Mizzou Freshmen Class of 2018 Continue Rock M Painting Tradition
8/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | General
By: Brandon Weiss, MUTigers.com Correspondent
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Missouri freshmen class of 2018 was welcomed to the student body in the traditional Mizzou fashion on Friday morning - with 300 gallons of white paint and mops.
According to the story, the tradition of freshmen taking care of the "Rock M" inside Faurot Field dates back to 1927, when a group of freshmen built the M out of extra rocks that were left over from the stadium's construction. And so, for the last 87 years, the youngest students on campus have been responsible for the upkeep of one of the most iconic features at Mizzou.
The annual painting of the M is run by the University of Missouri Department of Student Life as one of its "Fall Welcome" programs. One of the most anticipated events for the new Tigers students each year occurs right before the Mizzou football season kicks off.
Dave Rielley, Senior Coordinator of New Student Programs, has organized the Rock M painting event the past 13 years.
The painting of the M has grown year to year, Rielley said, as he expected between 600 and 700 students to participate in this morning's whitewashing of the north end zone landmark.
As for the reasoning behind why students get so excited to paint, Rielley said that like many things at Mizzou, it comes down to being part of a tradition.
"I think we see by the turnout and the fact that they're out here so early on a Friday morning, they love it," Rielley said. "It's a chance for them to connect to the University of Missouri. Tradition is such a huge part of being at Mizzou, and they kind of get to make their place in the school and continue that chain on down the years."
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