Missouri State granted eligibility to play first bowl sport in CUSA period – Springfield Information-Chief

Missouri State has formally earned a spot in a bowl sport.
On the finish of the faculty soccer common season Nov. 29, Bowl Season — which coordinates the NCAA’s Soccer Bowl Subdivision’s 82 postseason groups — introduced the eligibility.
The Bears completed the season with a 7-5 document underneath head coach Ryan Beard, who served because the defensive coordinator for Missouri State earlier than shifting into the highest job in 2022.
In mid-November, athletic director Patrick Ransdell introduced Missouri State was petitioning the NCAA for a postseason waiver to take part in a bowl sport.
Due to MSU’s current transition to Convention USA, they had been ineligible for postseason play underneath NCAA guidelines.
Missouri lawmakers, together with U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt and U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison added their help, calling on the NCAA to grant the waiver request.
“The college has executed every part requested of it and extra. Its scholar athletes have earned their place on the sphere and an opportunity to compete within the postseason by means of efficiency, not administrative technicalities,” Schmitt wrote, partly.
“The NCAA should not deny these student-athletes the postseason alternative they’ve earned based mostly on an arbitrary, outdated regulation that now not displays the present realities. I strongly urge the NCAA to approve Missouri State College’s waiver request and permit these student-athletes to compete for the postseason recognition their exhausting work and on-field success have earned.”
Burlison added: “With 82 postseason slots accessible this season, Missouri State College deserves equal consideration. These student-athletes have earned their alternative on the sphere and shouldn’t be sidelined by an outdated rule alone.”
The NCAA waivers have been granted up to now.
Along with Missouri State, fellow Convention USA newcomer Delaware was additionally granted eligibility.
Bowl pairings, dates and areas will probably be introduced at a later date. The official Bowl Choice Present is Sunday, Dec. 7.
Missouri State followers who’re excited about attending the bowl sport can fill out an “intent form” to acquire ticket data as quickly as a bowl vacation spot is thought.
Of their inaugural season in Convention USA and the FBS ranks, the Bears are 7-5 general and completed 5-3 within the CUSA standings to tie for fourth place within the 12-team league.

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