Hoops To Hope
10/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 15, 2010
By Alexis Rogers
Media Relations Student Assistant
Columbia, Mo. - There is no questioning the devotion of the Mizzou fan base when it comes to supporting its student-athletes. Tiger fans take the initiative to support and cheer on their athletes at every turn. This is a reputation Mizzou fans are proud of, especially when it comes to supporting Tiger Basketball.
That theme of support has become an important philosophy within the Mizzou Basketball program. On Oct. 2 Head Coach Mike Anderson's crew hosted a free basketball clinic at Douglass Park for the children of Columbia. It's definitely not the first time these Missouri Tigers have gotten involved within their community. The team has been involved with events such as Special Olympics, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boys & Girls Club and local food drives. They also stay in touch with the community frequenting Read-A-Thons at elementary schools.
During the holiday season, the team goes to restaurants and food shelters to share some seasonal cheer, a project that has made a major impact on how these young men conduct their lives away from the court.
"It definitely makes me a better person," junior forward Steve Moore said. "It makes me grateful for what I have. I didn't necessarily grow up in the best household and it just makes me grateful for everything I have today and it motivates me to play harder and do better in school so I have a better education and career in the future."
This rising trend of service within the program not only has its benefits in the community, but also enhances the team's togetherness as a whole.
"It helps us with our chemistry, it helps us bond as a team," Moore said. "It puts us on the map within our community letting them know we care and appreciate the support they give us on game day."
Perhaps the biggest chore for the Tigers when giving back is narrowing down their list of favorite events. When thinking about his involvement with Special Olympics over the years, three-year veteran Laurence Bowers says, "Just doing stuff with no expectations, with no rewards... I mean it makes you feel good. It makes you feel like you doing God's Deed".
With many of the athletes, each specific community service event impacts them in a personal way and the Missouri basketball program is making a prime effort to take care of the same faithful faces that support them night in and night out during the season.
"Anytime you can put a smile on somebody's face it always goes a long way," Jarrett Sutton said. "You never know whether people are having a good day or bad day, but you just get involved and my dad always calls it `Gods work'. I love that kind of stuff. It's just fun for me."
So keep an eye out for these Missouri Tigers, because they are out in the community full-force, taking care of the community that they call their home.
