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Wichita Falls Today
By the People, for the People
Midwestern State Soccer Team Honored with Community Parade
Wichita Falls celebrates NCAA Division II championship with civic pride
Published on Feb. 11, 2026
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The recent parade honoring Midwestern State University's (MSU) 2025 NCAA Division II Men's Soccer National Championship was more than just an athletic celebration. It showcased the growing trend of increased local investment and community support for college sports programs, especially at smaller institutions like MSU. The parade, which stretched from Sikes Center to Stang Park, featured a unified front of local leaders, businesses, and organizations, underscoring the recognition of the team's accomplishment as a collective win for Wichita Falls.
Why it matters
This event highlights how successful athletic programs can contribute to a university's role as an economic driver in its region, boosting tourism, enhancing the institution's reputation, and fostering a sense of community pride. The inclusion of past coaches and athletes also emphasizes the importance of legacy building and inspiring current and future generations of athletes.
The details
The parade featured participation from local law enforcement, city officials like Wichita Falls Mayor Tim Short, representatives from the Boys and Girls Club, and leadership from Sheppard Air Force Base. Local businesses, such as Invenergy, also showed their support by presenting the team with a new travel kit. The unique gesture of awarding each player a Key to the City by Mayor Short is a powerful symbol of the city's commitment to celebrating the team's achievement and fostering a sense of belonging.
- The MSU Men's Soccer team won the NCAA Division II National Championship in December 2025.
- Mayor Tim Short declared February 7th 'Midwestern State Men's Soccer Championship Day'.
The players
Midwestern State University (MSU)
A public university located in Wichita Falls, Texas, that fields a successful NCAA Division II men's soccer team.
Tim Short
The mayor of Wichita Falls, Texas, who awarded each member of the MSU men's soccer team a Key to the City to celebrate their national championship.
Invenergy
A local business that presented the MSU men's soccer team with a new travel kit to show their support for the championship-winning program.
Howard Patterson
A former head coach of the MSU men's soccer team, who was included in the parade to honor the program's legacy.
Doug Elder
Another former head coach of the MSU men's soccer team, who was included in the parade to honor the program's legacy.
What’s next
The unique gesture of awarding each member of the soccer team a Key to the City by Mayor Tim Short is a powerful symbol of civic pride and recognition. This model of integrated support and community engagement can be replicated by other universities seeking to build successful athletic programs and strengthen their ties with the surrounding community.
The takeaway
This event showcases how successful college sports programs can serve as a unifying force, fostering a sense of community pride and contributing to the local economy. By prioritizing strong relationships with businesses, government, and community organizations, universities can replicate MSU's success and leverage their athletic achievements to drive broader engagement and support.
