JOPLIN, Mo. – The Lion Pride Giving Challenge is back for 2026, and we're calling on alumni, fans, and supporters to make a lasting impact on Missouri Southern Athletics.
From February 23 to March 2, each MSSU athletic program will strive to meet specific fundraising goals set by their head coaches. These funds will directly enhance the student-athlete experience by providing essential resources for training, competition, travel, and overall success.
"We are excited to launch our 2026 Lion Pride Giving Challenge, which has become a critical engagement and fundraising tool for our department, having raised more than $225,000 from more than 500 donors over the past two years," MSSU Director of Athletics
Rob Mallory said of the initiative. "These gifts have a direct impact on the experience we are able to provide our student-athletes. No gift is too small, and even a like or share on social media can have an impact!"
Supporters can make their gifts during the week-long challenge to help their favorite Southern programs reach their goals and continue building championship experiences for Lion student-athletes.
How can you help?
Follow and share – Engage with your favorite teams on social media and spread the word.
Make a gift – Every contribution moves us closer to our goals.
Challenge others – Encourage fellow Lions to step up and give back.
Missouri Southern will also be hosting Give Back Days at both Club 609 (609 S Main St) on Feb. 24 and Raising Cane's (1237 S Rangeline Rd) on Feb. 25 from 4-9 p.m., where proceeds of sales will benefit MSSU.
Your support fuels our teams both on and off the field. Together, we can make a difference. Below is a list of sport-specific fundraising challenges, along with details on how you can follow each team's progress and engage with them on social media.
The Baseball Challenge
Help us raise $20,000 to invest in AWRE player development technology—advancing how our student-athletes train and perform.
Follow | Share | Donate
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mssubaseball
X: @mssubaseball
Instagram: @mssubaseball
Donate Here: https://www.mssu.edu/advancement/giving/baseball-giving.php
The Cheer Challenge
Support our cheer team as they reach new heights! We're raising $10,000 to provide the essential training equipment and updated uniforms our student-athletes need to perform at their best while proudly cheering on the MSSU Lions.
Follow | Share | Donate
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missourisouthernlioncheer/
Instagram: @mosolioncheer
Donate Here: https://www.mssu.edu/advancement/giving/giving-to-cheer.php
The Southern Gold Dance Team Challenge
We're raising $10,000 to elevate the student-athlete experience by funding essential training and top-tier equipment. Your support empowers our dancers to train harder, perform stronger, and shine at their very best!
Follow | Share | Donate
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missourisoutherngolddance/
Instagram: @mosogolddance
Donate Here: https://www.mssu.edu/advancement/giving/giving-to-dance.php
The Football Challenge
Fuel the Lions for victory! Help us raise $25,000 to support Football Summer Nutrition and Summer Aid—helping student-athletes meet their nutritional needs while also providing assistance to enroll in summer classes, ensuring they are prepared academically and physically for fall competition.
Follow | Share | Donate
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mosofootball/
X: @mosofootball
Instagram: @mssufootball
Donate Here: https://www.mssu.edu/advancement/giving/football-giving.php
The Women's & Men's Golf Challenge
Help us raise $15,000 for technology upgrades in the MSSU Golf indoor practice facility, providing advanced training tools that allow our student-athletes to train year-round and elevate their performance.
Follow | Share | Donate
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MOSOGOLF/
X: @mssugolf
Instagram: @mssugolf
Donate Here: https://www.mssu.edu/advancement/giving/giving-to-golf.php
The Men's Basketball Challenge
Help us raise $20,000 to elevate the student-athlete experience—supporting travel, equipment, and nutrition needs for our Lions.
Follow | Share | Donate
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mssumbb/
X: @mssumensbball
Instagram: @mssumensbball
Donate Here: https://www.mssu.edu/advancement/giving/giving-to-mens-basketball.php
The Soccer Challenge
Elevate the game for MSSU Women's Soccer! Help us raise $15,000 to enhance the student-athlete experience— travel, equipment, nutrition needs and supporting field maintenance for our Lions.
Follow | Share | Donate
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MSSUsoccer/
X: @mssusoccer
Instagram: @mssusoccer
Donate Here: https://www.mssu.edu/advancement/giving/giving-to-soccer.php
The Softball Challenge
Support MSSU Softball and help our student-athletes shine! Help us raise $20,000 to power up the Lion Softball experience — from travel and equipment to nutrition and player support.
Follow | Share | Donate
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MOSOsoftball/
X: @mssusoftball
Instagram: @moso_softball
Donate Here: https://www.mssu.edu/advancement/giving/softball-giving.php
The Women's & Men's Cross Country and Track & Field Challenge
Help MSSU Track & Field and Cross Country reach new heights! Help us raise $10,000. Gifts to this challenge help provide top-quality training equipment, competition gear, and team apparel—ensuring our student-athletes have what they need to train, compete, and succeed.
Follow | Share | Donate
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissouriSouthernWomensXcTrackField/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissouriSouthernXcTrackField/
X: @mosoxctf
Instagram: @mosoxctf
Donate Here: https://www.mssu.edu/advancement/giving/winged-foot-club.php
The Volleyball Challenge
Help us raise $10,000 to enhance the student-athlete experience—supporting the tools, resources, and opportunities our Lions need to train, compete, and succeed.
Follow | Share | Donate
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MSSUVolleyball/
X: @mssuvb
Instagram: @mssuvb
Donate Here: https://www.mssu.edu/advancement/giving/giving-to-volleyball.php
The Women's Basketball Challenge
Boost MSSU Women's Basketball to the next level! Join us in raising $20,000 to provide our Lions with the resources they need to compete at their best- covering travel, equipment, and nutrition essentials.
Follow | Share | Donate
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MSSUwbb/
X: @mssuwbb
Instagram: @mssuwbb
Donate Here: https://www.mssu.edu/advancement/giving/womensbasketball.php
The Strength & Conditioning Challenge
Raise $50,000 to support Strength & Conditioning. This will provide critical equipment and facility upgrades that expand training capacity, improve safety, and elevate performance for Missouri Southern student-athletes.
Every gift helps our Lions train stronger, compete harder, and represent MSSU at their very best.
Donate Here: https://www.mssu.edu/advancement/giving/giving-to-strength-conditioning.php
