Plan your road trips now: Northwest releases 2017 NCAA schedule

Plan your road trips now: Northwest releases 2017 NCAA schedule

Maryville, Mo. - According to bearcatsports.com, your Northwest Missouri State University varsity baseball program released its 2017 NCAA schedule. Northwest will play a 50-game schedule in 2017 with a terrific line-up of top quality competition destined for epic series after epic series. Bring your popcorn and get a good night's sleep because 2017 looks to be an outstanding year of exciting collegiate baseball.

Northwest will open its 2017 NCAA regular season by traveling to Alva, Oklahoma, on February 3, 4, and 5, to take on Fort Hays State and Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Following those three games, Northwest will then travel to Fort Smith, Arkansas, to play a mid-week game at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith on February 7, 2017. Following Fort Smith, Northwest will travel to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to play Ouachita Baptist University, Henderson State University, and Truman State University, on February 9, 10, and 11. The Bearcats will then return home for practice before hitting the road to Edmond, Oklahoma, to play a 3-game series at Oklahoma Christian University on February 17, 18, and 19. Following Oklahoma Christian University, Northwest will start its MIAA conference slate and take on Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on February 24, 25, and 26.

Northwest plays its home opener on March 3, 4, and 5, and takes on Lindenwood University. Following Lindenwood, Northwest is set to stay in Maryville the next weekend and will host Washburn University on March 10, 11, and 12. The Bearcats will then play a mid-week non-conference game versus William Jewell on Wednesday, March 15. Northwest is then set to play Rockhurst University in Kansas City on Saturday, March 18, and then in Maryville on Sunday, March 19. The Bearcats will then play a mid-week game versus Nebraska-Kearney on March 21. Northwest will stay in Maryville that weekend to play the University of Central Missouri on March 24, 25, and 26. Following the Mules' series, Northwest will travel to Kearney, Nebraska, to play a mid-week game on March 29. The Bearcats will end March and start April with a weekend series at Pitt State on March 31, April 1, and April 2. 

In April, Northwest will play a mid-week game versus Nebraska-Kearney in Maryville on April 4. Then, the Bearcats will host Missouri Southern on April 7, 8, and 9. Following Southern, Northwest will play a mid-week game versus Missouri Western in St. Joseph on April 11. The Bearcats will then travel to Bolivar, Missouri, to play Southwest Baptist on April 13, 14, and 15. Northwest will then host Missouri Western in Maryville in a mid-week match-up on April 18. The Bearcats will stay in Maryville that weekend to host the University of Central Oklahoma on April 21, 22, and 23. Following UCO, Northwest will travel to St. Joseph to play Missouri Western in a mid-week game on April 26. The Bearcats will then drive to Emporia, Kansas, to play the Hornets in a 3-game weekend series on April 28, 29, and 30. 

In May, Northwest will play a mid-week non-conference game versus William Jewell in Liberty, Missouri, on May 2nd. The Bearcats will then conclude the 2017 NCAA regular season by hosting Fort Hays State on May 5, 6, and 7.

The B2R cannot wait for 2017. Your calendar is now ready to follow the best college baseball team in the history of the world.

Pack your popcorn and get your sleep.

Go Cats!!

###

Exciting News - Northwest Multipurpose Complex to boost NWMSU Baseball, student engagement, competitive advantage, & economic development

Photo courtesy of nwmissouri.edu

Maryville, Mo. - Northwest's strategic plan and Forever Green comprehensive campaign has changed the game for your Northwest Missouri State University varsity baseball program. The University's strategic plan took a remarkable step on election day in November 2016. The final step needed to accomplish a major component of Northwest's strategic plan required a little team work. Just as team work wins on the baseball diamond, the University and City of Maryville joined forces that forever changed the ball game for your Northwest Bearcats baseball team.

Photo courtesy of nwmissouri.edu

Imagine a northern school with an expansive indoor facility for a coaching staff to recruit, retain, engage, compete, and develop Bearcat baseball players. The rest of the MIAA is on notice that the Bearcats  baseball team's hard nose, blue collar, tremendous work ethic is now not the only obstacles they have to overcome to win. Now, the MIAA has to complete with a Northwest team that is able to practice full speed at full distances in the winter and spring, and, recruit baseball players that want to play at the next level.

Photo courtesy of nwmissouri.edu

Background - Northwest Missouri State University entered an agreement with the City of Maryville where the City proposed a transient guest tax on all hotel rooms rented in the City. The transient guest tax was a ballot issue that required voters' majority support to go into effect. The agreement called for part of the proceeds to go to Northwest to use in its Multipurpose Complex and the rest to promote tourism or economic development for the greater Maryville community. In return, Northwest and the City entered a lease agreement for the City to use the complex for trade shows and other large-scale events. The Northwest Multipurpose Complex is mostly funded through commitments from the University, private donors, and community supporters. The multipurpose complex is the single largest public-private partnership in the University's 111-year history.

Photo courtesy of nwmissouri.edu

For the University, the multipurpose complex changes the game beyond varsity sports. The 137,250 square foot complex will have recreation and event space, an indoor flooring system, a 100-yard practice turf, a 300-meter indoor competition track, spectator seating, and tiered meeting rooms. Northwest's club sports and student organizations will use the facility. It will be able to host high school and intercollegiate track events. Everything from concerts to early January varsity baseball drills with outdoor temperatures below freezing, the multipurpose complex will most certainly be a tremendous boost to Northwest athletics, student engagement, competitive advantage, and economic development.

Photo courtesy of nwmissouri.edu

Media coverage - To read more about Northwest's multipurpose complex, please click on the hyperlink below:

Plans for Northwest Multipurpose Complex unfolding to boost student engagement, competitive advantage, economic development: For decades Northwest Missouri State University has been a leader among its peer institutions in the areas of recruitment and retention. Now, as the race to attract and keep students continues to evolve and a strong partnership with the city of Maryville works to boost economic development, Northwest is shaping plans for a facility that will meet a multitude of University and community needs.

Go Cats!!
###