Farewell Missouri State

Art, Rick & Wyatt Will Be Missed

(St. Louis, MO) – Farewell Missouri State. While I believe Bears’ fans will look back on this move as a mistake, we wish them all the best in Conference USA. Springfield is a great city and Great Southern Bank Arena is a fun place to visit, but what we will miss our friends more than the maroon and white uniforms.

Missouri State leaves for CUSA on July 1, 2025. They have a countdown clock on their sports website.

We believe Cuonzo Martin will get the basketball program moving forward, but Conference USA isn’t as good a league as the Missouri Valley Conference.

We’ll Miss Art Hains

Since his bout with West Nile disease, the legendary voice of the Bears, Art Hains has played a diminished role, but Art is a truly great play-by-play announcer. You pick the sport and Art is spectacular.

Art Hains may be one of the nicest men in the broadcasting world. His kind words, appreciation for others and willingness to serve is unparalleled. He is a hall-of-famer at Missouri State and is a member of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

When I first started hanging around the Valley, Art was one of those established stars of the league and his acceptance of me, opened many doors for this unknown writer.

We will miss Art Hains. We’re still launching #PrayersforArtHains.

Believe It or Not, We’ll Miss Wyatt Wheeler

Wyatt is one of the most talented writers in the nation. The nation does it know it, but that’s only because Wyatt is so devoted to Missouri State sports and the prep scene in Springfield.

If Wheeler wrote with the same zeal, humor and a well-placed needle to national topics, you would hear from him from Bristol, Connecticut instead of southwest Missouri.

Wyatt’s ‘power rankings’ are legendary in the Valley and his chastisement of certain fan-bases makes twitter a fun place so scroll. I’m guessing Murray, Kentucky and take a breath and Murphreesboro is on the clock.

Make no mistake, Wyatt works extremely hard and knows his stuff. He understands the game, the coaches, players and fandoms because he works hard at what he does.

Wyatt, you’re a rare writer. Stay strong my friend. Enjoy your new bride and know you have a friend in St. Louis praying for you.

Behind the Scenes Kindhart

Most fans won’t know the name Rick Kindhart, but Rick has been a three-decade ‘business-friend’. I first started working with Rick when he was a Missouri State High School Athletic Association senior staff member. He was an amazing help at State Tournament events.

His transition to Missouri State made Bears’ athletics one of the best departments in the Valley. Rick is selfless, sacrificial, and joyful in all he does for Bears’ athletics. As the MO State Sports Information Director, he serves the teams and people in the media with an eye on helping everyone around him succeed.

Three years ago I was announcing an ESPN+ game at Great Southern Bank and forgot my tie. Rick found me one and the show went on!

Rick. Players and coaches come and go, but you have been Missouri State to me. You’ve cared about my needs as a writer and a broadcaster and have given me more respect than I ever deserved.

I wish you all the best, and please know you will be greatly missed.

So Many Others

How can I forget the great Ned Reynolds, Tom Ladd and Lyndal Scranton? Each of those men has a special place in my heart for very different reasons.

Corey Riggs, I wish you all the best. You are stepping full-time into that legendary seat and you will thrive and soar. I’m so happy for you and I know you’ll make Art proud and the Missouri State fans grateful.

I’ll miss seeing you carve out your legendary career.

Farewell Missouri State. We wish you the best in CUSA, just like we wish good things for Loyola Chicago, Creighton and Wichita State. OK, maybe not Wichita State, but the other two for sure.

You’ll be missed.

Do Good

 

Editor: Cover photo of Art Hains and yours truly was taken when we were both a lot younger!