Missouri State wants to build an indoor football facility

Show Caption Hide Caption Wyatt coaches the Bears' defense MSU football coach Dave Steckel handed over coaching duties to several media personalities, including the News-Leader's Wyatt Wheeler, during the second half the Maroon and White exhibition game Thursday, April 19, 2018.

As Missouri State attempts to stay relevant in football, their next step appears to be building an indoor football facility.

Missouri State Athletic Director Kyle Moats told the News-Leader in a phone interview that the athletics program is currently fundraising for an indoor athletics facility that would primarily be used for football.

"We are continually trying to upgrade our program," Moats said.

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The athletic director said MSU head coach Dave Steckel has identified an indoor facility as one of his "major concerns."

Three teams in the Missouri Valley Football Conference play their home football games in domes while two have indoor practice facilities.

North Dakota State, Northern Iowa and South Dakota all play in domes. South Dakota State and Youngstown State have indoor practice facilities.

WJBC reported in February that Illinois State athletics has laid the groundwork to raise funds for a football facility of their own.

Illinois State, along with Missouri State, Southern Illinois, Western Illinois and Indiana State currently don't have indoor practice facilities.

"From a recruiting standpoint, others in the conference have one," Moats said. "We need to at least try and put people on equal bases."

Moats said the university is currently trying to figure out how much a practice facility would cost and what the best option would be.

The project would be privately funded. Moats said the estimated cost is in the $5-8 million range.

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See what MSU playmaker Deion Holliman sees during practice MSU wide receiver and kick returner Deion Holliman wore a GoPro during practice.

Moats said his preference is to gather information on what the athletic programs need and to raise money over the next few months. His hope is to begin the process of identifying and building a facility by the spring or early summer.

The new facility would likely be built in the location of the band field by the Forsythe Athletics Center — where the football offices reside — according to Moats.

The athletic director declined to call it a "football facility" as it will also be shared with the soccer teams, baseball team and others.

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An indoor athletics facility is just one of the projects the BearsFund has been fundraising for. Other projects include a swimming team room, women's soccer locker room renovation, Hammons Student Center atrium, volleyball team room, Hammons Student Center training room and a softball scoreboard.

Missouri State's home football stadium — Robert W. Plaster Stadium — was completed in 1992. Its renovation was completed in 2014.

The total cost estimate for the renovation was $23.5 million.

Hammons Field update

Moats told the News-Leader that no progress has been made on an extension regarding the university's future at Hammons Field, but he expects MSU to stay there.

The athletic director told the News-Leader in mid-May he was uncertain if MSU would continue to play at Hammons Field past the 2018 season. Missouri State's contract to play baseball at Hammons Field expires after this upcoming season.

Although there's been no progress, Moats said Monday that he expects the university lawyers to check in with the athletic seasons starting back up.

"We fully expect to be there," Moats said. "We love it."

Sneaker Soiree

Missouri State is hosting its annual auction to benefit athletics on Friday.

The event features a themed celebration of the 1999 Bears basketball team with former Bears head coach Steve Alford and other players from the team expected to be in attendance.

The business-casual fundraiser will be at the Hammons Student Center and has been rebranded as the "Sneaker Soiree." Those in attendance are encouraged to wear sneakers and enjoy a night of activities, auctions and prizes.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and bidding commences with hundreds of silent auction items up for bid. The live auction begins at 7:30 p.m. and will include travel packages, furniture, unique MSU Athletics experiences and more.

The auction is the primary fundraiser for the MSU intercollegiate athletic programs.

Individual tickets are $40. To purchase tickets in advance, call (417) 836-4143 or visit the auction website.

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