Living in Springfield

The community of Springfield and the Ozarks supports Missouri State by attending campus events, cheering Bears sports, and interacting through many other activities.

Missouri State also supports the community through its statewide mission in public affairs. Community outreach programs through public affairs research centers, distance learning courses, public broadcasting, and telecommunication linkages with other metropolitan universities utilize faculty expertise and skills to address state and community problems.

Springfield and the Ozarks

The city of Springfield, Missouri, and the surrounding Ozarks provide numerous services and activities to meet the needs of its citizens. Missouri's third largest city is within a 500-mile radius of nearly 50 percent of the U.S. population.

Among the entertainment perks, Springfield supports a symphony, ballet, art museum, civic theater and even an opera. The Juanita K. Hammons Hall for Performing Arts brings Broadway plays and internationally known entertainers to campus. Less than a mile from campus, downtown is the scene for live music. On any given weekend, there may be 30 or more bands playing around town.

If you are a shopping enthusiast, Battlefield Mall is the place for you. It's one of the largest indoor shopping centers in the state, with more than 150 stores. Around town, there are nearly 1,500 retail outlets to match your shopping interests. Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, one of Missouri's largest tourist attractions, is the place to get your gear for outdoor fun. You can trek next door to the new American National Fish and Wildlife Museum to explore some of the native species, as well as a few thousand others.

Springfield's indoor ice-skating rink has brought a new dimension of indoor entertainment to the area. You can enjoy recreational skating or cheer on the Missouri State Ice Bears. Springfield's professional baseball team, the Springfield Cardinals, offers an opportunity to enjoy quality, professional baseball on a student's budget. The Cardinals team is the St. Louis Cardinal's AA affiliate and a member of the Texas League of professional baseball clubs, while the Ice Bears are a part of the American Collegiate Hockey Association.

Use the helpful links below to discover for yourself why Springfield and the Ozarks are a great place to call home.