By Bradley Radu / Staff Writer 

At Missouri Valley College, Valley Experience Day gives potential recruits a firsthand look at the campus they may soon call home. From academics to athletics, the event is designed to provide both students and their families with a clear understanding of what life at Missouri Valley is like.

President Dr. Joseph Parisi emphasized the importance of families experiencing campus together. 

“I think it’s important for the parents and the students, both, together to experience Missouri Valley,” Dr. Joe Parisi said.

Through opportunities such as the mini lecture series, families are able to step into the classroom environment, while student and staff panels offer insight into campus life.

“I’ve already had three parents say, ‘I had a mini class, and I loved it,’” Parisi said.

Other parents enjoyed the student and staff panels, Parisi said, adding that several parents told him they hadn’t seen that at other schools they visited.

What stood out most, however, was the atmosphere.

“There’s care here. People actually care here,” parents told Parisi. “There’s a culture of care here that’s recognizable.”

For recruits like Brooks Priesmeyer, the experience helps bring that environment into focus. A future mass communications major and football recruit, Priesmeyer said: “I’ve always wanted to play a sport in college…It’s something that I hold high in values.” 

His perspective reflects the mindset many recruits bring with them, using Experience Day as a step toward turning that goal of college sports into reality.

“I’m also coming here and rooming with one of my friends,” he said.

Athletics play a key role in shaping that connection. Cheer recruits are able to stunt alongside current team members, gaining firsthand experience with the program’s skill level and teamwork. Football recruits meet and interact with future teammates, helping build early relationships before arriving on campus.

The event balances excitement with preparation. Recruits can participate in activities and win prizes, including items such as a flatscreen TV for their dorm room, while also finalizing schedules and completing enrollment steps.

One of the highlights is a live football scrimmage, where the offense faces the defense in a competitive matchup. The game offers recruits a closer look at the team’s intensity and culture.

At its core, Missouri Valley Experience Day is designed to help students and their families feel confident in their decision by providing a comprehensive and engaging introduction to campus life.