University of Missouri Tigers

University of Missouri Tigers
source
Name	Missouri Tigers
University	University of Missouri
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Location	Columbia, Missouri
Stadium	Faurot Field
Arena	Mizzou Arena
Founded	1890

University of Missouri Tigers are the intercollegiate athletic programs representing the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. Competing primarily in the Southeastern Conference since 2012, the Tigers field teams across NCAA Division I sports and maintain historic ties to the Big 12 Conference and the Big Eight Conference. The program has produced Olympians, College Football Playoff participants, professional athletes in the National Football League, National Basketball Association, and international competitions such as the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games.

History

The Tigers trace organized competition to the late 19th century with early contests against institutions like University of Kansas, Washington University in St. Louis, and Drake University. The program advanced under figures linked to the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association and later the Big Six Conference. In the 20th century, coaches associated with the program interacted with luminaries from Knute Rockne-era football and contemporaries from Notre Dame, Oklahoma Sooners, and Nebraska Cornhuskers. Conference realignment in the 1990s and 2000s connected the Tigers to schools such as Texas A&M University and University of Texas at Austin through the Big 12 Conference before the move to the Southeastern Conference, aligning Missouri with institutions including University of Alabama, University of Georgia, and Louisiana State University.

Varsity Sports Programs

Missouri sponsors men's programs in football, baseball, basketball, wrestling, and golf while women's teams include softball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics. The baseball program has matchups with programs like Vanderbilt University, University of Florida, and University of Kentucky. The men's basketball program schedules games against University of Kansas, Duke University, and University of Michigan in nonconference play. The football program features annual contests with opponents from the Southeastern Conference such as University of Tennessee and University of South Carolina. Club and Olympic sports produce athletes who go on to compete for United States Olympic Committee delegations and professional organizations like the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Championships and Notable Achievements

Team and individual titles include national championships in wrestling at various levels and conference championships in football and baseball across the Big Eight Conference and Big 12 Conference eras. Tigers alumni have earned All-America honors and national awards such as the Biletnikoff Award, Rainey Award-style recognitions, and selections to collegiate all-star games like the Senior Bowl. Internationally, former Missouri athletes have represented nations at the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup. The program's draft history includes first-round picks in the NFL Draft and the MLB Draft, with alumni reaching rosters of the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Bulls, and San Antonio Spurs.

Traditions and Mascots

Traditional elements include pregame pageantry on Faurot Field featuring the playing of the "M-I-Z-Z-O-U" chant and the use of team colors black and gold associated with the University of Missouri School of Journalism heritage and city landmarks like the Jesse Hall. Mascots and symbols have engaged figures linked to university ceremonies and alumni events involving organizations like the Missouri Student Association. Rivalry trophies and marching band performances involve ensembles such as the Marching Mizzou and cooperative appearances with groups from University of Kansas and University of Arkansas.

Facilities and Stadiums

Primary venues include Faurot Field for football and Mizzou Arena for basketball, alongside Taylor Stadium for baseball and Shelter Insurance Arena-style event sites for gymnastics and concerts. The athletics complex interacts with campus infrastructure like the Memorial Union and research facilities at the University of Missouri Research Reactor. Training centers and practice fields mirror standards used by programs at University of Florida and University of Georgia.

Rivalries

Longstanding rivalries encompass series with University of Kansas (the Border War rivalry historically), University of Illinois, University of Oklahoma, and regional contests against University of Arkansas. Conference shifts produced renewed competitive narratives with University of Tennessee and University of Kentucky after joining the Southeastern Conference. Rivalry games frequently draw alumni from metropolitan regions including St. Louis and Kansas City and are covered by regional media outlets linked to networks like ESPN and CBS Sports.

Notable Athletes and Coaches

Prominent alumni and coaches from the program have moved on to professional and coaching careers across the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball, and international leagues. Figures associated with the Tigers have ties to franchises such as the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Lakers, and Boston Red Sox, and have coached at institutions including Ohio State University, University of Southern California, and University of Notre Dame. Several inductees are members of halls of fame such as the College Football Hall of Fame and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

Category:University of Missouri sports teams