You’ll be in for a good one when Missouri State takes on in-state rivals Southeast Missouri State. The Bears and Redhawks first met in 1917, and the rivalry has been an intense one ever since. Make sure to get tickets when the Bears take on their oldest rivals the Redhawks.

Missouri State Bears vs Southern Illinois Salukis

Rival Team: Southern Illinois Salukis

Missouri State and Southern Illinois may not be at the top of their game on the gridiron right now, but that doesn’t mean you’ll want to miss it when these longtime Missouri Valley Conference rivals square off. There are always a lot of bragging rights on the line when the Bears and Salukis meet making a Missouri State-Southern Illinois game a must-see for fans of these two schools.

Missouri State Bears Tailgate Guide

Atmosphere

Missouri State fans take tailgating serious, which you can see the minute you step foot in BearFest Village before the game. BearFest Village is the epicenter of the Missouri State tailgating scene and a fantastic place to hang out before the game. You’ll see a sea of maroon and white in BearFest Village before the game creating a festive game day atmosphere that any college football fan would enjoy.

In addition to a great tailgating atmosphere, BearFest Village is also home to a slew of pre-game activities. The two biggest pre-game activities are the Bear Walk and the pregame pep rally. The Bear Walk takes place 75 minutes before kickoff and lets you get up close to your favorite players before the game, while the pregame pep rally will get you pumped up a half hour before the game with performances by the band and spirit groups. BearFest Village also features inflatables and games for kids as well making it the perfect tailgating destination no matter what your age.

If for some reason BearFest Village isn’t your thing or if you forget to reserve a spot, you can tailgate in lots 18 and 24 free of charge. You’ll find a lot of Bears fans tailgating in these lots before the game as well creating another excellent place to tailgate before the game.

Missouri State goes all out to put on a great tailgating experience, so get here early and enjoy all the sights and sounds BearFest has to offer.

Traditions

Bear Statue

Snap a picture with the bear statue outside Robert W. Plaster Stadium. The statue presents an excellent photo op and a picture of it is an excellent keepsake from your trip to Springfield.

Bear Walk

The Bear Walk takes place 75 minutes before kickoff as the team makes their way through BearFest Village to the stadium. Get here early so you don’t miss the opportunity to see your favorite players before the game.

Pregame Pep Rally

Make sure to check out the pregame pep rally on the steps of McDonald Arena. The pep rally starts 30 minutes before kickoff and features the Pride Band, Boomer and Growl, Sugar Bears, and the MSU cheerleaders making it a must-see.

Where to tailgate

BearFest Village

If you want to be at the epicenter of Missouri State tailgating, then BearFest Village is the place for you. BearFest Village is located north of the stadium and features appearances by the football team, cheerleaders, Boomer, the Pride Band, and Sugar Bears. Reserve your spot to enjoy Missouri State tailgating at its best.

Lots 18 and 24

Those of you don’t reserve a spot in BearFest Village and still want to tailgate will find plenty of room to do so in lots 18 and 24. Best of all tailgating in these two lots is free of charge.

Missouri State Bears Stadium Guide

In Game

You’ll have a lot of fun attending a Missouri State football game as the pageantry outside the stadium carries over to the game. All of the major spirit squads and the Pride Band can be seen during the game, and they put on wonderful shows that any fan would enjoy. The Pride Band is an especially big part of the in-game experience as they create the majority of the atmosphere inside Robert W. Plaster Stadium.

The fan support at Missouri State is also relatively good considering the size of the school and the Bears lack of success over the past few seasons. Even when the team is struggling, you’ll still find that Missouri State games are fairly well attended and that those in attendance give it their all to cheer them onto victory.

A Missouri State football game is a fun game day experience for college football fans in the Springfield, Missouri area so come on out and support the Bears on a beautiful fall Saturday afternoon.

Things to check out

History Banners

Hanging around the concourse are banners celebrating the history of Missouri State football. The banners add a nice touch and make Robert W. Plaster Stadium feel like the home of the Bears.

Pride Band

Enjoy the Pride Band during your trip to Missouri State. The band puts on a fantastic show and creates a great in-game atmosphere, so sit back and enjoy their performances throughout the game.

Sugar Bears Dance Team

The Sugar Bears will dazzle you with their dance routines. These talented dancers put on a show-stopping performance, so don’t leave your seat when you see them take the field.

Cheer Squad

Join the cheer squad as they cheer on the Bears to victory. The cheerleaders pump up the crowd throughout the game, so take part in the cheers and chants to give the Bears as much of a home field advantage as possible.

Boomer and Growl

Boomer and Growl are the official Missouri State mascots, and they get into all kinds of antics during the game. Keep an eye out for Boomer and Growl as you wouldn’t want to miss these two popular mascots.

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