Aug. 16, 2001

Columbia, Mo. - Making the adjustment from high school to college can be tough for anyone. Throw in the pressures of playing major college football, and the demands can become overwhelming.

To help with that important transition, the University of Missouri Department of Athletics will kick off a "Restore the Roar" mentoring program this Saturday. The program, which was conceived of by former Tiger players and community leaders Demetrious Johnson and Don Johnson of St. Louis, Mo., will match current Tiger freshmen with former players from their area.

"This is a way to provide an opportunity for our former players to help our new kids with the adjustment to college," said Assistant Athletic Director Ed Stewart, who will oversee the program. "I see this as a unique support mechanism, something else we can offer outside of their coaches, advisors and staff. It's also a great way for our former players to stay involved and to continue to have a vested interest in the program," he said.

The program will get kicked-off this Saturday (Aug. 18th), as mentors and mentees will gather to meet at a dinner to be held following the team's 1:45 p.m. scrimmage at Faurot Field. Nearly 20 former players and local community leaders will be involved in the program, just a few of whom include: Curtis Brown, Kent Layman, A.J. Ofodile, Jerome Sally, Norris Stevenson, Jake Stueve and Montana Waggoner.