Missouri State University

Director of Athletics Kyle Moats will periodically answer questions submitted by you the fan. Below are the selected questions and Mr. Moats' answers. To submit your question to Mr. Moats, click HERE.

For an archive of previous question and answer updates, click HERE.

Mr. Moats,
I am a alum and a alum of the football program, so it's very near and dear to me. I attend all home football and basketball games. Two questions: Are there any plans or thoughts of removing the track in Plaster and bringing the stands in closer? I really think this would really allow the student section to feel a part of the game. Not to mention, this would add to the appeal of new recruits. Secondly, I know that there is talk about the student side being renovated, is there an estimated time table on that? I know money is tight, but as an ex-Bears football player, I know what it feels like to be looked over as a team. To have the school behind them would boost their moral and I think the community.

Everyone loves Bears hoops, and they see that stadium and they know that MSU is serious about their basketball. You can't say that about football. Yes we need to win and winning will bring in more money, but so will better facilities, which will in turn bring in better recruits, and hopefully this all equals wins. I know we can be national champs, we all just have to go all in.
- Brandon T., Springfield, Mo.

Brandon-
President Smart has assembled a Football Task Force to address many issues relative to football. The results will be available later this spring. Your concerns are being addressed. In order for us to make significant changes, we need financial backing from alums and supporters. We thank you for all of your continued supporters.

Dear Mr. Moats,
This year I purchased Bears baseball season tickets for the first time. Although I have attended baseball games before, I am excited for this season and decided to go all out to support the baseball team this season. However, something was rather disconcerting. For a while now it has been advertised that student season tickets cost $20. Although this is true, when I went to the Missouri State Tix window in the PSU I was informed that there is an additional $5 fee. Although I am fine paying this fee and in no way am upset about it, I feel like it was misleading to advertise $20 season tickets to students if, in fact, it will cost us $25. I understand that it's a "fee" and not the actual price, so it's not technically false advertising or anything of the sort, but it is still misleading and somewhat dishonest. This is particularly true since the baseball ticket information page on the website does not mention a fee existing. I would simply recommend that in the future the full price, including the fee, be a part of the advertised price so that students are not mislead.
- Daniel B., Springfield, Mo.

Daniel-
You bring up a good point. Fees are usually assessed because there is a cost associated with the ticket company or credit card company. We can do a better job of communicating this in the future. Also, I am recommending that we don't charge students a fee for baseball season tickets. Please check back with us in a week or so and we may be able to refund you your $5.

Hey, Mr. Moats!
This basketball season has been exciting because we've had match-ups with non-conference schools like Oklahoma State, West Virginia, and soon Old Dominion. I love seeing that, and I know a lot of other students do. Any other schools you're working on facing next season?
- Garrett G., Overland Park, Kan.

Garrett-
We're always working on match-ups that will be beneficial to the development of our team, spike an interest with our fan base and help us financially. We will continue to work on getting games in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas since a vital part of our alumni base lives in these areas. It's very difficult to get bigger-conference schools to come to Springfield. However, we will continue to use our relationships within the basketball community to help better our schedule. In the meantime, we plan to continue playing multi-team events during the holidays which enables us to play BCS schools at neutral sites. Next Thanksgiving, we will be headed to Puerto Vallarta to play two such games. For more information, continue to check back at MissouriStateBears.com and with the Alumni Office as details are available. The MSU women will also participate in this tournament.