By Aidan Bearden / Staff Writer

Missouri Valley University students and staff traveled to St. Louis’ Busch Stadium on Saturday to celebrate the school’s new era as a University.
The St. Louis Cardinals hosted Missouri Valley University Day at Busch Stadium during their division matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Before the game, MVU’s Cheer and Dance teams performed on the field. President Dr. Joe Parisi also threw the ceremonial first pitch.
The stadium’s total attendance for the evening was 26,265 fans. MVU Cheerleader Katie Lockett said she had never performed in front of a crowd of that magnitude, saying she was a little anxious before the performance.
Lockett said, “I have really bad anxiety, but once I got out there…it felt a lot smaller, then I was fine.”
Lockett also said that while she and her teammates were walking into the stadium, some fans didn’t recognize MVU, making this an opportunity to expand the university’s notoriety.
“I think it’s great that we’re a university now, and then we got to show that on live TV, and in front of a lot of people,” said Lockett. “A lot of people don’t even know what Missouri Valley is…so I think it’s great to be able to show everybody who we are.”
President Parisi said in a press release that he felt especially honored to represent MVU, stating it was a meaningful moment for him. Parisi’s first pitch was more than just throwing a baseball; it was a celebration of a new era for Valley in the city that Parisi once called home.