WICHITA, Kan. --  Wichita State announced today it will host the 2017 Missouri Valley Conference Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championship after Missouri State withdrew as host due to increased construction costs and budgetary concerns centered around its javelin, shot put and hammer throw areas.
 
The MSU administration notified the conference office of its request Monday, and Wichita State has accepted the conference's offer to serve as host to the 2017 event in Cessna Stadium May 12-14.

"Our entire conference, coaches and student-athletes, were looking forward to competing at Missouri State," said Steve Rainbolt, Wichita State Head Track and Field Coach. "I feel bad for Missouri State's student-athletes and coaches that they are not able to host, and at the same time, we always enjoy the opportunity to host conference championships at Wichita State.

"This will be the third time in my tenure that the championship is in Wichita, and we are looking forward to having the conference coaches and student-athletes compete on campus again. I feel like a championship competition in Cessna Stadium is a special event, and we will certainly do everything we can to see it happens again this spring."

Wichita State last hosted the event in 2012, and also hosted in 2006, both times during Rainbolt's tenure. WSU has been the host to the MVC Outdoor Championship 16 times on the men's side since 1946, and five times on the women's side since 1983.
 
Missouri State's lack of a javelin throwing facility originally led the University to delay its turn in the hosting rotation from 2015 to 2017. When it was determined an adequate javelin area was not possible on the main MSU campus due to a lack of adequate space, University officials received an estimate of around $270,000 to build a javelin area for the MVC meet at Parkview High School, a mile from campus. It was later learned that MSU would also have to substantially overhaul and level its current shot put, discus and hammer throwing area adjacent to the track stadium to meet MVC and NCAA postseason specifications. Proposals for constructing both facilities in time for the May 11-14, 2017 MVC meet raised the total cost of the project to nearly $600,000, according to a release from the school.

MSU head coach Ron Boyce said his student-athletes were notified of the decision at a team meeting Tuesday night, "The team is extremely disappointed that we are unable to host the MVC Championship meet," said Boyce. "I certainly understand and respect why the final decision was made. We as a team and staff are faced with the very difficult task of moving forward and setting our sights on competing and taking care of our student-athletes as best as possible."

"The University has been committed to making this work and providing the resources to create a championship-caliber facility on our campus," said Missouri State Director of Athletics Kyle Moats. "The cooperation from Springfield Public Schools and the many others who have worked tirelessly to keep this dream alive for us is greatly appreciated. However, in light of our University's recent budget challenges, we have to be realistic about how far we can go. I am heartbroken for our team. They deserve an opportunity to host this meet and show off their track and their campus to the rest of the league. It is a matter of pride for them, and I am disappointed for them."