@MizzouAthletics Raises Record $50.4 Million in 2016-17
6/28/2017 3:26:00 PM | General, TSF
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The generosity, loyalty and passion of more than 7,000 donors has allowed the University of Missouri's Tiger Scholarship Fund(TSF) to raise a school-record $50.4 million in support of the institution's 20-sport intercollegiate athletics programs during the 2016-17 fiscal year. With two days left in the fiscal year, the 2016-17 total already stands more than $4.7 million ahead of the previous record of $45.7 million raised in 2011-12, which marked Mizzou's first year of Southeastern Conference membership.
"This has been a historic year for the Tiger Scholarship Fund. We deeply appreciate our generous alumni and friends for stepping forward during this important time in our program's history to help us provide the best possible academic and athletic experience for our 550 student-athletes," said Mizzou Director of Athletics Jim Sterk.
"I believe this record-breaking year is a credit to our loyal donors and the outstanding work of the Tiger Scholarship Fund staff," he added. "With the momentum generated from this year's achievements, we believe a strong foundation is in place to ensure future success within our athletics program."
TSF's record-breaking 2016-17 total, which included new pledges and cash gifts, was aided by a school-record 11 gifts of $1 million or more, and was more than double the $21.96 million raised in 2015-16. It also marked just the second time in school history that the TSF surpassed the $40 million threshold in philanthropic support and just the fifth time it topped the $30 million plateau.
Thanks in part to outstanding financial support from TSF members, Mizzou student-athletes continued to excel academically and athletically during the recently completed academic year.
In the classroom, 269 Mizzou student-athletes received SEC Honor Roll recognition, 303 garnered University Dean's List status for at least one semester and 14 teams registered a 3.00 grade-point average for the Spring 2017 term. In addition, Mizzou student-athletes spent over 4,800 hours volunteering with more than 50 organizations in Columbia and the surrounding communities.
Mizzou, poised for its highest finish ever in the season-ending Learfield Directors' Cup standings which will be released later this week (currently ranked 31st; highest previous ranking was 36th in 2008-09), won a pair of conference team championships (volleyball and wrestling), had 16 of 20 teams represented in NCAA postseason play, and saw 10 squads finish their respective season ranked among the nation's Top 25, including Top 10 NCAA championship placings in wrestling (fifth), women's indoor track & field (eighth) and men's swimming and diving (ninth).
In addition, two Tigers combined to win four 2016-17 NCAA individual championships as wrestler J'den Cox won his third national title at 197 lbs., and Karissa Schweizer became just the fourth female in NCAA history to win the distance triple crown (cross country, indoor 5,000m and outdoor 5,000m national titles), and first since 2008. Mizzou also produced 13 individual conference champions and saw 31 student-athletes earn 69 All-America certificates in 11 different sports.
Mizzou Athletics Top Five Fund-Raising Years
Year Amount Raised
- 2016-17 $50.4m
- 2011-12 $45.7m
- 2001-02 $39.4m
- 2012-13 $32.3m
- 2013-14 $31.4m
