March 2, 2004
Columbia, Mo. - University of Missouri-Columbia officials announced today a $10 million gift to the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. The gift, made by the Kansas City Sports Trust, matches the third-largest contribution in the history of the University.
"This is a monumental gift for the University of Missouri-Columbia and its Department of Intercollegiate Athletics," Chancellor Richard Wallace said. "We thank the Kansas City Sports Trust for its valuable support of Mizzou."
The Kansas City law firm of Stinson, Morrison and Hecker administers the Kansas City Sports Trust. The purpose of the trust is to support the activities of the MU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. The University already has received $2.75 million of the $10 million gift.
"We are sincerely appreciative of the generosity of the Kansas City Sports Trust," said Mike Alden, director of athletics. "This gift will have a lasting effect on all student-athletes at Mizzou. It certainly shows a tremendous amount of support and trust in our mission of preparing Champions for Life."
MU officials will use the donation to renovate the athletic facilities located directly across Providence Road from Memorial Stadium. All of MU's 475 student-athletes use these facilities. Additionally, the gift will support scholarships and operational funds for the department.
"The Kansas City Sports Trust was created by donors who see the value of intercollegiate athletics to the University of Missouri-Columbia and the state of Missouri," said Mark S. Foster, trustee of the Kansas City Sports Trust and managing partner at Stinson, Morrison, and Hecker. "This donation has been made to assist the athletic department as it continues to provide opportunities for student-athletes."
The building renovation is projected to begin in spring 2005 and is scheduled to be completed in August 2006. Planning for the renovation will begin immediately.
As a result of the Kansas City Sports Trust gift, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has surpassed its initial goal for the Champions for Life campaign of $102 million. With a current campaign gift total of $103.6 million, the department has adjusted its goal to $109 million. This goal is a part of the University of Missouri's institutional goal of $600 million. To date the gift total for the "For All We Call Mizzou" campaign is more than $400 million.