Missouri Baptist University Football: A History of the Spartans
The Missouri Baptist Spartans football team represents Missouri Baptist University in college football. As a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the Spartans compete in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) since 2023. This article explores the history of the Missouri Baptist University football program, from its inception to its current standing.
The Genesis of the Program
Missouri Baptist University's football program began competitive play in 2014. In March 2013, Missouri Baptist University announced the addition of a football program. The university recently celebrated its 50th year and the Spartans recently finished their first football season in the history of the university. While they finished 1-9, it was a starting point. The Spartans football team played in the MSFA until 2020.
Early Years and Inaugural Season
The MBU Spartans began their inaugural football season popping pads against the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks. Game two for Missouri Baptist kicked off in Fort Wayne, Ind., against the University of St. Francis. The Spartans recorded their first points in history, but walked off the field with another loss. Hungry for their first victory, the Spartans went on the hunt for the Bisons of Oklahoma Baptist University. After three games on the road, the Spartans hosted the William-Penn Statesmen for their inaugural home opener. The Spartans stepped across the Mississippi River for game five against the Lynx of Lindenwood University-Belleville. The Lynx controlled their silver and maroon gridiron, only allowing one touchdown to slip through their defense. Game six in Bolivar, Mo., was not any brighter for the Spartans. With the first win still evading the Spartans, they traveled to Indiana to face Division I Valparaiso University for game seven. The Spartans hurdled into their eighth game of the season with the Tiffin University Dragons. The Spartans invited fellow first-year program, Arizona Christian University for game nine. Homecoming for the Spartans and their head coach, Jason Burianek, could not have been more uplifting. They went head-to-head with Haskell Nations University and rose victorious from an 0-9 losing streak with a final score of 34-10. Missouri Baptist fell in their last game of the season, 66-7, to NCAA Division I Campbell University.
Home Field Advantage: From Christian Brothers to Spartan Field
Initially, the Spartans played their home games at nearby Christian Brothers College High School. However, this changed with the completion of Spartan Field in the spring of 2020. Spartan Field broke ground in 2014, with the help of Holland Construction Services and was originally used to host men's and women's lacrosse and soccer games, as well as football practices, until the track and stadium were completed.
Spartan Field features an 8-lane track, seating for 1000 spectators, and a 11,750 sq. ft. fieldhouse that holds the coaches offices, locker rooms, weight room, concession stand, and public bathrooms.
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Conference Affiliations: MSFA and HAAC
The Spartans football team originally competed in the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) until 2020. Later, the Spartans joined the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) during the 2023 season. Missouri Baptist University Football to Join the Heart of America Athletic Conference as an Associate Member in 2023.
Coaching Staff
The football program has seen several notable figures in its coaching staff:
- Clyde Simmons: A 15-year NFL veteran, served as the Defensive Line Coach in 2019.
- Charles Coe: Spent 13 years with the program from 2014-2025.
- Joe Bowden: A 9-year NFL veteran, served as Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach for four seasons (2017-2020).
- Marc Lillibridge: The 2nd Head Coach of Missouri Baptist University beginning in 2026. Lillibridge played five seasons in the NFL, including serving as a scout for the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs.
Missouri Baptist University Athletics
The Missouri Baptist Spartans are the athletic teams that represent Missouri Baptist University, located in St. Louis, Missouri, in intercollegiate sports as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the American Midwest Conference (AMC) for most of its sports since the 1986-87 academic year.
While its men's and women's lacrosse teams compete in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC), its men's volleyball team competes in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC).
Other sports facilities
Opened in 2011, the 1,000 seat gymnasium within the SRC is home to the Spartan men's and women's basketball, men's and women's volleyball, men's and women's wrestling, cheer, dance, and stunt teams. The basketball and volleyball also use the SRC as their practice facility. The SRC has coaches offices, 6 locker rooms, a Matrix fitness center, and Athletic Training Facility, and a running track.
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Muncy Gymnasium was the original home for the Spartan's sports teams.
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