Missouri State University-Springfield Athletics

Missouri State competes in NCAA Division I, meaning big-time college athletics with full scholarships and serious competition. The Bears field 15 varsity sports with 401 total athletes, representing just 3% of the 13,407 students on campus. The athletic department distributes over $6.1 million in scholarships across all sports. Missouri State plays in the Missouri Valley Conference for most sports, creating natural rivalries with schools like Southern Illinois University. The Bears have built a solid reputation in basketball, with both men's and women's programs drawing decent crowds to JQH Arena. Football competes in the FCS level, where the program has shown steady improvement. While not a sports powerhouse, Missouri State offers the full Division I experience with competitive teams and school spirit centered around Bears athletics.