Since 1948, Murray State University has not only served as a founding school of the Ohio Valley Conference — but as a long-time academic and athletic anchor for one of the oldest leagues in the country.
It seems, however, that MSU’s storied tenure is headed to a new home.
Wednesday night, CBS Senior Sports Writer Matt Norlander broke news from the Missouri Valley Conference — with its league presidents officially extending a bid to the Racers in hopes of becoming the league’s 11th school.
In what feels like nothing but formality at this point, Murray State’s Board of Regents will meet in special session at 8:30 a.m. Friday in Murray to discuss “Conference Realignment” — all but clinching MSU’s move from a home it helped build to another sturdy structure and strong mid-major conference.
Expected to join the MVC effective July 1 of this year, Murray State, UT Arlington and the University of Missouri-Kansas City all made presentations to league officials on December 19.
While a 12th member of the MVC could be announced by the end of January, Murray State and the MVC’s courtship has been more than four years in the making — when sources first reported that MSU was a target of the MVC following Wichita State’s departure for the American.
Valparaiso, a previous favorite in an early school search, eventually earned a singular invitation.
Murray State isn’t the MVC’s only announcement in the last year. In order to replace the departure of Loyola-Chicago to the Atlantic 10, league presidents have already accepted Belmont University — another strong OVC program and a private school, located in Nashville.
As of next year, the MVC should be comprised of MSU, Belmont, Southern Illinois, Missouri State, Northern Iowa, Drake, Indiana State, Illinois State, Valparaiso, Bradley and Evansville — in what is a relatively-strong regional network of universities.
At this time, it’s not clear where Murray State’s rifle and football programs will go, as MVC football operates as a different athletic entity and rifle isn’t sponsored in the league, but those answers will come.
One thing seems certain: the Racers are running to another Valley. And it could have a significant impact on west Kentucky athletics and academics.
According to 2020-2021 enrollment numbers, more than 6,200 students were enrolled as in-state applicants — with representatives from 111 of 120 counties.
Among MSU’s top 10 counties by enrollment, Calloway County was first (911), McCracken County was second (656), Graves County was third (450), Christian County was fourth (368), Marshall County was fifth (367), Hopkins County was seventh (267) and Trigg County was 10th (183).
And among MSU’s alumni population, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri comprised the top five states.
