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| University of Missouri athletics | |
|---|---|
| Name | University of Missouri athletics |
| Established | 1890s |
| University | University of Missouri |
| Location | Columbia, Missouri |
| Conference | Southeastern Conference |
| Division | NCAA Division I |
| Teams | 19 |
| Stadium | Faurot Field |
| Arena | Mizzou Arena |
| Mascot | Truman the Tiger |
| Nickname | Missouri Tigers |
University of Missouri athletics encompasses the intercollegiate sports programs representing the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. The athletic department fields teams known as the Missouri Tigers competing in NCAA Division I and primarily in the Southeastern Conference. Missouri programs have produced prominent figures and teams associated with venues such as Faurot Field and Mizzou Arena and have historic ties to conferences including the Big Eight Conference, Big 12 Conference, and Southeastern Conference.
The origins trace to the 1890s when Missouri Tigers football began play at early sites near Francis Quadrangle and later moved to Faurot Field. In the 20th century, Missouri joined the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association and later the Big Six Conference, evolving through the Big Seven Conference into the Big Eight Conference. Coaches such as Don Faurot, Gary Pinkel, Al Onofrio, and Dan Devine shaped program identities, while administrators worked with entities like the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Southeastern Conference leadership, and the Big 12 Conference during realignment periods. Student-athletes participated in events at Tiger Stadium and met rivals from University of Kansas, University of Arkansas, University of Oklahoma, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and University of Tennessee in high-profile matchups.
Missouri sponsors varsity teams in sports including Missouri Tigers football, Missouri Tigers men's basketball, Missouri Tigers women's basketball, Missouri Tigers baseball, Missouri Tigers softball, Missouri Tigers wrestling, Missouri Tigers swimming and diving, Missouri Tigers track and field, Missouri Tigers cross country, Missouri Tigers soccer, Missouri Tigers volleyball, Missouri Tigers golf, and Missouri Tigers tennis. The football program has competed in bowl games such as the Cotton Bowl Classic, Outback Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and Liberty Bowl, while basketball teams played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament and Women's National Invitation Tournament. Olympic sports at Missouri produced qualifiers for Summer Olympics and participants who trained at facilities linked to USA Track & Field and USA Swimming development programs.
Missouri's conference history includes membership in the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Big Six Conference, Big Seven Conference, Big Eight Conference, and Big 12 Conference before joining the Southeastern Conference in 2012. Traditional rivalries include the Border War with University of Kansas, the Battle for the Tiger–Jayhawk rivalry and historic matchups versus University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University of Oklahoma, University of Arkansas, and University of Texas at Austin. Conference moves involved negotiations with institutions such as University of Colorado Boulder, Texas A&M University, University of Missouri–Kansas City, and media partners like ESPN and CBS Sports.
Primary venues include Faurot Field (football), Mizzou Arena (basketball), Taylor Stadium (baseball), Mizzou Softball Stadium, Hearnes Center (historic basketball and multipurpose events), and dedicated facilities for Missouri Tigers track and field and Missouri Tigers swimming and diving. The campus complex ties to Columbia, Missouri landmarks and academic sites like the Jesse Hall and David R. Francis Quadrangle. Training sites have hosted events affiliated with organizations such as NCAA Men's Final Four regional play, USA Basketball clinics, and USA Track & Field meets.
Traditions include the roar at Faurot Field, the Miz Zoo student cheering section, homecoming festivities tied to homecoming week, and marching performances by the Marching Mizzou. The official mascot is Truman the Tiger, named in honor of Harry S. Truman, and live tiger mascots have appeared in historical contexts related to animal exhibition laws and campus policies. Game-day rituals reference campus landmarks like Jesse Hall and events such as the Apple Day fair and alumni gatherings.
Missouri has produced professional and Olympic athletes including Bradley Beal, Max Scherzer, Justin Smith, Danario Alexander, Kellen Winslow Jr., Melvin Booker, Shea Theodore, Mike Anderson, Lorenzo Cain, Blaine Gabbert, James Wilder Jr., Chandler Harnish, Jeremy Maclin, Brad Smith, Jo Jo White, Corky Taylor, Eva Jurczykova (fictional example removed), Norm Stewart, Margo Dydek, Denny Neagle, and Khris Davis. Institutional recognition includes induction into the University of Missouri Athletics Hall of Fame and honors from organizations like the Pro Football Hall of Fame and National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum for alumni who advanced to professional prominence.
Team achievements include conference championships across the Big Eight Conference, Big 12 Conference, and Southeastern Conference in sports such as football, basketball, baseball, and wrestling. Missouri teams have appeared in major postseason events including the College World Series, NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, and multiple FBS bowl games. Individual records include Heisman Trophy finalists, All-American selections recognized by the Associated Press, United Press International, and American Football Coaches Association, as well as Olympic medals earned by former Tigers at the Summer Olympic Games.
Category:Missouri Tigers