Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) has been approved by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) to offer women’s softball and esports beginning with the 2022 fall semester.
The women’s softball team will compete at the NJCAA Division II level. The Grizzlies esports team, which will be co-ed, will compete through the NJCAAE, the national governing body for two-year college esports in the United States.
“We are pleased to offer new sports teams for this community,” said MSU-WP Chancellor Dennis Lancaster. “West Plains has a rich history with softball, baseball and robust city leagues, and although traditional sports enthusiasts may not readily embrace the concept of esports as an established forum of competition, it does represent the future of things to come.”
The Grizzly softball team will have a maximum of 30 student-athletes and compete during the spring. They also will take part in off-season games during the fall. The Grizzly Esports team will be made up of 12 student-athletes who will compete year round. Coaching hires for the new programs will be announced soon.
A limited number of athletic scholarships will be available to student-athletes in each sport. Additional financial aid for the athletes will come through such programs as the federal Pell Grant, Missouri’s A+ Program and other academic scholarships available through the university, Lancaster said.
MSU-WP Interim Athletic Director Crockett Oaks said the new softball and esports programs will enhance the collegiate experience for current students and bring new and expanding interest in MSU-WP from prospective students and area residents.
“I am elated that we can bring these programs to our community,” Oaks said. “They truly position our campus to compete with student offerings at other universities.
“We also continue to be grateful for the support of our community, alumni and not least our For more information about the new Grizzly Softball and Esports teams, contact Oaks at CrockettOaks@MissouriState.edu or at 417-255-7258.
For more information about Grizzly Athletics, visit MSUWPGrizzlies.com.
