basketball fans. Game admission without purchasing a tournament lodging package requires a separate entry fee on a space-available basis. Guarantee your seat at the Challenge and buy your package today!

More information on purchasing fan packages can be found HERE.

#NoStateLikeMoState

Baseball Bears Set for Springfield Area Sports HOF Induction in September

Tue, 4 Aug 2026 09:22:00 CST