50 Facts About Missouri Tigers

Missouri Tigers: A Legacy of Excellence

The Missouri Tigers, representing the University of Missouri, have a storied history in collegiate athletics. From their early beginnings to their modern-day achievements, the Tigers have made a significant impact on sports and academics alike. Let's dive into some fascinating facts about this iconic team.

Founding and Early History

1. The University of Missouri was founded in 1839, making it the first public university west of the Mississippi River.
2. The first Missouri Tigers baseball team was formed in 1868, with the first recorded season being in 1891. The team has a notable history, winning the National Championship in 1954.
3. The university's first football team was formed in 1890 by the sophomore class of the "Academic School" (now the College of Arts and Science). The team challenged a team of Engineering students in April of that year upon encouragement of Dr. A. L. Weatherspoon.

Notable Alumni and Achievements

4. Former Missouri Tiger baseball players have gone on to achieve great success in professional baseball. Notable alumni include Tim Laudner, who played for the 1987 World Champion Minnesota Twins, and Phil Bradley, who played for several teams in the 1980s and early 1990s.
5. In 2006, pitcher Max Scherzer was selected in the first round with the 11th overall pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Scherzer went on to win the Al Cy Young Award with the Detroit Tigers in 2013.
6. The Missouri Tigers have produced several notable football players who have gone on to achieve success at the professional level. Notable alumni include Sean Weatherspoon, a former 1st round draft pick and former player for the Atlanta Falcons, Roger Wehrli, a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee in 2007, and Kellen Winslow, a former Missouri football player now in both the College and Pro Hall of Fame.

Media and Broadcasting

7. The Tiger Radio Network is anchored by KMBZ in Kansas City, KTGR AM/KCMQ FM in Columbia and Jefferson City, and KTRS in St. Louis. Mike Kelly is the commentator for both sports, with Howard Richards and Chris Gervino serving as analysts for football and Gary Link filling in for basketball.
8. For indoor sports, Mizzou operates the Missouri Sports Network, a syndication package that airs on FSN Midwest and/or Metro Sports. It mainly broadcasts volleyball and basketball. Dan McLaughlin handles play-by-play for all sports, and is joined by a rotating group of color commentators, most notably Tigers coaching legend Norm Stewart for men's basketball games.

Hall of Fame and Honors

9. The University of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame is located at Mizzou Arena and is the highest honor bestowed upon a Mizzou student-athlete, coach, or administrator. The hall of fame was made possible by the 1989 bequest of $100,000 from the estate of the late A.C. (Ace) and Mary Stotler.
10. Athletes are not eligible for consideration until five years after completion of their competitive career. Coaches and staff members must have spent at least five years working at the University of Missouri and are also subject to a five-year waiting period. The induction ceremony typically occurs in the February following the induction year.

Academic Excellence and Research

11. The University of Missouri is a leading research institution, offering diverse academic programs and pioneering innovations. It has a rich history of academic excellence and has served as a leading institution in the region for over 180 years.
12. The College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri is consistently ranked as one of the top veterinary schools in the nation. It offers cutting-edge research and training opportunities for aspiring veterinarians, making it a popular choice for students pursuing a career in this field.
13. The University of Missouri is home to the largest student union building in the United States. Jesse Hall, the main administration building on campus, also houses the Memorial Union, which provides a wide range of resources and services for students, including dining options, meeting spaces, and recreational facilities.
14. The University of Missouri has a strong connection to the iconic Mark Twain. Samuel Clemens, better known by his pen name Mark Twain, spent several years of his childhood in Hannibal, Missouri, and had strong ties to the state. The university holds a collection of his works and memorabilia, paying homage to one of America’s greatest literary figures.
15. The university’s Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center is home to a unique vineyard dedicated to viticulture research. It plays a vital role in advancing the knowledge and techniques related to grape cultivation and wine production in the region.
16. The University of Missouri has its own research reactor, the MURR (Missouri University Reactor), which is one of the most powerful research reactors in the country. It plays a significant role in advancing nuclear research and offering unique educational opportunities for students interested in the field.

Memorable Moments and Records

17. The Missouri Tigers have an all-time record of 57-54-9 in the Border War with Kansas, a name that reflects guerrilla warfare between the bordering states during the Civil War. The 1960 result is disputed, as the Jayhawks won but later forfeited due to an ineligible player who scored two touchdowns in the game.
18. The Missouri Tigers claim to have the first-ever college football homecoming. Before 1911, the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association passed a rule requiring conference games to be played on campus, preventing the annual Border War between Missouri and Kansas from taking place in Kansas City. Fearing a sparse crowd in Columbia, then-head football coach and athletic director Chester Brewer invited alumni to “come home” for the game.
19. One of the most infamous incidents in Missouri football history occurred on October 6, 1990, when the Tigers were part of one of the most blatant, clear-cut factual errors by an officiating crew in college football history. Missouri held a 31-27 lead in the game’s final seconds with CU driving. The chain crew did not flip the down marker after second down, awarding CU a “fifth down,” during which Johnson may or may not have scored a touchdown. Colorado officially won the game, 33-31.
20. Jeremy Maclin may have been a two-time All-American at Mizzou and a Pro Bowl receiver in 2014, but it’s the 5-foot-8 Marcus Murphy who now holds the team record for most combined kickoffs and punts returned. Murphy finished his college career with 2,837 punt and kickoff return yards.
21. The Missouri Tigers have won 15 conference championships in their history. Most of those came in the Big Eight, with coach Dan Devine securing the most recent title in 1969 (shared with Nebraska). It’s been 46 years since the Tigers won a conference championship, but coach Gary Pinkel has led the team to five division titles, including back-to-back SEC East crowns.
22. The namesake of Missouri’s football field, Don Faurot, helped lay the original sod at Memorial Stadium in 1926. A three-sport star at Missouri and later the athletic director for many years, Faurot’s most notable contributions came as a coach. He helped the team erase more than $500,000 in debt and invented the Split-T offense, leading Mizzou to its first bowl game in 1939 and becoming the first coach in program history with more than 100 wins. In 1995, the university converted the playing surface from artificial back to natural grass, and Faurot installed the final square of sod. He died later that year at 93 years old.
23. The Missouri Tigers have produced 202 NFL draft picks in their history. Mizzou has been an NFL pipeline for decades, sending dozens of players to the pro league prior to 1960 and even producing five NFL draft picks in 1940.
24. Missouri has produced 35 All-Americans in its history, and 19 of those have played along the offensive or defensive line. The program has a strong tradition of producing talented linemen who go on to succeed at the professional level.

Recent Performances and Challenges

25. Brady Cook, the redshirt junior quarterback, has been one of the best in the country through six weeks. He has led a high-powered offense that has leaned heavily on the passing game. In SEC play, the Tigers are throwing the ball 62.9% of the time, and Cook is on pace to go over 4,000 yards on the season. Currently, he sits at 1,863 yards on 135-188 passing and 13 touchdowns to just two interceptions. Both efficiency and explosiveness have been there in Missouri’s passing attacking. Cook ranks in the Top 15 nationally both in completion percentage (71.8%) and completions of 20-plus yards (29).
26. The true sophomore wide receiver Luther Burden has been nothing short of other-worldly through six weeks of play. He has reeled in 54 catches, 793 yards, and five touchdowns. His receptions, targets, and receiving yards lead the nation. Furthermore, his 14 catches of 20-plus yards is second in the country. No matter how you slice it, Burden is the most productive wide receiver in all of college football this season. In their two SEC games, the Tigers have leaned even more heavily on their star wideout. Burden has reeled in 11 catches in each of the last two contests, including an incredible 17 targets in their loss to LSU.
27. The Missouri Tigers running game has been effective this season, with Cody Schrader being the most effective rusher. He has gone for 577 yards on 94 carriers and six touchdowns. Schrader’s over six yards per carry average has helped keep Mizzou ahead of the chains and taken some pressure off of Brady Cook. If Schrader is unavailable or limited, it will make Missouri’s offense much more one dimensional.
28. The Missouri Tigers pass defense has been a concern this season. They are allowing 7.3 yards per pass and opposing quarterbacks have a QB Rating of 144.15, which is 102nd nationally. They are also doing a poor job of getting off the field on third down and have allowed touchdowns on over 60% of red zone trips. This has been exacerbated by dropped passes and missed open receivers.
29. Despite the pass defense issues, Missouri’s defense has been strong on the front four. They have created pressure and made it difficult for opposing offenses to move the ball. This has been a key factor in their ability to stay competitive in games despite the defensive issues.

Academic and Research Excellence

30. The University of Missouri has a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1839. It is the first public university west of the Mississippi River and has served as a leading institution in the region for over 180 years.
31. The University of Missouri offers over 300 degree programs across various fields of study, including business, journalism, engineering, arts and sciences, education, and more. This diverse range of academic programs makes Mizzou an attractive option for students from all over the world.
32. Mizzou is classified as a “very high research activity” university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. It is renowned for its groundbreaking research and contributions to various fields, including veterinary medicine, agriculture, and engineering.
33. The University of Missouri offers over 600 student organizations and clubs, including sports teams, performing arts groups, academic clubs, and more. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved and make the most of your college experience.
34. Mizzou takes pride in its diverse and inclusive community. Students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries are represented on campus, creating a vibrant and multicultural environment.
35. Mizzou has a strong network of alumni and a dedicated career services department that helps students connect with job opportunities. The university has a high job placement rate, with many graduates going on to successful careers in their chosen fields.
36. The University of Missouri has produced many notable alumni who have gone on to achieve great success in their respective fields. These include politicians, business leaders, artists, and scientists, among others.
37. The university’s Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center is home to a unique vineyard dedicated to viticulture research. This vineyard plays a vital role in advancing the knowledge and techniques related to grape cultivation and wine production in the region.
38. The MURR (Missouri University Reactor) is one of the most powerful research reactors in the country. It plays a significant role in advancing nuclear research and offering unique educational opportunities for students interested in the field.
39. The campus of the University of Missouri features a blend of historic and modern buildings. The main administration building, Jesse Hall, houses the Memorial Union, which is the largest student union building in the country.
40. The University of Missouri has a strong connection to the iconic Mark Twain. Samuel Clemens, better known by his pen name Mark Twain, spent several years of his childhood in Hannibal, Missouri, and had strong ties to the state. The university holds a collection of his works and memorabilia, paying homage to one of America’s greatest literary figures.
41. The College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri is consistently ranked as one of the top veterinary schools in the nation. It offers cutting-edge research and training opportunities for aspiring veterinarians, making it a popular choice for students pursuing a career in this field.
42. The University of Missouri offers over 600 student organizations and clubs, including sports teams, performing arts groups, academic clubs, and more. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved and make the most of your college experience.
43. Mizzou takes pride in its diverse and inclusive community. Students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries are represented on campus, creating a vibrant and multicultural environment.
44. Mizzou has a strong network of alumni and a dedicated career services department that helps students connect with job opportunities. The university has a high job placement rate, with many graduates going on to successful careers in their chosen fields.
45. The University of Missouri has produced many notable alumni who have gone on to achieve great success in their respective fields. These include politicians, business leaders, artists, and scientists, among others.
46. The university’s Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center is home to a unique vineyard dedicated to viticulture research. This vineyard plays a vital role in advancing the knowledge and techniques related to grape cultivation and wine production in the region.
47. The MURR (Missouri University Reactor) is one of the most powerful research reactors in the country. It plays a significant role in advancing nuclear research and offering unique educational opportunities for students interested in the field.
48. The campus of the University of Missouri features a blend of historic and modern buildings. The main administration building, Jesse Hall, houses the Memorial Union, which is the largest student union building in the country.
49. The University of Missouri has a strong connection to the iconic Mark Twain. Samuel Clemens, better known by his pen name Mark Twain, spent several years of his childhood in Hannibal, Missouri, and had strong ties to the state. The university holds a collection of his works and memorabilia, paying homage to one of America’s greatest literary figures.
50. The Missouri Tigers have a rich legacy and tradition in college athletics. From their early days as a band of armed Union loyalists during the Civil War to their current status as a prominent SEC team, the Tigers continue to inspire and entertain fans across the nation. Their commitment to excellence both on and off the field is a testament to the enduring spirit of Mizzou.

The Legacy of the Missouri Tigers

The Missouri Tigers are more than just a sports team; they embody a rich tradition of academic excellence, athletic prowess, and community spirit. From their historic beginnings in 1839 to their current status as a prominent SEC team, the Tigers have consistently inspired and entertained fans. With notable alumni like Max Scherzer and Kellen Winslow, and achievements like the 1954 baseball National Championship, the Tigers' legacy is undeniable. Their commitment to both sports and academics, highlighted by their top-ranked veterinary medicine program and research reactor, showcases the university's dedication to excellence. Whether you're a student, alumni, or fan, the Missouri Tigers' impact on the university and broader community is profound. Their story is one of perseverance, innovation, and pride, making them a cornerstone of the University of Missouri's identity.