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.