MURRAY, Ky. – Murray State University, one of the six founding members of the Ohio Valley Conference, has announced they will join the Missouri Valley Conference on July 1.
The Racers will be the conference’s 11th member, joining fellow OVC member Belmont. The schools essentially replace Loyola-Chicago, who will leave the MVC and join the Atlantic 10 later this year.
“On behalf of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and staff, we are collectively honored and thrilled to join the Missouri Valley Conference,” said Kevin Saal, Murray State Director of Athletics. “Membership in this preeminent, and historically elite-performing conference, occurs as a direct result of the contributions of thousands of Racers who have come before us.”
Murray State, along with Morehead State, Eastern Kentucky, Evansville, Louisville and Western Kentucky, were the original schools that formed the OVC. The Racers were one of the last founding schools still in the conference, with EKU having left for the Atlantic Sun. Morehead State remains the final founding school that will remain a member.
All but two of the Racers’ varsity sports will be making the jump – their football program has yet to join a conference and their rifle team will remain in the OVC.
The MVC is reportedly looking into adding another member to bring the total up to 12. Illinois-Chicago, Kansas City and UT-Arlington have all been linked to the new opening, according to ESPN’s Jeff Borzello.
Murray State marks the fifth school to leave the OVC, joining Belmont, EKU, Jackson State and Austin Peay. Jackson State and Austin Peay will both will head to the ASUN, with the Governors set to join in 2022-23.
The OVC will be at eight members at the start of the next academic year, with Arkansas-Little Rock joining from the Sun Belt. The conference will likely need to continue adding other members to stay afloat.
This most recent conference realignment comes as collateral damage, stemming from Texas and Oklahoma joining the Southeastern Conference. Their move created voids in the Big 12, American Athletic Conference, Conference USA and others across the country.
With the Ramblers departure, Murray State will attempt to fill the void with their historically successful program. The Racers have been to 17 NCAA Tournaments, making it to the second round six times.
The school has produced NBA talent and high-major coaches in recent years. Ja Morant, the No. 2 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, brought the school national attention during his two-year career. Notable coaches to have led the program this century include UCLA’s Mick Cronin, former Texas A&M coach Billy Kennedy and former Iowa State head coach Steve Prohm.
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