Northwest Missouri State Athletics

There can be an additional set of expectations that a Maryville athlete carries with him or her when they choose to play for the hometown Bearcats.  Whatever the expectations were for Myles Burnsides coming in, you can guarantee he exceeded them. 
 
He made his impact early, leading the team in interceptions as a freshman – a feat he’d accomplish in each of the final three years of his career as well. He earned All-MIAA honors each season and recorded the most tackles by a defensive back, ranking 10^th overall among all defensive players in Northwest history.
 
He was selected to either the first or second team on nine different All-America squads during his career and was honored as the national defensive player of the year following his junior season. In addition, he was an Academic All-American and was named the National Scholar Athlete of the Year for his work in the classroom.
 
He’s one of only three freshmen, since the award’s inception in 1972, to win the Don Black Award – given to the MVP of the Homecoming football game.  He is one of five student-athletes in school history to win the MIAA’s Ken B. Jones award presented to the all-around top male student-athlete in the conference.
 
During his career, his team went a perfect 37-0 against MIAA schools and ended every season with a National Title game appearance, claiming the ultimate prize in 2009.