Senator Schmitt Urges NCAA to Allow Missouri State Bears to Compete in the Playoffs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) called on the NCAA to grant Missouri State University’s waiver request for postseason eligibility for the Bears football program.

“The NCAA’s prohibition on postseason participation for teams transitioning from FCS to FBS is an obsolete rule that fails to reflect today’s college athletics landscape. Established decades ago, under vastly different circumstances, this blanket restriction no longer serves any meaningful purpose in an era of conference realignment and rapidly evolving competitive dynamics. Modern programs possess the resources, facilities, and student-athletes to compete at the FBS level from day one. The artificial waiting period is unnecessary and punitive.

“Missouri State has demonstrated its readiness for FBS competition by achieving six wins in its inaugural season while also fulfilling NCAA requirements for postseason eligibility, including scheduling standards, scholarship allocations, and facilities improvements. The university has done everything asked of it and more. Its student athletes have earned their place on the field and a chance to compete in the postseason through performance, not administrative technicalities.

“The NCAA must not deny these student-athletes the postseason opportunity they have earned based on an arbitrary, outdated regulation that no longer reflects the current realities. I strongly urge the NCAA to approve Missouri State University’s waiver request and allow these student-athletes to compete for the postseason recognition their hard work and on-field success have earned,” the Senator concluded.

Download the letter HERE.

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