SSUSA

Missouri Baptist University

Missouri Baptist University (MBU) is a private Christian university located in **St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1957, the university has developed into a well-respected institution offering a wide range of academic programs alongside highly competitive collegiate athletics. Key Facts 🎓 Founded: 1957 👨‍🎓 Students: ~5,000+ 📍 Location: St. Louis, Missouri 🏫 Campus Size: ~68 acres 📚 Programs: 50+ undergraduate and graduate programs ✝️ Institution Type: Private Christian University Missouri Baptist combines a close-knit campus environment with strong academic support, making it a popular destination for international student-athletes. Academics The university offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees with strong programs in areas such as: Business Administration Sport Management Education Criminal Justice Exercise Science Health Sciences MBU places emphasis on career preparation and leadership development, helping students transition successfully into professional careers after graduation. Athletics The Missouri Baptist Spartans compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as members of the American Midwest Conference (AMC). Missouri Baptist has built a strong reputation within NAIA athletics, particularly in soccer, where the program regularly competes for conference championships and national tournament spots. Athletes compete in modern facilities including Spartan Field, which hosts the university’s soccer programs. Campus & Student Life Located in the St. Louis metropolitan area, Missouri Baptist provides students with access to one of the largest cities in the Midwest while still maintaining a small, supportive campus environment. Students benefit from: Small class sizes and personalized instruction Strong international student community Access to internships and opportunities in St. Louis A competitive athletic culture within the NAIA St. Louis is also one of the historic soccer cities in the United States, now home to St. Louis City SC in Major League Soccer, creating an excellent environment for players pursuing the sport.

Another great Scholarship Sports USA success story is Jack Griffiths from Horsham, England, who successfully transferred to continue both his graduate studies and collegiate soccer career in the United States.

Jack is not only a talented defender, but also a well-known YouTube creator, documenting his college soccer journey on his channel Griff, where he has built a following of over 50,000 subscribers sharing the realities of life as a student-athlete in the U.S.

Jack initially came to us in late 2021 looking for help securing a transfer from Drury University after learning that funding for his Master’s degree program had been reduced. With two years of eligibility remaining, Jack wanted to find a new school where he could continue competing while completing his graduate studies.

His request was clear and personal — with family based in the St. Louis area, Jack hoped to remain close to them while continuing to play college soccer. This helped narrow the search to a number of schools in St. Louis and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Thanks to SSUSA’s network of college coaches and our understanding of Jack’s level and academic goals, we worked through several conversations and negotiations before successfully placing him at Missouri Baptist University, located in the heart of St. Louis.

On the field, Jack has enjoyed a strong collegiate career. Prior to his transfer he competed at Drury, appearing in 18 matches with 17 starts in 2022, logging over 1,200 minutes. His performances earned him recognition including:

🏆 All-AMC First Team (2023)
📚 Academic All-AMC
🤝 AMC Champion of Character

Jack originally began his U.S. college soccer journey when he signed with Missouri State University in 2018 before continuing his development through multiple programs.

Off the field, Jack continues to document the experience of playing and studying in the United States, giving thousands of aspiring players insight into the U.S. college soccer pathway.

We’re incredibly proud to have helped Jack find the right situation to complete his graduate degree while continuing his football journey.

Congratulations Jack 👏⚽

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