The Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) is a NCAA Division II conference that has been around since 1958. The conference consists of ten member institutions, with schools in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin competing in football, men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, golf, track & field, and volleyball. The conference is home to some of the most successful and most distinguished programs in NCAA Division II competition. Throughout its history, the MSFA has produced numerous athletic accomplishments, established numerous rivalries, and has had a significant impact on the local, national, and international sports scenes.
History of the Mid-States Football Association
The MSFA was originally founded as the Mid-States Intercollegiate Football Conference in 1958. The founding schools included Central State (Ohio), Eastern Michigan, Ferris State (Michigan), Grand Valley State (Michigan), Lake Superior State (Michigan), Murray State (Kentucky), Northern Michigan, Tiffin (Ohio), Wilmington (Ohio) and Wisconsin–Platteville.
In 1973, the conference changed its name to the Mid-States Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (MSIAA). The conference adopted its current name in 1994, becoming the Mid-States Football Association.
Member Institutions
The MSFA is currently composed of ten member institutions:
- Central State (Ohio)
- Eastern Illinois
- Ferris State (Michigan)
- Grand Valley State (Michigan)
- Lake Superior State (Michigan)
- Murray State (Kentucky)
- Northern Michigan
- Southern Illinois-Edwardsville
- Tiffin (Ohio)
- Wisconsin–Platteville
Sports Competed
The ten MSFA institutions compete in football, men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, golf, track & field, and volleyball. Moreover, most institutions are also involved in other sports including soccer, tennis, and softball.
Notable Achievements & Rivalries
The MSFA has produced several noteworthy achievements over the years, including dozens of individual and team conference titles, a handful of NCAA Division II individual championships, and one NCAA Division II Team Championship in 2007 (Ferris State, NCAA Division Football).
In addition to success on the field, the MSFA also has a strong rivalry among its members, with teams like Central State, Eastern Illinois, Murray State, and Wisconsin-Platteville being the main rivals. These rivalries often lead to heated competition, with bragging rights and conference championships often on the line.
Mid-States Football Association Operations & Governance
The MSFA is governed by a six-member Executive Committee, consisting of the university presidents, athletic directors, and faculty athletic representatives of each member institution. The Conference President is the official representative, and is typically responsible for setting the agenda for the conference meetings and representing the member schools to NCAA in matters related to the MSFA. Each year the MSFA hosts several conference meetings and championship events, including the MSFA Championship, which determines the conference champion.
The MSFA also operates a football championship game, a basketball tournament, and a cross country invitational. The conference is also responsible for setting the schedule and determining the divisional alignments (North and South Divisions).
MSFA’s Impact on the Local, National and International Sports Scenes
The MSFA has had a significant impact on the local, national, and international sports scenes. The success of its teams and individuals has helped elevate the stature of Division II athletics, and has made the conference a viable option for student-athletes looking for a competitive collegiate environment. In addition, MSFA teams have produced numerous All-Americans and All-Conference players, as well as Olympic athletes, making a name for the conference on the national and international stage.
Looking Forward: The Future of the Mid-States Football Association
Recently, the MSFA has experienced an influx of new schools, as well as an increase in media coverage and recognition. For the first time in its history, the conference has added TV broadcast deals, and its teams have continued to produce, both on and off the field. All of these developments point to a bright future for the MSFA and its member institutions, and suggest that the conference will remain a top destination for Division II student-athletes for many years to come.
The MSFA is a conference on the rise, and its member schools have long been known for their exceptional athletic and academic success. With this in mind, it is clear that the future of the Mid-States Football Association is sure to be something special.