North End Zone Facility at MSSU renamed for late state senator

Nov. 10—The North End Zone Facility at Missouri Southern State University's Fred G. Hughes Stadium in Joplin got a new name on Friday, one honoring a former Joplin mayor, state representative and state senator.

The Board of Governors voted unanimously to rename the structure that houses athletic offices, locker rooms, medical facilities and meeting rooms the Ron Richard Athletic Center.

A formal naming ceremony, along with signs associating the building with Richard, will take place in early 2024.

Richard, who was himself a MSSU board member, died on June 9, 2023. He had been appointed to that post in 2019.

The request for the naming honor came in a letter from Richard friend Joplin business leader Dan Stanley, who spoke to the board at its meeting on Friday in support of the action.

"Ron Richard was a true American patriot, and in fact, he was born on July 4," Stanley said. "One of Joplin's favorite events is the Fourth of July celebration at the university, where thousands come and enjoy food, fellowship, fireworks and patriotic music. The evening renews our spirits and love of our beloved country, a wonderful event to celebrate and honor Ron Richard in that particular location."

Stanley said the North End Zone Facility was appropriate because Richard was a competitor.

"He competed every day to see the best ideas embraced and adopted in business and government and in every organization in which he served and led," Stanley said. "To look out on the football field and the track facilities and the baseball field and the softball field and watch the intense competition, personal sacrifice and total dedication of every athlete and every team is something that Ron would relish. It is the perfect setting to associate with Ron Richard.

Richard's wife, Patty, attended the meeting with Stanley and voiced appreciation of the board's unanimous vote.

"It's wonderful," she said. "He loved Missouri Southern from the time he was a student out here. He's always been involved in one way or another and always trying to help Missouri Southern. He would be very surprised but very honored, and so am I."

Anita Oplotnik, who chairs the board, said Richard's service more than justified renaming the structure.

"The North End Zone is a very visible and active facility on Missouri Southern's campus, so it is fitting that this facility will be renamed for Ron Richard, who was extremely visible and active in our community," Oplotnik said. "He loved Joplin and he loved Southern, and we're honored to be able to recognize and remember him in this meaningful way."

In a related item, the board welcomed former Joplin Mayor Michael Seibert to his first meeting as a governor.

Seibert was appointed by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson in September to fill out Richard's remaining term until 2025.

Seibert works in the pharmaceutical industry and served two terms as Joplin's mayor. He, too, is a Missouri Southern graduate.

"It's truly an honor to fill this role although our hearts still are broken for why I'm here," he said. "In a lot of ways, I've followed Sen. Richard. I can never fill those shoes, but my hope is I can follow in those footsteps. We have a lot in common. The senator and I were both born on the Fourth of July. We grew up here in Joplin together, we both are Southern graduates. Both have a passion for this university and for the city, both obviously served on City Council and both were mayors."

In other business Friday, the board approved proposals to begin a Master of Science degree in sports and recreation management and a graduate certificate program in artificial intelligence. Dean Van Galen, MSSU president, said these programs would fulfill a need within the region and community and would provide additional career opportunities to those interested in the programs. The programs will also potentially boost enrollment, he said.