Longtime MSU athletics director announces retirement

Bill Rowe has been director of athletics since 1982 and, starting as a student, has been associated with the school for more than 50 years, according to a news release. His past roles have included head baseball coach, athletics business manager and assistant athletics director. As an undergraduate, he was student trainer and, later, assistant football and track coach.

During Rowe’s tenure, the men’s and women’s intercollegiate teams have made 46 trips to the NCAA championships. He was inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994, the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2004, the release said.

“Coach Rowe has been an integral part of our university and the many successes of its athletics department for almost five decades,” MSU President Michael Nietzel said in the release. “I have never met anyone as loyal and committed to a university as Bill Rowe has been for Missouri State. He has given his heart to this university.”

Nietzel also said he is discussing with Rowe a way for him to continue to serve MSU in some capacity after he retires.

The search for Rowe’s replacement will begin in October. MSU Vice President for University Advancement Brent Dunn will chair a search committee, and a full committee member list will be released within a few days, the release said. The school plans to announce a new athletics director in the spring.[[In-content Ad]]