ST. LOUIS – SIUE men’s soccer will return to the Missouri Valley Conference beginning with the 2021 season as announced by MVC Commissioner Doug Elgin and SIUE Director of Athletics Tim Hall Friday.
"We're pleased to welcome SIU Edwardsville back to our Conference as an affiliate in men's soccer," Elgin commented. "The program has a championship pedigree, having won our regular-season title in 2015 and two additional tournament championships. The addition of SIUE is a natural fit. The dedication to men's soccer in Edwardsville will enhance an already strong and talented conference. We're excited to have them back."
“The Missouri Valley Conference makes a lot of sense with regards to regional rivalries and travel considerations,” Hall said. “We prioritize the student-athlete experience at SIUE and we believe the move back to the MVC will be very beneficial in that regard.”
SIUE previously played as affiliate member in the conference from 2010-2016. The Cougars amassed a record of 25-13-7 in seven seasons. SIUE won a pair of tournament championships, one regular season title and appeared in the championship game of the MVC tournament five times in seven seasons.
“The Missouri Valley brand is very recognizable in the Metro East and within the region,” Hall added. “SIUE has a great soccer tradition and part of that tradition is within the Missouri Valley. It is exciting to think about rekindling that.”
“It is exciting to get back to the Missouri Valley Conference for the program,” SIUE Head Coach Cale Wassermann said.
“Soccer fans here at SIUE, in the Metro East, and in the St. Louis area are very familiar with the conference as well our MVC opponents which will make for some great rivalry matches and entertaining game environments.”
The Cougars have spent the past three seasons as an affiliate member of the Mid-American Conference, appearing all three seasons in the MAC Tournament. SIUE is slated to play its final MAC season in 2020.
“There are trophies in our locker room and in the office from our previous Cougar teams who have battled and won in the MVC and we are proud to carry with us that history and to continue that tradition,” Wassermann added. “The MVC is a tough conference with programs and coaches who we highly respect. I know how difficult it will be but I could not be more excited for the future of Cougar men’s soccer.”
SIUE men’s soccer has made 15 appearances in the NCAA Division I championship and 23 NCAA tournament appearances overall. The Cougars won an NCAA Division I National Championship in 1979. The Cougars were national runners-up in 1975, finished third in 1977 and were national semifinalists in 1982. SIUE also captured the College Division National Title in 1972, was runner-up at the Division II level in 2004 and a semifinalist in 2005.
The Missouri Valley Conference has a strong men's soccer history, including 47 All-America selections, four national players of the year, over 200 professional soccer players, 49 NCAA Tournament appearances and six NCAA College Cup trips. In 2016, SIUE reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen following advancements over Michigan State and Butler, before falling to eventual national runner-up Wake Forest. This past year, The Valley sent multiple teams to the NCAA Tournament for the 17th time in league history as Loyola Chicago and Missouri State earned bids. The Bears advanced in the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history with a 1-0 win over Denver and finished the season ranked 16th nationally.
The addition of SIUE increases MVC men's soccer membership to six teams. Current men's soccer league members include: Bradley University, Drake University, the University of Evansville, Loyola University, and Missouri State University.