The Murray State University Board of Regents accepted an invitation from the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) during a special meeting held at Wells Hall on the MSU campus in Murray, Kentucky on Jan. 7.
The Murray State Racers become the 11th member of the MVC beginning July 1, 2022.
Murray was a charter member of the Ohio Valley Conference and has been part of the nucleus of the conference for 74 years. Four other OVC members are leaving, including Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky, which will join the Atlantic Sun Conference, and Belmont, which also is headed to the MVC with the Racers. Those two conferences do not currently support football.
When the Racers join the MVC in July, they will partner with member institutions Belmont University (Nashville), Bradley University (Peoria, Ill.), Drake University (Des Moines, Iowa), the University of Evansville, Illinois State University (Normal, Ill.), Indiana State University (Terre Haute), Missouri State University (Springfield, Mo.), the University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls), Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) and Valparaiso University (Valparaiso, Ind).
Throughout the process, Murray State officials have prioritized stable and vibrant competitive homes for all 15 of its sports programs in order to continue its long history of success in Racer Athletics. Given the MVC's sports portfolio does not include football and rifle, Murray State has proactively pursued – in a collective and parallel track – league membership for football and rifle and are excited about the future.
Upon unanimous support from the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) board of presidents – a separate stand-alone, football-only conference – Murray State and MVFC officials are actively engaged in the membership process, which officially began immediately upon receipt of the MVC invitation. The nationally ranked (currently 6th) Murray State rifle program will continue to compete in the Ohio Valley Conference.
"We are very excited as we advance Murray State University and Racer Athletics into our second century," said Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson. "The Missouri Valley Conference is one of the premier conferences in Division-I athletics and we look forward to continuing our long record of success in this conference."
"On behalf of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and staff, we are collectively honored and thrilled to join the Missouri Valley Conference," said Kevin Saal, Murray State Director of Athletics. "Membership in this preeminent, and historically elite-performing conference, occurs as a direct result of the contributions of thousands of Racers who have come before us. Sincere thank you to our Board of Regents, Board of Regents Chair Eric Crigler, President Jackson, and many others, for their strategic and unparalleled support of Murray State University, and all 15 athletic programs. Heartfelt congratulations and thank you to Racer Nation, whose wildly passionate support makes today and many future successes possible. The Racer Family eagerly anticipates meeting the challenges ahead with great energy, enthusiasm and passion…The Race Is On!"
"Excited for Murray State, and excited for the Missouri Valley Conference," said Commissioner Jeff Jackson. "Everyone is aware of the tremendous success Murray has had, especially in the sport of basketball. The Racers will be a fantastic addition to our Conference.
"Today marks a historic new era for Murray State University and Racer Athletics as we join the Missouri Valley Conference," said Board Chairman Crigler. "The MVC is one of the premiere conferences in the nation and this move will benefit Murray State's campus experience, the community, and our competitive excellence in athletics. Over 90 percent of our students and 80 percent of our alumni live in the footprint of the MVC, greatly enhancing the exposure of Murray State for student recruitment and alumni engagement. It is an exciting day for Racer Athletics!"
Murray State's resume is full of outstanding achievements in its 97 years of collegiate competition including 136 conference championships, 127 NCAA postseason appearances (team and individual) and 250 All-America selections. Since 2010, the Racers have made 25 NCAA postseason team appearances. In the 2018-19 academic year, the Racers finished in the top-100 of the Learfield IMG College Director's Cup (out of 356 institutions nationally) after having earned the league commissioner's cup, scoring the highest point total in the history of the award. That year, the Racers produced a combined seven OVC championships to win the league's All-Sports Award with championships in basketball (M), golf (W), rifle, soccer (W), track & field (W) and volleyball (W).
Academically, Racer student-athletes have produced an impressive streak of 35 consecutive semesters (spanning 18 academic years and 21 different academic classes) with an average 3.0 GPA or higher. Murray State Athletics has further produced 25 CoSIDA Academic All-America selections. The Racers have won four NCAA Elite 90 Awards since 2016.
The current lineup of 15 teams at Murray State include Basketball (M/W), baseball, cross country (W/M), football, golf (M/W), rifle (coed), soccer (W), softball, tennis (W), track & field-indoor/outdoor (W) and volleyball.
"What an incredibly exciting day for Murray State University and the Murray, Kentucky community," said MSU Men's Basketball Head Coach Matt McMahon. "The Missouri Valley Conference is one of the premier basketball leagues in the country. We look forward to both the opportunities and the challenges that this historic day presents. I am thrilled for all of our former players, coaches, and our passionate fans who have remained loyal to the Racers for generations. Lastly, I want to recognize and thank President Jackson and Kevin Saal for their vision, hard work, and commitment to make this day a reality."
"Murray State's move to the Missouri Valley Conference highlights the commitment of our leadership to growing this university in every possible way," said MSU Women's Basketball Head Coach Rechelle Turner. "Racer women's basketball is proud to be part of an athletic department and university that dares to dream big and embraces the challenges that come with becoming better each day. The concept of using challenge to grow is a cornerstone of our program, and we will be fully engaged in the work required to see that Murray State women's basketball flourishes as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference."
"Today is an exciting day for Murray State University, the athletics department and all 15 of our sports programs," said Dean Hood, MSU Head Football Coach. "In addition to today's news regarding the Missouri Valley Conference, our administration is actively engaged in the membership process with the Missouri Valley Football Conference, and we look forward to the journey ahead. Congratulations to Racer Nation on this important step for all our programs. Go Racers!"
A community event will be held at the CFSB Center Monday, Jan. 10 at noon as the Racers welcome Racer Nation throughout Murray and the western Kentucky region to celebrate entry into the MVC. All fans and supporters are invited to this free event. Doors open at 11 a.m. (CT) and fans should enter the CFSB Center through Gate B. Upon conclusion of the community event, Murray State University will host a press conference in the Murray Room inside the CFSB Center where media members can ask questions of MSU and MVC administrators. Both events will be live streamed on ESPN+.
Officially licensed gear from the Murray State/MVC team shop is now available online for purchase. The sale is open through Jan. 24. after which, the orders will be fulfilled and sent. Many items are available in men's, women's and youth sizes. Visit GoRacers.com/MVCgear.
About the Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference, the nation's second-oldest NCAA Division I conference, continues to be a leader in college athletics and is one of the nation's most innovative leagues, celebrating its 115th season in 2021-22. The Valley brand remains very strong, both regionally and nationally, and the great athletic tradition of The Valley remains a compelling force in recruiting student-athletes and in marketing all the MVC programs. League members have worked together to focus on common goals and objectives, placing a high value on conference harmony, while continuing to invest in athletic programs to compete at the highest level.
OVC commissioner comments
Here is a statement from OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche on membership transition:
“Murray State has informed the OVC office that they will be leaving the conference as a full member, effective June 30, 2022.
“While a conference member, the OVC is committed to providing Racer student-athletes with exemplary championships experiences. Additionally, moving forward, we look to continue our mutually beneficial relationship through affiliate memberships in some sports.
“The OVC has a rich history, and memories and friendships developed over the years are not forgotten, yet the focus of our unified membership is on the OVC’s future.
“As all of us have seen this past year, the landscape of Intercollegiate athletics continues to change, and the Ohio Valley Conference has not stood still. In the last two months, the OVC has added a member, has created a new partnership, and has continued its focus on membership growth.
• We are proud to welcome the University of Little Rock to the conference, which accepted our invitation last month to become a member, beginning July 1, 2022. This adds a new state to the OVC map and another outstanding university to the conference.
• The OVC completed a schedule partnership for football with the Southland Conference for 2022, providing a broader platform for the schools in both conferences to enhance their competitive schedule and the development of their student-athletes.
• We are talking to institutions that share our philosophy and want to prosper in today’s intercollegiate athletic environment by being part of the OVC.
“That philosophy remains a fundamental one, tied to the basics that underpin the college experience: the benefits of highly competitive athletics and the overall development of our student-athletes, with distinctive opportunities for them to succeed in their sports and in life, and with leadership opportunities across the academic, service, and social justice spectrums.
“We look forward to the continued accomplishments of the OVC’s member schools and their student-athletes, as we work our membership plan to add schools that, like the members of the OVC, are committed to our principles and our goals.”