ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - "Field Trip With the Griffs" is back and way bigger than before.

 MoWest  will host its 2nd Annual "Education Day" basketball games on December 15th at 16th, with 11:00am tip-offs for both contests. An estimated 5,000 students from 37 area elementary schools will be in attendance over the two games, which features the Griffon women versus Livin' The Dream on December 15th, and the Griffon men taking on Avila University on December 16th.

The event follows up and doubles down on 2024's inaugural "Education Day", which saw more than 2,100 students from 17 area schools pack Looney for a Griffon men's game.

"We knew based on the energy and excitement of last year's game, that we had established a new tradition," said Ryan Menley, MWSU Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Relations. "Expanding Education Day to a two-day event allows us to expand our reach beyond St. Joseph and welcome our friends from the surrounding counties."

"The response has been overwhelming."

The women's "SJSD Education Day" game is presented by Lehr Construction and will feature select grades from all 17 St. Joseph School District elementary and middle schools. Select grades and classes earned the field trip as part of SJSD's attendance initiative. 

The men's "Midland Empire Education Day" game is presented by Moffet Nursery and Garden Shop and will welcome 2,700 students from 20 elementary and middle schools from eight surrounding counties.

Admission is free to all participating schools. Each student will receive a free rally towel, which will double as a free season ticket to any and all MWSU sporting events for the remainder of the 2025-26 school year. Both games will feature a halftime performance by the Kansas City Disc Dogs and kid-centric music by DJ Swig. Concession stands will be closed, as students will be bringing their lunch, but Hazel's Coffee will be on hand selling beverages to all adults in attendance.

A limited amount of tickets for the 12/15 game will be available for pre-purchase only online at gogriffons.com beginning Tuesday, December 9th. The 12/16 game is sold out.

Due to the unique experience of the games, Gold Coat season ticket holders will have open seating in the balcony as kids will invade the lower bowl of the MWSU Fieldhouse.

Monday, December 15th, 2025 - SJSD Education Day Presented by Lehr Construction
MWSU Women's Basketball vs. Livin' the Dream
11:00am Tip-Off
Participating Schools (Select Grades): Carden Park, Coleman,Edison, Bessie Ellison, Eugene Field,Hosea, Hyde, Lindbergh,Oak Grove, Parkway, Pershing, Pickett, Skaith, Bode, Robidoux, Truman, Spring Garden


Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 - Midland Empire Education Day Presented by Moffet Nursery and Garden Shop
MWSU Men's Basketball vs. Avila
11:00am Tip-Off
Participating Schools: Rushville, Cameron, East Buchanan MS, King City, Maysville, Mid-Buchanan, North Andrew, Mound City, Clinton Co. R3, Riverside, Minnie Cline, John Glenn, Amazonia,Cathedral, St. James, St. Francis, St. Joe Christian, Stewartsville, Troy, Union Star