$250m improvements approved for Missouri Tigers stadium
The University of Missouri board of curators has approved a $250 million renovation for Memorial Stadium, used primarily by the Missouri Tigers college team.
The project, which will break ground Nov. 30 when the Tigers play border rival Arkansas, will most notably enclose the north end zone with a multilevel concourse and premium seating. The grassy berm and block “M” formed from whitewashed rocks, where many fans now sit, will remain below the concourse, but with a reduced footprint.
“This project is a game-changer for Mizzou football,” said Tigers athletic director Laird Veatch, who was hired in May after Desireé Reed-Francois left for the same job at Arizona. “This historic stadium renovation will not only enhance the overall fan experience but provide the resources necessary for our program to compete at the highest level in the SEC.”
Memorial Stadium is one of the oldest football stadiums west of the Mississippi River, tracing its opening to Oct. 26, 1926, and a game against Tulane. It has undergone numerous renovations over its nearly 100-year history, most recently a nearly $100 million renovation that created suites and stand-level decks along with general seating in the south end zone.
“I’ve never been one who says the athletic department is the front porch of the university, because that isolates something. It’s part of a university. It’s very visible. It draws people in,” Sankey said. “I think those are incredible, healthy opportunities, and that continued growth is a part of what happens on campus.”
The Missouri football team has held onto win over the Vanderbilt Commodores after an intense missed field goal ended the game.
The Tigers entered the clash 3-0 while Vanderbilt came into the game with a 2-1 record, having suffered a bad loss to Georgia State last weekend. The Commodores brought the game to overtime, but could not make the pivotal field goal that would extend the game for themselves.
Missouri has been a team that has incredible fire power on offense, but has not been able to truly show it yet this season. Boston College held Missouri to 27-points and now the Commodores have held Missouri to 30-points. The Tigers will have another serious challenge for their offense when they play against Texas A&M next.
The Commodores put up quite the fight against the Tigers despite being heavy underdogs and being expected to have struggled defensively. Last game out for the Commodores, Georgia State seemed to score at will against the defense which was a bad sign heading into conference play.
Vanderbilt was not able to hold on in overtime, as the Commodores missed a field goal that would have tied the game. Instead, Vanderbilt dropped to 2-2 and the Missouri Tigers improved to 4-0 on the young season.
