Bully for ol' Mizzou (Cont'd)

city. The group was called the "Columbia Tigers.” The Athletic Committee at the University adopted "Tigers" in 1890 in recognition of these Civil War defenders.

The spirit of the Civil War defenders is embodied in the costumed mascot, Truman the Tiger - named after Harry Truman, 33rd U.S. President - from Missouri. In the last eight years, Truman has twice been named "Best Mascot in the Nation,” the latest honor being awarded in 2004. Today, the symbolic logo for Missouri is a head-shot of a Bengal Tiger.

Cap stepped out and breathed in a mid-September morning. It was still cool and the fresh air was invigorating. Beneath clear skies he headed south down College Avenue, turned west on Stadium Blvd., and found a parking place east of the Hearnes Center, near the Campus Inn. The Hearnes Center is located just east of the stadium and was previously used for varsity basketball, before the new arena was built.

Cap climbed the hill and found himself in the middle of tailgate heaven - the parking lots next to the Hearnes and the Stadium. The area was pulsating with fans in full tailgating stride - grills were smoking, flags and footballs were flying, speakers blared the Fight Songs - it was gameday.

Cap took his time, strolling through the RVs, pickups and vans, around the Hearnes and south of the stadium. He worked his way up the eastside of the stadium and as a group of fans passed him he heard one, "Let's hustle. It's almost time for 'the walk'." Cap perked up, and followed.

Stretching out, he walked briskly around the stadium to the northwest corner, where the band struck up “Fight Tigers” just as he arrived, and a corridor of fans welcomed the team and coaches as they crossed Providence and descended into the parking lot. Led by head coach Gary Pinkel, through a screaming contingent of adoring die-hards, the team moved quickly through. Then the band took off, marching around the stadium, and in.

The University of Missouri band, "Marching Mizzou,” also known as "Big M of the Midwest,” contains 250 members, and provides the music of gameday: "Every True Son,” "Fight Tigers,” "Tiger Rag,” and "Missouri Waltz,” among others.

The Tiger faithful followed them, 68,000 plus, filling up Memorial Stadium - primed for battle-action. As Cap found his seat he overheard part of a conversation behind him, "You know when you look at all the tailgating that goes on outside the stadium and how faithful people have been here - this place is a sleeping giant"! Cap studied the comment and agreed. There is no doubt. The campus area, the stadium, and its proximity to tailgating, brings a great gameday atmosphere. If the Tigers ever have that "dream season,” the fever will take over and this place will be off the charts, Cap concluded.

The siren jerked him back to the present. A yellow fire truck with entered from his right, with Truman the Tiger riding on the back, siren blaring. The ROTC cannon went off as Marching Mizzou took the field playing the "Missouri Waltz," then on down the field with "Every True Son,” then the chant and "Fight Tigers.” As the band marched playing the fight songs, they performed the "Flip Tigers" maneuver - marching in the MIZZOU formation, the band "flipped" to TIGERS, as they went, while the Golden Girls dazzled the crowd.

The Golden Girls, a twirling line of six to eight majorettes and two feature twirlers, originated in 1957, and evolved in 1970 to be as it is today: A gold-sequined, high-kicking, dance line of Mizzou beauties, which accompany the band onto the field on gameday.

Seated on the 50-yard line, the "Tigers Lair Block" - the official student cheering section - was busy with card stunts, cheers, and jeers.

The atmosphere grew more intense, electric – building as they teed it up. Missouri took the opening kickoff and jumped out front with an 80-yard, 12-play drive, culminating with Damien Nash scoring on a 3-yard run. The ROTC Cannon roared while the Band played Every True Son, followed by Fight Tigers, and the crazies in the Tiger Lair Block went berserk. Truman the Tiger pranced and danced and the Fire Engine siren wailed, in approval of the lead.

The Tigers gave up a field goal, and answered with one of their own – a 45 yarder by Joe Tantarelli – then surrendered a TD and when James Kinney blocked the PAT, is was 10-9 Missouri, at the half.

The second half was a defensive struggle, and the Tigers owned it. Two juniors - QB Brad Smith and WR Sean Coffey – teamed up for a 49-yard pass-and-run beauty and the final tally, 17-9, Mizzou. 

At the final gun, as Marching Mizzou played the Missouri Waltz, Cap filed out with the Faithful, and worked his way back past the Hearnes – floating in the happy current which always accompanies victory. Then, downtown to the Colosseum Bistro and Stump Joe Pete's Sports Pub at 4th and Broadway. The place was filling quickly as he grabbed a seat under a big screen and ordered a barbecue sandwich and some onion rings for a starter. Surrounded by the smiles and laughter which follow a triumphant afternoon, Cap settled in and caught up on the latest scores and other showdowns taking place across the U.S.

He spent the afternoon and into the evening grazing on exquisite fare which the Colosseum offered, and as the day wound down and the sun fell from the western Missouri sky, he eased out and headed over to Harpo's for a final dose of football wisdom from the local experts - then it was back to the Ramada.

Gameday Final capped off another great autumn Saturday with scores, highlights, and helmet stickers. Virginia Tech, Florida, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Cal, Boise State, Tennessee, Pitt, Fresno State, USC, Texas, Louisville, Miami, LSU, Georgia, Clemson, Purdue, Michigan State and more - all winners, all in the hunt.

As he hit the off button on the remote, he drifted into a deep slumber, humming..."We will tramp, tramp, tramp, around the columns, with a cheer for old Mizzou..."

From there, he drove down the Avenue of the Columns to the Quadrangle, for a final look at Jesse Hall and The Columns. They stood alone and majestic this quiet Sunday morning, presiding over Columbia and its day of rest. As the President of the Board of Curators had said so long ago, "Let them stand for a thousand years.” The Columns still stand today, thought TC, and I'm sure they’ll be here long after I'm gone.

Cap drove on down College, turned west on Stadium Blvd., past the Faurot Field, quiet now, then continuing west on Stadium as it turned north and out to I-70.

Driving west toward KC, he looked back, revisiting Columbia. Peace Park, the Francis Quadrangle, Switzler Hall, The Residence, Memorial Union, Harpo's, Boone Tavern, the Colosseum, and the downtown area - right off campus, the Black and Gold, Truman the Tiger, Marching Mizzou, "Every True Son" and "Fight Tigers,” the Golden Girls, the Tiger's Lair, Memorial Stadium, Faurot Field, the Missouri Waltz, Jesse Hall and The Columns.

Columbia is a well-kept secret, Cap mused, and, indeed, a sleeping giant. A college town with a classic midwestern feel, its charm is genuine, unmistakable. Cap had no doubt that he would some day return to Old Mizzou for an autumn gameday.

Bully for ol' Mizzou
Previous page

Advertise     Privacy Policy