Southeast Missouri State University is a public, accredited university located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The best-known figure associated with the institution is probably controversial radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh, who is a Cape Girardeau native and attended the university briefly, his only formal higher education. The school's athletic teams compete in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Until January of 2005, the athletic team nicknames were Indians (men) and Othakians (women). After a movement by Student Government, the Booster Club and the National Alumni Council, the nickname was changed to Redhawks. Consequently, a mascot then came into existence, known as Rowdy Redhawk.