Missouri Valley Football Conference welcomes Murray State

CEDAR FALLS — The Missouri Valley Football Conference announced the addition of Murray State Monday morning as its 12th member.

A two-thirds majority vote among the MVFC’s presidents confirmed the Racers’ entrance to the league in 2023 on Friday.

“Each and every time that we have expanded our membership it’s been due to an opportunity rather than a necessity,” MVFC commissioner Patty Viverito said. “That dates back to when Youngstown State was invited in 1997. North Dakota State and South Dakota State when they joined. Followed by South Dakota, and then North Dakota just a couple years ago. Now, that is the case here today.”

Murray State accepted an invitation to join the separately-operated Missouri Valley Conference in January for its other sponsored sports, but enters the MVFC amid some skepticism regarding its ability to compete in the FCS’ preeminent league.

Viverito pushed back on that skepticism of the Racers program during a Zoom conference Monday afternoon.

The 36-year commissioner says five MVFC members asked for Murray State to be considered and emphasized how Murray State’s leadership convinced her and the rest of the league’s administration that they knew what they’re getting into with regard to the MVFC’s strength.

“President (Robert) Jackson (and) athletic director Kevin Saal made it very clear that they understood that being successful in this league would require alignment of their leadership to commit to investing at a level that would allow them to be successful. They have done that,” Viverito said. “Absent that, we probably would not be where we are today.”

Despite not being characterized a “football power” or a “football school,” the Racers are coming off back-to-back winning seasons, had the seventh-ranked recruiting class this year and boasted attendance numbers in the top quarter of the FCS.

“I think that they have some really good building blocks. I think the bones are good relative to commitment,” Viverito said. “Let’s see how it plays out.

Becoming the MVFC’s 12th team requires scheduling adjustments for the league.

Viverito explained that teams will play each of their 11 conference opponents four out of every six seasons with the new model they’re adopting. She also said established rivalries will be protected and geography also will play a part.

“We’re not going to lose the Dakota Marker game (NDSU vs. SDSU). Youngstown State is sitting on the fringes (of our map) in the east — they have one bus trip. We’re never going to take the one bus trip off their schedule. Just makes sense,” Viverito said.