The Missouri State University and Springfield, MO.              

– A Championship Location:                                                    

Springfield is ideally situated for national competition as it is near the geographic center of the lower 48 states.                 Springfield, which was named by Sports Illustrated as Missouri’s top sports town, is the state’s third-largest city.  With a    population within the city limits of 198,000 and a Metropolitan Statistical Area including over 398,000 the city has the         resources to host major events.  Springfield is a one-of-a-kind city for meetings, conventions and recreation.  Nearly 50      percent of the U.S. population lives within a 500-mile radius of Springfield.  Offering over 6,000 hotel rooms as well as       ample convention space, Springfield has consistently been ranked by the "Corporate Travel Index" as one of the least        expensive convention cities in the nation.  Easy access via major highways, interstates and the recently-expanded              Springfield National Airport allows Springfield to be a prime special event destination.  In one of the country's most scenic  regions, Springfield and the Ozarks offer fabulous entertainment, great attractions and wonderful shopping.                     

Springfield’s weather is mild for a Midwest city.  For the NCAA Championship weekend average highs are 54 degrees with a low of 33.  A chance for snow is extremely uncommon at that time of the year in southwest Missouri.

Getting to Springfield is easy.  The city is located in the southwest region of Missouri and is a short drive from cities such    as Kansas City, Mo., St. Louis, Mo, Tulsa, Okla. and Fayetteville, Ark.                                                                              

The Springfield National Airport (SGF) is one of the fastest growing air hubs in the nation.  With more than 50 daily departures the airport is serviced by Allegiant Air, American Connection, American Eagle, Delta Connection, Northwest Airlines, and United Express. SGF recently completed construction of a brand new terminal that has brought even greater air access to the area.  A new Branson Airport, serviced by AirTran and Sun Country Air, opened in May just 45 minutes away.

Known as the destination airport for nearby tourist mecca Branson and the Ozark Mountain Country, Springfield-Branson National Airport is the regional hub for one-stop flights to more than 400 destinations, including 18 foreign cities.  In 2005 a record number 900,000 passengers passed through SGF’s gates.  SGF’s list of non-stop cities continues to grow as SGF currently offers non-stop travel to 12 destinations including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas / Ft. Worth, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, Memphis, Minneapolis, Orland, Phoenix, St. Louis and Tampa.

Springfield is serviced by most major rental car companies including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty.  The area also features service by multiple charter bus companies such as Branson Shuttle, Fisk Transportation, Grey Line, Show-Me Coaches and White Knight Bus Lines with buses seating 18 to 58 passengers available including entertainment and sleeper coaches.  In addition to the national companies Springfield’s Fisk Transportation provides an extensive fleet of rental vans in sizes of 7, 10, 12 and 15 passengers sure to keep the supply above visiting team’s demands.  Enterprise also features rental of 15 passenger vans.

For those traveling by ground Springfield can be accessed by several four lane highways and interstates including Interstate-44, and Missouri Highway’s 13, 60, and 65 which provide easy access from any direction.  

Below are distances from various major cities and Midwest university cities and towns:

Once you arrive in Springfield your stay will be comfortable.  Springfield, Mo has over 6,000 hotel rooms, with accommodations as close as one mile from the competition facility.  Not that Springfield’s hotel offerings should ever come up short several surrounding cities, including Branson, Mo. and Marshfield, Mo, can provide significant additional lodging.  The number of hotel offerings in the Springfield area should allow teams and spectators to always find an affordable hotel rate regardless of demand.

A trio of hotels will serve as headquarters for the 2009 Midwest Regional hosted by Missouri State including the University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, the Ramada Oasis Hotel and Convention Center and the Doubletree Hotel.  All are providing special rates for teams and spectators.

In addition to hotel accommodations the University Plaza, located by the MSU campus and just five miles west of the Missouri State cross country facility via the four-lane Chestnut Expressway features 43,000 square feet of meeting space.  Another 112,000 square feet of meeting space is available directly across the street at the recently constructed Springfield Expo Center where banquets and meetings can be held.  Ample parking is available in this area at adjacent parking lots used for the Springfield Expo Center and Springfield’s “AA” Baseball Stadium.

From pre-race meals to post race celebrations restaurants and catering services of all kinds are in high supply in the Springfield area.  Most runners favorites are in town including Olive Garden, Zio’s, Macaroni Grill, Pasta House as well as many local favorites.  Runners will enjoy Springfield’s ban on smoking in its local restaurants.

A selection of restaurants of the category frequented by cross country teams: (Area code is 417)

The above list is just a small sample of the restaurants in Springfield. Contact the Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau for more (800) 678-8767.

While you are visiting Springfield there are a wide variety of attractions and entertainment options including downtown night life, movie theaters, live shows, shopping and more.  For night life each of the team hotels has a restaurant and bar or head downtown to South Avenue for bars, live music, coffee shops and art galleries.

 Some team friendly entertainment options include:

Contacts for general shopping and special needs: