Sept. 23, 2013
Residence: Springfield, Mo.
Family: Father went to University Of Missouri Law School ('71)
When Did You First Become a Mizzou Fan: My parents took us to Mizzou football and basketball home games throughout the 70's and 80's and my family always listened to the Tigers on the radio when they played on the road. I attended several Norm Stewart basketball camps in those days as well. I often get asked how I became such a big Mizzou fan when I didn't even go to school there and my answer is always "I was simply raised right".
Favorite Moment at Mizzou: My favorite moment was beating kU in football in 2007 at Arrowhead. It was a night game and that stadium was absolutely electric. For a moment kU felt relevant in football but when they left Arrowhead they were back to football obscurity forever more.
Why do you participate in the Springfield Tiger Club: I think Springfield was long overdue for a Tiger Club. For years I noticed a lot of people in and around Springfield with Mizzou apparel, Mizzou decals on their automobiles, etc. but there was no rallying point for Mizzou fans here. Springfield also sits in a corner of the state that is a hotbed because we are so close to three big rivals... ku, OU and Arkansas. We are on the front lines so to speak.
There are many reasons to be involved in our Tiger Club... meeting and getting to know fellow Tiger fans, the good times we have at our get-togethers, the interesting insights we get from our guests/speakers, etc. but at the end of the day we exist for one reason... to support our student athletes. When we as a club are able to make donations to TSF that are in turn used to help our student-athletes that is what is all about to me. In the big picture we are a small part of that, but lots of small parts working together can make a big difference.
Favorite Mizzou Tradition: My favorite tradition would be hanging out at the Ryan Cole & Tyson Martin tailgate before home games. Those guys do it right! Great food, great people to hang out with and we always seem to have a few celebrity guests roll through to hang out with us from former athletes to an occasional visit from Coach Kadlec.
Favorite Current Mizzou Student-Athlete: My favorite all-time Tiger is Coach Kadlec. I never got to see him play and I was too young to remember him as a Coach but I've had the privilege of getting to know him the last few years and he is an awesome man who lives and breathes Mizzou. He is so highly regarded and respected throughout the state and rightly so. His stories are awesome and we share two favorite past-times....Mizzou sports and crappie fishing. It's his passion for Mizzou that puts him at the top of my list. They don't call him "Mr. Mizzou" for nothing!
Why do you think other's should give to TSF: Mike Alden has assembled a staff of Coaches that `get it'....not only do they compete and win at the highest of levels but they are bringing in kids that are good students and good citizens that represent the University in the right way long after their playing days are over. These student-athletes put in an incredible amount of time and effort to represent Mizzou in the right way on and off the field/court and they deserve my support. Supporting TSF is a great investment... knowing that you are helping these great ambassadors for the University of Missouri.