An Update From Mizzou AD Jim Sterk
3/30/2020 5:07:00 PM | General
Dear Mizzou Fans:
These last few weeks have been unlike any other in my professional career (and likely for you, too), as the COVID-19 pandemic has stopped the sporting world in its tracks while having a profound impact on our daily lives not only here in the Show-Me State, but nationally and around world, too.
However, I remain confident that we will get through this together and at some point down the road athletics will bring the Mizzou Family together to cheer on our amazing student-athletes. Our staff is hard at work in preparation for making the 2020-21 academic year the best-ever for our student-athletes, coaches and fans.
We continue to work with SEC and campus leadership to ensure the well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and administrative team. While Mizzou was on spring break last week, the conference-mandated suspension of all team and individual practices, meetings and other organized functions remains in place thru April 15 and I fully expect that it will be extended until the end of the semester in the near future. The lone exception to this is that our coaches may conduct two hours of remote film study with their teams each week starting at Monday, March 30, at Noon (Central).
Nationally, the NCAA announced last Thursday that its revenue distribution to member institutions will only be 33 percent of its original projection following the cancellation of all winter and spring championships, and I expect a decision on the eligibility extensions for affected student-athletes to be made later today. In addition, the athletics directors and SEC leadership team continue to engage daily in thoughtful dialogue on many national issues, including Name, Image and Likeness and transfer policies that will impact all student-athletes, to name just a few, when we get back to business.
While we've stepped into the virtual world over last few weeks to foster engagement and communication, our commitment to Winning it Right through our values of Respect, Integrity, Gratitude, Humility and Together has never been stronger. As you have probably had to do within your businesses, we've made major adjustments in our operating procedures, but our main focus remains caring for our student-athletes, who are to be commended for their maturity, grace and understanding in dealing with this difficult situation that doesn't have a playbook to utilize.
As I mentioned last week, we have extended the 2020 Mizzou Football season ticket renewal date until May 31 which aligns with the deadline to renew your TSF membership. While we realize the challenges everyone is currently facing, our staff stands ready to assist you in the days ahead. Thank you to our season ticket holders and donors who have already renewed their commitment!
All of us associated with Mizzou Athletics hope that you and your families stay safe. We look forward with great anticipation to the start of the 2020-21 athletics season in August and the opportunity to come together in support of our Mizzou student-athletes who proudly wear the Black & Gold!
M-I-Z,
Jim Sterk
Director of Athletics
University of Missouri
