A Springfield attorney will give $5 million to Missouri State to join CUSA. Here’s why.
Since 2018, Tom Strong said he's been vocal about wanting to see Missouri State move into becoming a Football Bowl Subdivision athletics program. The local attorney thought such a move would be transformational for the university, as it had been transformational in his life.
After all, Strong came from a family that once made about $520 annually during the Great Depression. He saw three generations of his family, including himself, become Bears and earn their degrees. He said the university's given him more than he could possibly give to it.
"What I have given to the university is money," Strong said. "What the university has given to my family and me is priceless. There will never be a way to pay this university back."
Missouri State President Clif Smart, who used to work side-by-side with Strong at his law firm, announced Monday afternoon that Strong is donating $5 million for Missouri State to become a full-time member of Conference USA, thus making it an FBS program.
More: How incoming Missouri State recruits reacted to school's move to Conference USA
The $5 million will cover the NCAA's transition fee for programs moving from an FCS league to the FBS. Some will be directed toward upgrading football facilities at Plaster Stadium.
Strong initially was going to remain anonymous with the gift but was asked by Smart if he wanted to be made public. After giving it thought, Strong thought making his investment known could inspire others to give.
"Athletics is the front porch to the university," Strong said. "It's what people see first. It's the introduction to the university. This will be the face of Missouri State and it should be."
Strong is often seen next to the benches at Missouri State men's and women's basketball games. He's been in huddles and his goal has always been not to get a technical foul while trying to go unnoticed. Strong has done a good job at it so far but it'll be hard to ignore him after helping lift Missouri State into a new era of athletics.
More: Missouri State to Conference USA: Here's what it means as the Bears move to FBS
He can already picture the CUSA logo on the Great Southern Arena floor and the Plaster Stadium turf once the Bears start competition in their new league in 2025-26. Upon first sight, he knows it'll be the moment he won't forget.
"My chest is going to be filled with pride," Strong said. "We're going to be on national TV and our games are going to be in the middle of the week so we won't have Alabama playing during the same afternoon we are and we'll be the show. People are going to see us from coast to coast. This is a big deal."
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri State to Conference USA: Attorney donates to join league
