Faurot Field facts for kids
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"The Zou"
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Faurot Field, 2007
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 Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium
Location in Missouri
Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium
Location in the United States
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| Location | 600 East Stadium Boulevard Columbia, Missouri 65201 |
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| Coordinates | 38°56′9″N 92°19′59″W / 38.93583°N 92.33306°W |
| Owner | University of Missouri |
| Operator | University of Missouri |
| Capacity | 61,620 (2019–present) 60,168 (2018) 71,168 (2014–2017) 67,124 (2013) 71,004 (2009–2012) 68,349 (2003–2008) 68,174 (1998–2002) 62,023 (1978–1997) 51,223 (1971–1977) 47,628 (1963–1970) 44,033 (1961–1962) 35,000 (1950–1960) 30,000 (1949) 25,000 (1926–1948) |
| Record attendance | 75,298 |
| Surface | Grass (1926–1984, 1995–2002) Omniturf (1985–1994) FieldTurf (2003–present) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | December 9, 1925 |
| Opened | October 2, 1926 |
| Renovated | 1978 2003 2012 |
| Expanded | 1949–1950, 1961–1965, 1971 1978 1996 2003 2009 2014 |
| Construction cost | $525,000 ($8.68 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | Jamieson and Spearl (original) Ellerbe Becket (renovation) |
| Tenants | |
| Missouri Tigers football (NCAA) (1926–present) | |
Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium is a large sports stadium. It is located in Columbia, Missouri, on the campus of the University of Missouri. This stadium is mostly used for American football games. It is the home field for the Missouri Tigers football team.
Faurot Field is the third-biggest sports place in Missouri. Only The Dome at America's Center and Arrowhead Stadium are larger. In 1972, the playing field was named Faurot Field. This was to honor a famous coach named Don Faurot.
When football season is over, the stadium is used for other sports. Soccer goals are set up for games played by students. Until 2012, it also hosted a big high school football game. This game was called the "Providence Bowl." It was between Hickman and Rock Bridge high schools. This tradition ended when Missouri joined the Southeastern Conference. Faurot Field has also hosted state high school football championships.
The stadium was built in the early 1900s. It has a horseshoe shape. More seats were added later to the open end. The curved end of the horseshoe has a grassy hill. Fans can sit on this hill during games. This hill is famous for a huge "M" made of white stones. It sits right behind the end zone.
Contents
History of Faurot Field
Building the Stadium
In 1921, people started raising money for two big projects. They wanted to build a "Memorial Union" and a "Memorial Stadium." These names honored students and alumni from Mizzou. They had lost their lives in World War I.
Construction for the stadium began in December 1925. The stadium was built in a natural valley between two hills. The first plans were for 25,000 seats. There were ideas to make it much bigger later. A funny story says that a rock crusher and truck were buried during the first digging. They might still be under the field today!
Opening Day and Early Features
Memorial Stadium opened on October 2, 1926. It was dedicated to the 112 people from Mizzou who died in World War I. The stadium had 25,000 seats. This was the lower part of the stadium you see today. It also had a track around the field.
The first game was against Tulane. It rained a lot, and a bridge to Columbia was washed out. Even though tickets sold out, the field was too wet for grass. So, they used sawdust and tree bark instead. The game ended in a 0-0 tie. After that, real grass was put in.
The famous rock 'M' appeared on October 1, 1927. It was there for a 13-6 win against Kansas State. Freshman students built the 'M'. They used leftover rocks from the stadium's construction. This 'M' is 90 feet wide and 95 feet high. It has been a special part of the stadium ever since.
Stadium Traditions
The Rock M
The rock "M" is the most famous part of the stadium. It is made of whitewashed rocks. It is 90 feet wide and 95 feet tall. Students built it in 1927. They used rocks left over from building the stadium.
Sometimes, rival fans try to change the "M" into another letter. But the groundskeepers and students always protect it. After their last home game, senior football players take a rock from the "M." This is a special souvenir for them. New freshmen also whitewash the "M" every year. They do this during welcoming events before the first home game.
The MIZ-ZOU Chant
The "M-I-Z," "Z-O-U" chant started in 1976. It began after a game against Ohio State. Ohio State had a famous "OH/IO" chant. Mizzou's cheerleaders wanted their own special chant.
A cheerleader named Cedric Lemmie suggested "MIZ-ZOU." This was an old nickname for the university. The cheerleaders decided to try it at the next home game. During the game, cheerleaders used megaphones. They told fans to yell "MIZ!" when the students yelled it. Then, the alumni section would yell "ZOU!"
This chant quickly became very popular. Today, you can hear it almost anywhere in Missouri. If someone yells "MIZ!", others will often yell back "ZOU!" The "Big MO" drum, which is the world's largest marching bass drum, often starts the chant. When the Tigers get a first down, the announcer says, "First down, M-I-Z..." and the crowd finishes with "Z-O-U!"
Stadium Upgrades and Changes
Adding More Seats (1949–1978)
Faurot Field has been updated many times over the years. In 1949, a second level of seats was added. This was built above the original stadium. More seats were added in 1961, 1963, and 1965. A new three-story press box was also built in 1967. It was finished for the 1969 season.
In 1978, the open end of the stadium was closed off. They added 10,800 permanent seats there. This brought the total seating to over 62,000.
New Playing Surfaces
In 1985, the natural grass field was replaced. A new artificial surface called Omniturf was installed. This was a big change for Mizzou. The first game on the new turf was a loss to Northwestern. This Omniturf surface became famous for a game in 1990. It was called "The Fifth Down Game." Many people, including other coaches, did not like this turf.
In 1994, The Rolling Stones held a concert at the stadium. This concert helped raise money to change the field back to natural grass. The last game on the Omniturf was in November 1994. Mizzou's record on the Omniturf was 20 wins, 38 losses, and 3 ties.
The artificial turf was removed in 1995. Natural grass was put back in. Coach Don Faurot placed the last piece of sod. He had also helped lay the original grass in 1926. He passed away later that year. As part of the new grass field, brick walls were added. These walls honor famous Tiger football players.
Modern Updates (1990s-Present)
In 1996, four tall light towers were installed. This allowed Mizzou to play night games regularly. In 1997, a large video board was added above the Rock "M." The stadium's hallways and food stands were also improved.
Before the 1999 season, a new press box and luxury suites were built. This 15-story tower was finished in 2000. It has modern facilities for coaches and media. It also has fancy suites and a restaurant. In 2003, FieldTurf replaced the natural grass again. The traditional "M" at midfield was replaced with the "Power Tiger" logo.
In 2009, a new, larger video scoreboard was installed. It was 30 by 80 feet. This new board had better video and sound. When Mizzou joined the SEC, this scoreboard was the ninth largest in the conference.
In 2012, the FieldTurf was redesigned. It got a bigger "Power Tiger" logo. SEC conference logos were added. The end zones now say "M-I-Z-Z-O-U" in black and gold. A new seating area called "Touchdown Terrace" was added.
Joining the SEC and Future Plans
When Mizzou joined the SEC, more big renovations were planned. The goal was to add about 6,000 seats. In 2013, the west side press box was updated. New premium suites were added. The "Rock M" and grass hill were moved closer to the north end zone.
For the 2014 season, an upper deck was finished on the east side. This added 5,200 general seats and 800 club seats. It also added new elevators and entrances.
In 2017, an $89 million renovation of the south end zone was approved. This project includes 16 suites and new club areas. A new video board and control room were built. Full food stands and restrooms were added. The biggest part of this project was a new base for the football program. It has new locker rooms, a weight room, meeting rooms, and offices. This project was finished before the 2019 season. The stadium's total capacity became about 65,000 seats.
Record Crowds at Faurot Field
The stadium can currently hold 60,168 fans. But in the past, even more people have fit inside. The most people ever at Faurot Field was 75,298. This was on October 4, 1980, when Missouri played Penn State.
Largest Crowds Ever
- 75,298, vs. Penn State, October 4, 1980
- 75,136, vs. Texas, September 29, 1979
- 74,575, vs. Nebraska, November 3, 1979
- 73,655, vs. Alabama, September 16, 1978
- 72,348, vs. Nebraska, October 15, 1983
Largest Crowds Since 1995
- 71,168, vs. Arkansas, November 28, 2014
- 71,168, vs. Georgia, October 11, 2014
- 71,004, vs. Alabama, October 13, 2012
- 71,004, vs. Arizona State, September 15, 2012
- 71,004, vs. Georgia, September 8, 2012
See also
In Spanish: Faurot Field para niños
