COLUMBIA, Mo. — A lasting connection between one of the most accomplished families in Mizzou Athletics history and the next generation of Tigers will take shape inside Hearnes Center, as Mizzou alumnus Thomas P. Botts and his wife Libbie Rice have made a transformative philanthropic gift to name the university’s indoor track in honor of his late grandfather, legendary Mizzou track and field coach Tom Botts.
The Tom Botts Indoor Track will celebrate a coach whose influence at Missouri reached far beyond his extraordinary record of success. Coach Botts led the Tigers from 1947 to 1972, guiding Mizzou to eight conference championships and the 1965 NCAA Indoor Track and Field National Championship. Along the way, he coached five individual national champions, 23 All-Americans, 96 conference champions and two U.S. Olympians.
“This is what makes philanthropy in college athletics so meaningful. Tom, Libbie and their children, Tom and Camillle, are honoring Tom’s grandfather's extraordinary legacy while making an investment in the future of Mizzou student-athletes,” Mizzou Director of Athletics Laird Veatch said. “Coach Botts helped establish a championship standard at Missouri, and now generations of Tigers will train and compete on a track bearing his name. We are incredibly grateful to Tom and Libbie for their generosity, belief in Mizzou and commitment to ensuring his Coach Botts’ legacy continues to inspire.”
Tom Botts, a Mizzou graduate who earned a bachelor's degree in logistics and marketing, has built a career as an executive, entrepreneur and investor in the travel and technology industries. He serves as President of Flex Pay at Upgrade, a multibillion-dollar fintech company. He previously co-founded and served as managing partner of Hudson Crossing and held senior leadership positions with Miraval Group, Hyatt Hotels and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
His gift will help enhance the training and competitive environment for Mizzou track and field student-athletes while creating a permanent connection between future Tigers and one of the most important figures in Mizzou Athletics history.
“My grandfather had an incredible impact on so many people, and I feel very fortunate to have known him not only as a coach and a legend at Mizzou, but as my grandfather,” Tom Botts said. “What he taught his athletes went far beyond track and field. He believed in discipline, preparation, integrity and, most importantly, helping young people become better versions of themselves. Having his name on this track is a special way for our family to honor that legacy and, hopefully, inspire future generations of Tigers who will compete here.”
Coach Botts, a native of Mexico, Missouri, was inducted into the State of Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1977, the Drake Relays Hall of Fame in 1979, the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1983 and in 1990 was part of the inaugural induction class into the University of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame. He passed away in 1999 at age 94.
“Coach Botts set a standard for excellence that continues to define what Mizzou track and field is all about,” Mizzou track and field coach Brett Halter said. “His legacy isn't just measured in championships and All-Americans — it's measured in the lives he impacted and the values he instilled in his athletes. That value-based leadership is what’s most impressionable on the men he coached. We are incredibly grateful to Tom Botts for this meaningful investment and for giving our student-athletes a place where they can compete every day under the name of one of the greatest coaches in Mizzou history.”
To honor the Botts Family, there will be a naming dedication on Friday, October 9 at Hearnes Center. The event is open to the public. More information will be provided at a later date.
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