Mules gridiron success leads to larger crowds

(WARRENSBURG, Mo.) - Over the past three seasons, the Central Missouri State University Mules football team has put together a 29-6 record, the best mark over any school in Missouri and the best record of all 10 schools in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. Central Missouri has made a pair of post-season appearances and won a share of the MIAA title in that span, results that have bred renewed excitement in the program.

That was never more evident than when the NCAA released its 2004 football figures and showed the Mules boast the 11^th largest average attendance of the roughly 150 football-playing schools in NCAA Division II. Central’s average of 7,400 fans in 2004 was second-largest in the MIAA.

In the season opener, 6700 fans saw the Mules dump Lincoln University 37-13. 5200 fans attended the Mules 75-6 win over Langston, 8200 came out for Central’s 50-7 drubbing of Missouri Southern, and 5500 saw the Mules defeat Missouri-Rolla 73-21. Twice during the season the Mules drew 9000 fans–October 25 when 9800 were at homecoming for the Mules 28-22 win over Truman, and November 8 when 9000 were in attendance to see Central battle Pittsburg State (the Gorillas won a thriller, 28-24).

The Mules tentatively open their 2004 campaign at Lincoln University on September 4, and then come home for a battle with MIAA rival Northwest Missouri State University on September 11.

CONTACT: JOE MOORE, (660) 543-4312