Former Murray State University Associate Athletic Director for Communications and current Voice of the Racers, Dave Winder, was a guest of the Early Bird Show on Thursday morning.
Winder gave an update on the renovation to the CFSB Center and talked about the women’s and men’s basketball programs, and the Racers’ football program.
Work started at the CFSB Center as soon as the 2025-26 basketball season ended, and Winder said construction is moving quickly. Once construction is finished, Winder said the arena will be one of the nicest basketball venues around.
Two of the top mid-major basketball programs in the country will call the upgraded CFSB home in 2026-27.
The Murray State women’s team has won two straight Missouri Valley Conference championships. League MVP Hallie Pook, league leader in double-doubles Sharnecce Currie-Jelks, Keslyn Secrist, and Haven Ford are all set to return for their senior seasons. Winder said Head Coach Rechelle Turner has also signed several key players that will improve the team next season.
The men’s team is coming off a 20-13 season that saw the Racers make the National Invitational Tournament in Head Coach Ryan Miller’s first year.
Winder said some of the key components of this year’s team are returning, but the Racers also have picked up some key transfers.
Murray State will begin its 102nd football season and 54th at Roy Stewart Stadium this fall. The 2026 season begins Aug. 27 at home against Eastern Illinois.
The Racers have struggled since moving into the Missouri Valley Conference, which had five teams make the FCS Playoffs last season. Murray is 2-22 overall and 1-15 in the conference the last two seasons.
However, Winder said the Racers should be improved in 2026.
Winder also said renovations were made to Johnny Reagan Field during the offseason and that Murray will be the host site for the Missouri Valley Conference Baseball Tournament May 20-23.