Missouri State University’s football team is set to embark on a demanding travel schedule this fall, with the school’s Board of Governors recently giving the green light to a new air‑charter agreement that will fund the Bulldogs’ road excursions.
Charter contract details
Under the agreement, the program will enlist Shorts Travel Management to provide charter flights for six away contests, a partnership that reflects the university’s commitment to competitive scheduling while managing logistics.
The financial imprint of the deal is substantial: the board projects total air‑travel expenses of roughly $669,750 for the entire slate of road games, a figure that underscores the growing cost of intercollegiate athletics.
Geography will test the team’s endurance, as the longest leg of the journey spans more than 2,500 miles round‑trip to Miami, Florida, where the Bears will meet Florida International University on November 7.
The season’s opening act arrives even earlier, with a September 5 showdown at Texas A&M marking the first of many out‑of‑state trips.
Season outlook
Beyond the Miami excursion, the schedule includes a series of regional battles that will shape the Bears’ conference standing, each requiring careful coordination of travel and preparation.
Athletic officials say the charter service will allow the team to arrive at venues refreshed, reducing the fatigue often associated with long bus rides and enabling focus on performance.
Fans can expect a packed itinerary, with each away game bringing its own set of challenges and opportunities for the program to showcase its depth.