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A momentous Bear Bash tradition

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Celebrating four decades of camaraderie and competition, the Bear Bash has become more than just a handball tournament.  

It honors tradition and community support for Missouri State University’s Hall of Fame Handball Program. This handball competition remains a top one in the Midwest, drawing participants from colleges nationwide. 

It was renamed in 2022 to honor the late Dr. Thomas Burnett and preserve his impactful legacy. A hall of fame coach, he founded Missouri State’s handball program. 

A successful and meaningful competition  

The competition from Nov. 8-10, 2024, brought together 120 participants, marking the highest attendance since pre-pandemic times.  

There were 16 divisions with players ranging from teens to older adults. They included current and former professional players and freshmen who only started playing recently. 

Matches started on Nov. 8 and concluded on Nov. 10 with the crowning of champions in all 16 divisions. A victory in the Men’s B Doubles Championship by Doug Randolph and Hayden Hopkins was especially memorable.

Randolph, who is from the Randolph Foundation for Higher Education, made a $1 million donation to the handball program last year in honor of Burnett. Hopkins is Burnett’s grandson and a senior sport and recreation administration major at Missouri State. 

“Playing and winning with Randolph was very special to me, as he donated in my grandfather’s name to honor his legacy,” Hopkins said.

Left to right: Hayden Hopkins, Doug Randolph, Alexandro Snyder and Ashley Fuselier.
Left to right: Hayden Hopkins, Doug Randolph, Alexandro Snyder and Ashley Fuselier

Honoring a transformative gift 

Randolph’s generous donation helps to ensure the handball program’s long-term sustainability. 

On Nov. 9, a banquet at Hotel Vandivort celebrated Randolph’s contribution.  

“This event not only honors 40 years of achievements, but also strengthens the foundation for the program’s future,” said Brent Dunn, vice president for university advancement.  

At the banquet, Sam Hall, a senior in nursing major and the team’s current president, received a scholarship for his exceptional leadership of the handball program.  

The banquet also included inspiring speeches reflecting on the program’s past and its hopeful direction forward. A “pass the mic” session allowed alumni and players to share their stories and program memories. 

“This program didn’t just shape my skills — it shaped my life,” shared one alumnus during the session. “The friendships, lessons and memories I’ve gained here will stay with me forever.” 

Securing a strong future 

According to Christian Madsen, head coach of the handball team, Randolph’s donation highlights the program’s deep community connection and secures its future.  

He works with Jeni Hopkins, a faculty advisor and Burnett’s daughter, to guide the program. Hopkins also serves as assistant director of Greenwood Lab School. 

“Doug Randolph’s generosity ensures this program continues to provide opportunities for students to grow, connect and thrive,” said Hopkins. As a family member and as an alum, we’re so appreciative for Mr. Randolph and the generosity of his foundation to Missouri State.” 

Explore the MSU Handball Program

Receiving a life-changing gift

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For two students from McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS), their financial burdens are now a little lighter thanks to the 2024 MarooNation Springfield student scholarships.

Riley Laub and Carlos Abrams received their scholarships at the MarooNation Ball Springfield on Oct. 8 at the Old Glass Place

Laub is in the first year of the physician assistant studies (PA) graduate program and Abrams is a junior majoring in psychology and minoring in human resource management at Missouri State University.

Deserving recipients

From Republic, Missouri, Laub completed her undergraduate degree at University of Missouri. She returned to Springfield to pursue the PA program at Missouri State.

Riley Laub
Riley Laub

“I chose the PA program here because Springfield is home. Once I toured the program and met the faculty, I realized what a supportive environment I would be in,” Laub said.

She added that her favorite part about Missouri State is the close relationships she has formed.

While she is keeping an open mind, Laub’s dream job is to work in a Level 1 trauma center.

“I love the fast pace and the unpredictability that environment brings. Just thinking about it excites me,” she said.

Born in Springfield, Abrams moved to Kansas City around the age of 5. He returned to Springfield during his freshman year of high school.

When he toured Missouri State, he felt drawn to the campus.

“When I took a tour here, something about Missouri State felt different than any other campus I’d toured before. I looked around and I realized I could call it home,” Abrams said.

His favorite thing about Missouri State is the opportunities for involvement. He is a research lab assistant for one of the university’s retention teams.

Carlos Abrams
Carlos Abrams

“We’re tasked with improving retention, especially among freshmen. One of the main factors we keep coming across is that involvement is key to everything,” Abrams said. “When people feel like a place is home and they’re emotionally attached to something, they’re a lot more likely to care about it and I think that’s true with the students at Missouri State.”

He is also a Theta Chi Fraternity member and former executive, Order of Omega Honor Society president, Society for Human Resource Management president, Student Government Association Chief Wyrick commissioner and Student Mobilization member.

As part of the talent and strategic operations team at Forvis Mazars in Springfield, Abrams is gaining valuable work experience.

“After graduation, I want to be an industrial and organizational psychologist and what I’m doing now is extremely relevant,” he said.

Giving changes students’ lives

The generosity of alumni, friends and community members opens doors and creates opportunities for Missouri State students like Laub and Abrams to chase their goals and ambitions.

For the first time ever, more than $4 million dollars in privately funded MSU Foundation scholarships have been awarded to students this academic year.

“It can sometimes be a thankless job to donate funds to students you may never get to see or meet. But behind the scenes in our lives as people who receive these donations and scholarships, it helps a lot,” Abrams said. It takes a lot of stress off to not have the financial burden constantly. So, I just want to say thank you.”

While she completes PA school, Laub is living with her dad to save money.

“I won’t be able to work for a while and thinking about the debt I already have from undergrad, it’s very stressful,” she said. “But I’ve gotten this awesome scholarship, which relieves a lot of stress. It allows me to focus on my bigger priorities right now.”

To find out more about how you can empower students’ dreams and shape their futures, visit the MSU Foundation website.

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