Future For Football is an initiative of the National Football Foundation, created to highlight the lessons and values that football imparts. Get involved and sign up to play today by visiting Future for Football for resources, a League Locator tool, and much more.
When I hit the halfway point of my high school years, I knew I wanted to major in journalism. I carefully crafted my list of premier journalism programs I knew I wanted to apply to and began planning campus visits. At this point, my sights were set on classes and majors and I had no idea the impact football would have on forming my college experience. I thought it was just a sport my dad liked to watch, not an experience I would personally be able to benefit from as someone who is not a sports fan. I would prove myself wrong!
With in-state tuition, coupled with a merit-based grant and a job in residential life, the decision to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia became clear. But make no mistake: I wasn’t terribly pleased about the decision. I wanted to build a life far away from St. Louis, not one 90 minutes due west on Interstate 70.
Football: The Cultivator of Community
My first semester at Mizzou was overwhelming to say the least. I was nervous about building community amongst a student population of nearly 30,000. All of a sudden, I had numerous circles I could plug into, and yet I knew I had a mountain to climb in terms of building the relationships I craved. However, slowly but surely, I began to piece my community together, and the crown jewel that held it all together right there at the beginning was Mizzou football games.
Every game that first semester looked a little different in terms of who I was surrounded by. Sometimes, it was journalism friends, other days it was residential life co-workers. But in some mysterious way, every time one side of the stadium yelled out “M-I-Z” and the other shouted “Z-O-U,” this large campus began to feel like a small town.
The lights on the field, the roar of the crowd, the sounds of the band, the heat of the sun on a warm autumn afternoon . . .
It was MU football that made it all start to feel like home. Like I belonged. Like we all belonged to a tradition from long ago.
There’s just something about the game of football that brings people together. Here in the Midwest, we see it at the high school level where the Friday Night Lights unify not just students and parents, but also alumni and fans who enjoy watching the games. Varsity football games are more than just sport; they are events etched into calendars and planners. No other high school sport brings people together quite like football. From the players on the field to the cheerleaders on the sidelines and the dance teams at half-time, football cultivates unity and passion, and we all show up for it.
Parents don’t need to plan meals on Friday nights, dinner is served from concession stands. Games have themes that we plan our outfits around, uniting us visibly. Young kids find their friends in the stands and soak in the hype knowing that one day, they may be the ones on the field getting all of the cheers.
And after high school when our hometown heroes graduate, watching them infiltrate the rosters of colleges and universities brings a unique pride. Our schools, our coaches, our communities supported those players and they will forever belong to us, no matter how far from home they go.
We are also quick to adopt players from other towns that come to play at our colleges and universities. And as soon as school starts up every fall, we make plans to travel to watch the Mizzou Tigers take the field in Columbia. Even when tickets are scarce, many of us make the less than two-hour trek just to soak in the football vibes outside of the stadium by tailgating or partaking in the pre-game hype. As a Mizzou alum with a family of my own now, I can’t wait to continue the tradition of watching the Tigers take the field with my own kids.
Game Day Tips for the Whole Family
Mizzou Football not only brings students together, it brings communities and families together. Whether you’re an alum like me or just a college football fan introducing the game to your kids, we have some tips for making a Mizzou football game day fun for the whole family! Just a 90-minute drive from St. Louis County, this makes for a full-day trip or leisurely weekend getaway.
Planning for game day is key! The 2024 Mizzou Football Game Schedule will help you choose a weekend to head to Columbia for a game. Tickets can be found on the Mizzou website or by calling the Mizzou Ticket Office at 800-CAT-PAWS. With younger kids, one of the best spots to get tickets is in the 300 section, which offers hot dogs, drinks, and popcorn. This section sells reasonably priced tickets, as well. Familiarize yourself with parking options before game day, as well. Most lots will open at 8 am on game days.
There is plenty to do with younger kids before the game kicks off. Marching Mizzou warms up by the Hearns Center before they march to the stadium. Plan to be near the stadium when Marching Mizzou, Truman, and the Golden Girls enter. Many games also include a kids fest with a bouncy house and kids activities. This is often held in front of the stadium. You can also catch the Tiger Walk – when the football team arrives at the stadium, about 2 ½ hours before kickoff. The team walks from the Mizzou Athletic Center.
Tailgating is a huge part of the football experience but it requires planning ahead if you aren’t a season ticket holder. You need to find tailgating passes on the secondary market. For a low-key tailgating experience, the VA Parking Lot allows tailgating without fire/grills.
Thank you to Future for Football and the National Football Foundation for helping make the sport more accessible to all. Use the Future For Football league locator to find a football league in your area and sign up today!
