Murray State set to join Missouri Valley Football Conference

Murray State is joining the Missouri Valley football conference and will begin play in the fall of 2023. The Racers become the 12th member of the conference.
Murray State is located in Murray, Kentucky and is roughly 600 miles from Youngstown.
"With Murray State becoming the 12th Missouri Valley Football Conference member, we have stabilized and strengthened FCS football in the Midwest and cemented the MVFC's position as the premier FCS football conference in the nation," said Commissioner Patty Viverito. "This course of action makes good sense for our conference, our member institutions, our fans and most importantly our student-athletes. With this move, we will turn long-standing traditional games with neighboring schools into conference rivalries and open the way for equally sat"
We are appreciative, grateful and blessed to align our football program within the best competitive environment in the country, the Missouri Valley Football Conference," said Director of Athletics Kevin Saal. "The journey ahead will constitute great challenge, however, through the commitment and support of Murray State University, President Jackson and the Board of Regents, our athletics department, coaches, student-athletes, community, donors, and season-ticket holders, we will meet these challenges with great energy and enthusiasm. Thank you to the MVFC Presidents Council for this honor and opportunity. Prospective student-athletes who desire to align themselves with a football program committed to growth within the best competitive environment in the country need look no further than Murray State University."
"On behalf of our student-athletes, coaches and staff, we wish to express sincere appreciation and thanks to the Missouri Valley Football Conference and Murray State University, for this tremendous opportunity," said Head Football Coach Dean Hood. "We've said from the outset, we are committed to building a firm foundation on which our football program – and the young men who develop within it - can grow. With great respect, humble hearts and an unwavering sense of urgency, we look forward to the journey ahead."
The Missouri Valley Football Conference is the benchmark for FCS football, producing 11 national champions and five additional national runners-up in the league's history. Most recently, MVFC teams have produced nine of the last 11 national champions and have placed at least one team in the championship game in an FCS-record 11-straight seasons (every year since 2011).