Spring Tiger Row

exclusively for members of the tiger scholarship Fund

TIGER ROWTIGER ROWTIGER ROWTIGER ROWspring 2012 VoluMe 4 • issue 2

university of Missouridepartment of intercollegiate athletics

Tiger Row Spring 20123

AAt the outset, let me thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for the University of Missouri. The year 2011 was an exciting one for the Tigers, and 2012 promises to be even more eventful, fun, engaging and successful! Football’s win over North Carolina put a nice ending on the 2011 season, and the successes we have seen in volleyball, cross country, soccer, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, swimming/diving and wrestling will really “kick us off” into the New Year.

Our main focus for 2012 will certainly be our transition into the Southeastern Conference. This process, which will require the majority of our attention for the next two and a half years, will require us to “step up our game” in all areas of Tiger Athletics. The move to the SEC is an institutional decision (not an Athletic Department decision) and is a “generational decision.” It impacts past, current and future

fans of the Tigers, and we must make sure that we are preparing ourselves for the next couple of years, and also for the next several decades. Some of the focal points in the next few years will be the following (in no priority order!):

➤ Scheduling. With the start date of July 1, 2012, we have to react quickly

to scheduling needs in our fall sports, and in particular, football. As of this writing, we have one nonconference game to fill, and we need to be cognizant of the league strength of the SEC as we finalize the schedule.

➤ Academics. Internally, we are well respected within our university for how our students perform academically. Externally, we are one of the leaders in academic performance of student-athletes nationally. That won’t change with our move to the SEC and we will actually see that strengthen.

➤ Facilities. We have great facilities at Mizzou and great donors who have made these dreams reality. However, we have a lot to do to keep this going. You’ll be seeing our master plan soon, which will require us to raise significant support privately to make this happen. There will be an initial set of projects centering on football, softball, tennis, baseball and golf, but that is really only the start of a much more important/larger statement around our facilities. The majority of work will be centered on football, but you’ll see plans for improvements in all areas of the Sports Park. You will see us add a “facility surcharge” to our season tickets for 2012-13 and beyond that will

assist in funding some of this important work. (Don’t be surprised when you see that surcharge added!)

➤ Travel. New destinations, new hotels, new communities … we’ll need to get our students, staff, university communities and fans indoctrinated.

➤ Visiting Teams. What a great opportunity we will have to welcome our new conference teams and fans to Columbia (and nonconference opponents like Arizona State). We have to be customer friendly, welcome our new opponents’ fans and show them what a great place Missouri is for them to visit. We know we want to win every game we play, but that means we can win or lose with class and we’ve got a great chance to show folks that this is what we’re all about!

➤ Season Tickets. We will need to really to push our season ticket number up toward 45,000 and beyond in football, 11,000 and beyond in men’s basketball, 3,500 and beyond in women’s basketball, and see significant growth in attendance at baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, etc. We’re in a league where there is rabid passion for all sports and we have great fans at Mizzou. We need that to keep growing.

➤ Tiger Scholarship Fund. We need to push this number to over 10,000 members with $10M+ in annual giving. Similar to season tickets/fan support, the TSF must continue to grow. We’ve done a great job for the past 10-plus years in this area. We’ve now got to reach even higher levels of support and success.

These are just a few items for your consideration. Remember, this is a generational decision and the transition will be about two and a half years. While we’ll be ready to go immediately, it’s going to take a couple of years to really indoctrinate all of us into our new home.

We are known as the “Show-Me State,” and for the past several years, Tiger Athletics has shown the country that we are a program of national recognition academically, socially and competitively. Now as we enter the SEC, we have to “Show Them” who Mizzou is, what we’re all about, how well we compete academic/socially/competitively, how welcoming and respectful we are to our visitors, and how we will compete for conference and national championships in the SEC.

What a great time to be a Tiger. Remember … we’re all “One Mizzou.”

Go Tigers!

Mike Alden

tiger rowspring 2012

alden’s corner

getting to Know the southeastern

conference— Page 4 —

2011 advocare V100 independence Bowl

— Page 10 —

wrestling:2012 ncaa

championships preview

— Page 12 —

Bowers Focusedon recovery

after acl injury— Page 14 —

congratulations, graduates!

— Page 15 —

getting to Know Mary Burke— Page 16 —

tigers Making an impact in the nFl

— Page 18 —

introducingsasha schmid— Page 20 —

alumnus Ben thomas gives Back

— Page 22 —

the Mizzou network— Page 24 —

softball season tickets now

available— Page 26 —

CuSTom PubliShing by:

573-442-1430


Getting To Know The

Change was in the air as Texas A&m and mizzou were announced as

the 13th and 14th members of the Southeastern Conference in 2011.

To help our fans get to know our new SEC brethren, here is

a snapshot of the current universities in the conference.

southeasternconFerence


getting to Know the sec

>>> Missouri is 19-8-1 all time against SEC teams. This includes a very impressive 7-2 record against SEC teams in bowl games.Just recently Missouri beat South Carolina in the 2005 Independence Bowl and beat Arkansas in the 2008 Cotton Bowl. <<<<

univERSiTy oF

ALABAMAloCATion:

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

diSTAnCE To ColumbiA:618 miles

FooTbAll STAdium:bryant-denny Stadium (101,821)

bASkETbAll AREnA:men’s: Coleman Coliseum (15,383);

women’s: Foster Auditorium (3,800)

vARSiTy SPoRTS: 21baseball, men’s and women’s

basketball, men’s and women’scross country, football, men’s and

women’s golf, women’s gymnastics, women’s rowing, women’s soccer,

softball, men’s and women’sswimming and diving, men’s and

women’s tennis, men’s and women’strack and fi eld, volleyball

univERSiTy oF

ARKANSASloCATion:

Fayetteville, Ark.


FooTbAll STAdium:Reynolds Razorback

Stadium (72,000)

bASkETbAll AREnA:bud walton Arena (19,200)



women’s golf, women’s gymnastics, women’s soccer, softball, women’s swimming and diving, men’s and


AUBURNunivERSiTy

loCATion:Auburn, Ala.


FooTbAll STAdium:Jordan hare Stadium (87,451)

bASkETbAll AREnA:Auburn Arena (9,121)


basketball, men’s and women’scross country, women’s equestrian, football, men’s and women’s golf,

women’s gymnastics, women’ssoccer, softball, men’s and

women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s tennis,men’s and women’s track

and fi eld, volleyball


univERSiTy oF

FLORIdAloCATion:

gainesville, Fla.

diSTAnCE To ColumbiA:1,008 miles

FooTbAll STAdium:ben hill griffi n Stadium, “The Swamp”

(88,548)

bASkETbAll AREnA:Stephen C. o’Connell Center (12,000)



women’s golf, women’s gymnastics, women’s lacrosse women’s soccer,

softball, men’s and women’sswimming and diving, men’s and


univERSiTy oF

GeORGIAloCATion:Athens, ga.


FooTbAll STAdium:Sanford Stadium (92,746)

bASkETbAll AREnA:Stegeman Coliseum (10,523)


basketball, men’s and women’scross country, women’s equestrian, football, men’s and women’s golf,

women’s gymnastics, women’ssoccer, softball, men’s and women’s

swimming and diving, men’s andwomen’s tennis, men’s and women’s

track and fi eld, volleyball

>>> Missouri is 19-8-1 all time against SEC teams. This includes a very impressive 7-2 record against SEC teams in bowl games.Just recently Missouri beat South Carolina in the 2005 Independence Bowl and beat Arkansas in the 2008 Cotton Bowl. <<<<

univERSiTy oF

KeNTUCKYloCATion:

lexington, ky.


FooTbAll STAdium:Commonwealth Stadium (67,942)

bASkETbAll AREnA:Rupp Arena (23,000)



women’s golf, women’s gymnastics,men’s and women’s rifl e, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and

women’s swimming and diving, men’sand women’s tennis, men’s and

women’s track and fi eld, volleyball


LOUISIANA STATe

univERSiTy

loCATion:baton Rouge, la.


FooTbAll STAdium:Tiger Stadium (92,542)

bASkETbAll AREnA:maravich Center (13,215)



women’s golf, women’s gymnastics, women’s soccer, softball, men’s and

women’s swimming and diving, men’sand women’s tennis, men’s and

women’s track and fi eld, volleyball

univERSiTy oF

MISSISSIppIloCATion:

oxford, miss.


FooTbAll STAdium:vaught-hemingwayStadium (60,580)

bASkETbAll AREnA:C.m. “Tad” SmithColiseum (9,061)



women’s golf, women’s rifl e, women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s

tennis, men’s and women’strack and fi eld, volleyball

MISSISSIppI STATe

univERSiTy

loCATion:Starkville, miss.


FooTbAll STAdium:davis wade Stadium at

Scott Field (55,082)

bASkETbAll AREnA:humphrey Coliseum (10,500)



women’s golf, women’s soccer,softball, men’s and women’s tennis,men’s and women’s track and fi eld,

volleyball

getting to Know the sec

tiger Fans: be a part of history as head Coach gary Pinkel and the football team plays their fi rst seasonin the Southeastern Conference in 2012. Season ticket information for the 2012 season has not been fi nalized. The only way to guarantee a seat at the home football contests is to purchase season tickets. >>>


2012 sec FootBall schedule: Sept. 8: georgia in Columbia, mo.; Sept. 22: at South Carolina in Columbia, S.C.; oct. 6:

vanderbilt in Columbia, mo.; oct. 13: Alabama in Columbia, mo.; oct. 27: kentucky (homecoming) in Columbia, mo.; nov. 3:

at Florida in gainesville, Fla.; nov. 10: at Tennessee in knoxville, Tenn.; nov. 24: at Texas A&m in College Station, Texas

univERSiTy oF

TeNNeSSeeloCATion:

knoxville, Tenn.


FooTbAll STAdium:neyland Stadium (102,455)

bASkETbAll AREnA:Thompson-boling Arena (21,678)


basketball, men’s and women’scross country, football, men’s andwomen’s golf, women’s rowing,women’s soccer, softball, men’s

and women’s swimming and diving,men’s and women’s tennis, men’s

and women’s track and fi eld,volleyball

univERSiTy oF

SOUTh CAROLINA

loCATion:Columbia, S.C.


FooTbAll STAdium:williams-brice Stadium (80,250)

bASkETbAll AREnA:Colonial life Arena (18,000)


basketball, women’s cross country, women’s equestrian, football, men’s

and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s

swimming and diving, men’s andwomen’s tennis, men’s and women’s

track and fi eld, volleyball

VANdeRBILTunivERSiTy

loCATion:nashville, Tenn.


FooTbAll STAdium:vanderbilt Stadium

(39,773)

bASkETbAll AREnA:memorial gym

(14,316)

vARSiTy SPoRTS: 16baseball, men’s and women’sbasketball, women’s bowling,

men’s and women’s cross country,football, men’s and women’s golf,

women’s lacrosse, women’s soccer, women’s swimming and diving,

men’s and women’s tennis,women’s track and fi eld


Missouri 41, north Carolina 24

tiger FootBall

2011 AdvoCare V100


Record seven-straight bowl appearances

independence bowl record 337 yards rushing

Independence Bowl


The city of St. Louis has become a favorite in the college wrestling world due to its

proximity to Iowa and Oklahoma, homes to four dominant wrestling programs, and sandwiched between Big 12 and Big Ten country. The accessibility of the city is what makes it so appealing. Along with the four major interstates that converge at the Arch, and the ease of Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, St. Louis is a convenient destination for fans and teams traveling to the NCAA Division

I Wrestling Championships. The arena’s location in relation to the rest of the city is accommodating as well, with many restaurants, hotels, shopping facilities and other amenities within walking distance of the building.

The Scottrade Center plays host to the St. Louis Blues hockey team and many events including concerts, ice shows and other sporting events. Located in the heart of the city, the Scottrade Center can hold approximately 20,000 fans.

Along with the actual tournament, there are plenty of fan-friendly events that will happen at the NCAA Championships in March. On Tuesday, March 13, Mizzou and the St. Louis Sports Commission while host a Youth Clinic from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aspiring wrestlers ages 10 to 16 can learn from top student-athletes and coaches, and experience what it’s like to be on wrestling’s biggest stage. At the clinic, participants will learn wrestling skills, conditioning tips and the importance of practicing good sportsmanship. All of the action takes place on the same mats where NCAA wrestlers will compete for a national title. Parents will participate in a free panel discussion featuring local experts discussing sportsmanship, nutrition, coaching and injury prevention.

Between sessions, wrestling fans are encouraged to visit the NCAA Fan Festival located just a short distance from the Scottrade Center. This year’s fan festival will feature wrestling exhibit booths, memorabilia, autograph sessions, interactive games, souvenirs and a sampling of St. Louis fare.

The NCAA Fan Festival stage will feature some of the biggest names in the sport of wrestling during daily presentations designed to keep fans entertained and informed between

FFor the sixth time in 13 years, and the first time since 2009, the Road to the NCAA Championships will end in St. Louis. The Gateway City will play host to the 82nd annual NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in 2012. The three-day event will run from Thursday, March 15 through Saturday, March 17.

With five successful hosting bids since 2000, the University of Missouri and the St. Louis Sports Commission have again teamed up for another year to host the 2012 NCAA Championships. St. Louis is the only city that has hosted back-to-back NCAA Wrestling Championships, doing so in both 2004 and 2005, and 2008 and 2009.

The NCAA Tournament will be held at the Scottrade Center, formerly known as the Savvis Center, which was the site of the 2000, 2004 and 2005 Championships. The Scottrade Center was the home to the tournament in both 2008 and 2009.

Mizzou and the Sports Commission collaborated for the first time in 2000, when they hosted the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. A record-setting 96,994 fans were in attendance for the six sessions of competition. Four years later, the tournament returned to the city, which welcomed 87,675 fans to the stands to witness the event. The very next year, the 75th annual NCAA Wrestling Championships at the Savvis Center welcomed 95,459 fans, the second-most in the history of the NCAA event.

Wrestling: 2012 NCAA Championships Preview

ncaa chaMpionship


championship sessions. The presentations are scheduled to include: the Semifinals Preview Show, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame presentation, the NWCA Coaches Clinic and USA Wrestling team practices.

Wrestling isn’t the only NCAA event that St. Louis has been picked to host this decade. Along with the four previous wrestling tournaments, St. Louis has also hosted the 2001 Women’s Final Four, the 2005 Men’s Final Four, the 2006 Men’s College Cup and the 2007 Men’s Frozen Four. The city was also been selected to host the Women’s Final Four again in 2009.

In September 2008, it was announced that St. Louis was one of only six cities selected for the inaugural “NCAA Championship City” pilot program. The program will feature multiple host opportunities of NCAA Division I, II and III men’s and women’s championships through 2012.

The 2011-12 Missouri wrestling squad is coming off its 10th straight year with a top-20 finish after placing 19th at last year’s NCAA Championships, held in Philadelphia, Pa. Last year the program set a record with nine NCAA qualifiers, and this year’s team returns seven of those wrestlers. Led by senior Dorian Henderson (174 pounds) and sophomore Alan Waters (125 pounds), the Tigers eye a top-four finish at Nationals in the hope of claiming the program’s first NCAA team trophy since it finished third in 2007.

On top of co-hosting the 2012 NCAA Wrestling Championships, Missouri will also play host to the 2012 Big 12 Conference

Championships at the Hearnes Center. This year’s event will be the fourth time that Missouri has hosted the Big 12 tournament, with the last time coming in 2007. Mizzou also hosted the event in 2003, as well as hosting the inaugural event in 1997.

The Tigers enjoyed success the last time they hosted the conference tournament, earning the program’s second runner-up finish in Missouri history. Mizzou finished with 61.5 points, five points behind champion Iowa State and half a point ahead of Oklahoma. That season, the Tigers had three champions in Ben Askren (174), Raymond Jordan (184) and Max Askren (197) along with one runner-up in Tyler McCormick (133).

After finishing second again last season at the Big 12 Championships, Missouri looks to close out their last season in the Big 12 Conference with their first conference championship. Last year’s squad posted 60.0 points after having four finalists, half a point ahead of Oklahoma and behind champion Oklahoma State, who ran away with 77.0 points. Missouri had two champions, senior Todd Schavrien (141) and junior Dom Bradley (HWT), along with two runner-ups in redshirt freshman Kyle Bradley (149) and sophomore Nick Gregoris (157).

Tickets for both the Big 12 Championships and NCAA Championships are on sale now. For information on tickets for the Big 12 Championship, visit mutigers.com. Ticket info for the NCAA Championship can be found at ncaa.com or ticketmaster.com

ThE nCAA FAn FESTivAl STAgE will FEATuRE SomE oF ThE biggEST nAmES in ThE SPoRT oF wRESTling.


SSince suffering a season-ending ACL tear during a pick-up game Oct. 3, Mizzou forward Laurence Bowers has worked to improve his shooting and work on skills that don’t put extra stress on his legs.

“I’ve been working on stationary shooting,” said Bowers, who will receive a medical redshirt and will return for the 2012-13 season. “I’ve got a full range of motion now. When I was on crutches, I did a lot of shooting from a seated position. Now that I can put weight on my leg, I’ve taken stationary shots. I’ve also been lifting weights. I just can’t run or do anything too physical.”

While the Memphis native is disappointed he won’t get to play this season, he said he is eager for next year to arrive so he can come back healthy and ready to play.

Since he cannot see game action for himself, Bowers has taken to serving as an extra pair of eyes for first-year Head Coach Frank Haith, who has incorporated Bowers’ observations into his strategy. Bowers said he’s gained a new perspective on the game watching from the bench, and this vantage point allows him to give pointers to frontcourt teammates Ricardo Ratliffe and Steve Moore.

“I had a pretty good IQ of what was going on when I was playing, but when I sit and see it from a coach’s perspective, I can tell them what they can correct and give them pointers on defense,” Bowers said. “You see a lot of stuff when you’re on the bench.”

The senior also has become a cheerleader for his teammates, encouraging the Tigers and their fans from the bench. He said he thinks Mizzou feeds off his emotion.

“I have to live the game through my teammates. I’m physically unable, but not spiritually or mentally,” Bowers said. “I think everybody wants to win badly this year, but they want to make it special for me since I can’t be a part of the game. My plan is to do whatever I can from the sidelines.”

After Mizzou made the NCAA Tournament three straight years playing in former coach Mike Anderson’s up-tempo system, many fans wondered how the Tigers would adjust to Haith’s style, which places a premium on high-percentage shooting and smart defense. Bowers said Mizzou has made the change effectively because of the skills they learned before their new coach arrived.

athlete proFile

Bowers FocusedOn RecoveryAfter ACL Injuryby RyAn SChmiTz, mizzou mEdiA RElATionS

“I think it’s been a smoother transition than people would’ve expected,” he said. “It would have been harder to go the other way, from Coach Haith to Coach Anderson. I feel like once you have that running mentality, it makes slowing down easier.”

The Tigers may find it easy to slow the tempo of their game, but Bowers has no plans to ease up in his recovery. His teammates won’t let off the accelerator, either, in what promises to be an exciting and successful season.

“i hAvE To livE ThE gAmE ThRough my TEAmmATES ... my PlAn iS To do whATEvER i CAn FRom ThE SidElinES.”


The university of missouri held commencement

ceremonies for december 2011 graduates on dec. 16

and 17. Congratulations to all our current and former

student-athletes who graduated!

Congratulations, Graduates!

tiger tidBits


AAs a senior on a young, talent-laden gymnastics team, Mary Burke has stepped up as a leader, not only in her events, but in the classroom and the locker room as well. The Inverness, Ill., native committed to the Tiger gymnastics program during her senior year of high school after making a visit to the school with her family.

She said she “fell in love with not only the campus and the coaches, but with the people and the amazing atmosphere as well.”

Her experience at her high school, William Fremd, and at the American Academy of Gymnastics just outside of Chicago, has given her quite the competitive edge at the Division I level. She qualifi ed three times for Junior Olympic Nationals in high school. Since then, Burke has lived up to the challenge that comes with competing at such an elite level.

Her success at the high school level has translated seamlessly over the past three years at Mizzou. Burke was named Gymnast of the Week by the Big 12 Conference for two consecutive weeks in January last season, and tacked on two more honors throughout the rest of the season. Her all-around championship title tie with teammate Lauren Swankoski at the Missouri Quad Meet was just her fi rst of the year. She went on to be named the Big 12 All-Around Champion at the Big 12 Championship, and also placed second on the uneven bars. Not to be outshone in the classroom, Burke was named to the Big 12 All-Academic fi rst team for the 2010-2011 season.

This year, Burke is excited to come back 100 percent healthy

after leg surgery in April. As she looks to bring leadership to the young squad and improve on last year’s efforts, staying focused and healthy are the two most important things.

“After rehabbing my leg for the past eight months, being healthy has been my main goal,” she said. “think we really have a great team this year.”

Burke was part of the exciting win over fi ve-time defending national champion Georgia at the NCAA Regional two years ago. That Mizzou team qualifi ed for the National Championships for the fi rst time in the current format. She cites this as her most memorable experience as a Tiger.

“The atmosphere and the tournament and just the whole meet were absolutely exciting and dramatic. It was by far my best memory ever with gymnastics.”

Burke expects to have another outstanding season competing for the top of the podium at each match. The brand new Tiger Performance Complex for the Golden Girls and the Gymnastics programs have really given the team a boost in morale.

“The facility is absolutely amazing,” she said. “It’s really motivated us; you really look forward to being here every day because it’s so great.”

As a Health Sciences major, Burke is planning to attend graduate school to study Physical Therapy. She is looking forward to the challenges that the program brings for her future. For now though, Mary Burke looks to settle in for her fi nal year at Mizzou with a strong fi nish to an outstanding career.

athlete proFile

Getting To Know Mary Burkeby AdAm SingER, mizzou mEdiA RElATionS

mARy buRkE wAS nAmEd ThE big 12 All-ARound ChAmPion AT ThE big 12 ChAmPionShiP in 2011.


colin BrownOL, Buffalo BillsBrown signed with the Bills in the offseason and played in 11 games on the offensive line protecting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2011. A guard, Brown started Buffalo’s final two games at center due to injuries. His action at center was the first in a live game in his football career.

chase danielQB, New Orleans SaintsDrew Brees’ backup for the

third straight season, Daniel played in every game for the Saints in 2011, mainly as the holder for placekicks.

andrew gachKarLB, San Diego ChargersMizzou’s last player taken in the 2011 draft, Gachkar made a niche for himself in San Diego on special teams.

Ziggy hoodDL, Pittsburgh SteelersIn his third season with the Steelers, Hood has become a

fixture on the defensive line in Pittsburgh. He now plays de-fensive end in Pittsburgh’s 3-4 defense, after playing defen-sive tackle at Mizzou.

williaM MooreS, Atlanta FalconsMoore was a starter for all but one game in which he played in during his third season in Atlanta, despite missing four games midway through the year due to injury. He recorded a career high four passes defended against New Orleans

tigers go pro

Tigers Making An Impact In The NFLover the last decade, former missouri football players have become household names for their play inthe nFl. during the 2011 nFl season, 15 former missouri football players saw time on active nFl rosters.below is a breakdown of their seasons:

danario alexander wR, St. louis RamsIn his second year with the Rams, Alexander emerged as the team’s best deep target.He had two touchdowns on the year and posted a career high 122 yards and a TD against the Giants in his first action of the season.

on Dec. 26 and had two interceptions on the season.

c.J. MosleyDL, Jacksonville JaguarsMosley completed his second season in Jacksonville and seventh overall in the NFL in 2011. The defensive lineman played all but one game for the Jaguars and had three con-secutive starts midway through the year. Mosley had his most productive games in the starts, including a sack of Houston’s Matt Schaub.

Martin rucKerTE, Jacksonville JaguarsRucker started the 2011 season on Dallas’ practice squad but was signed by the Jaguars during the year. He played one game in Jacksonville, in a game against Houston, before being placed on injured reserve in early November.

KeVin rutlandDB, Jacksonville JaguarsThe fourth former Tiger on the Jaguars roster in 2011, Rutland was one of three Jacksonville undrafted free agents to make the opening day roster. The cornerback grabbed his first NFL interception against Tampa Bay in early December and had a career high five tack-les against San Diego.

aldon sMithLB, San Francisco 49ersA strong candidate for Defen-sive Rookie of the Year, Smith is making a name for himself


in San Francisco as one of the game’s best pass rushers. Smith set the 49ers rookie sack record despite not being an every down player. He was an integral part of San Francisco’s stingy defense, a unit that did not allow a rushing touchdown in the first 14 games of the sea-son, which was an NFL record.

Brad sMithWR, Buffalo BillsAfter five seasons with the New

York Jets, Smith signed with the Bills in the offseason. He was productive in his new offense, as Smith had the second-most receptions and receiving yards of his six-year NFL career. Ever versatile on the football field, Smith had a receiving and rush-ing touchdown in 2011, the first time in his career he did both in the same season.

Justin sMithDE, San Francisco 49ers

A cornerstone of San Francisco’s dominating defense in 2011, Smith earned his third consecutive Pro Bowl appearance in 2011 as a starter for the NFC. Smith has been a huge factor in San Francisco’s drastic turnaround from a year ago and is being discussed as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, thanks in part to helping the 49ers set an NFL record after not surrendering

a rushing touchdown in the first 14 games of the season.

sean weatherspoonLB, Atlanta FalconsAfter dealing with injuries much of his rookie season, Weatherspoon had a breakout year in his second year with the Falcons. He ranked second on the team in total tackles and sacks and first in tackles for loss and is emerging as one the best young linebackers in the NFL.

Blaine gaBBert Qb, Jacksonville JaguarsThe Jaguars’ first round pick in the 2011 draft, Gabbert was thrust into the starting lineup in week three and started every game from then on. He had an up-and-down rookie season but showed promise despite a shaky receiving corps and a myriad of injuries to the squad.

JereMy Maclin wR, Philadelphia EaglesDespite missing most of training camp, Maclin was as good as ever for the Eagles in 2011. The wide receiver led the team in touchdowns for the second straight season. In his third year in the NFL, Maclin has become a household name and is always a threat to score thanks to his breakaway speed.


how did you know Mizzou was the right fit for you?“As I went through the interview process, it became more apparent to me that it was a really good fit. It was a really easy process. It was a very well-rounded interview process. If (Mizzou) had only asked me questions about winning, win-loss record, best win, that’s just one

component. I’m not sure coming from a mid-major university I could have shined as much as other candidates. But if you looked at the whole philosophy and core values at Missouri, it was a definite fit. Then I knew Missouri was a good fit for me.”

what made the spring the right time to leave

stetson?“I was really happy where I was and I wasn’t really looking for anything but as it came about it seemed important for me personally and professionally. It’s turned out to be quite a blessing that I’m at a university that supports a well-rounded college athletics experience. And then, now to have been

here this fall and have the amazing opportunity to move to the SEC, is an incredible opportunity and blessing and challenge. I never thought I’d be in this situation a year ago. So sometimes I have to wake myself up. It’s been quite an amazing year. I’m grateful for the year I’ve gotten here to transition to getting used to being at Missouri and in the

coach proFile

Introducing Sasha Schmidon April 26, 2011, mizzou Tennis ushered in a new era as Sasha Schmid was announced as the program’s new head coach. Schmid, who spent 10 seasons at the helm of Stetson university, came to mizzou as a three-time Atlantic Sun Conference Coach of the year recipient. Schmid now guides the Tigers through the team’s transition to the Southeastern Conference and beyond.

MiZZou tennis head

coach


Big 12 and then transition into the SEC. I’m thrilled with this opportunity and extremely grateful for being given this chance.”

I was not looking for a new jo b. If the phone doesn’t ring that day this doesn’t happen. I was really happy where I was. But I also think sometimes you can be happy and content and you need a push to get out of your comfort zone and have a new challenge. I’m a wife and a mom so it was a big decision because it disrupts other lives. It involved my husband relocating and my children relocating but in the end it has worked out great for all of us. It’s been a wonderful move for us. I love having the girls being raised here in Columbia; my husband is really happy. In the end, I think the phone was meant to ring, I was meant to answer it and have a conversation with Mary Austin.

how does your experience turning around stetson translate to Mizzou?“I think that’s very helpful, I think it translates. There is something challenging about taking a program, having a vision for it and building something. That’s what I saw here, a great opportunity. Missouri had a wonderful year last year in tennis and there were so many things they were doing well, getting into the national rankings. But I thought there was tremendous potential that had been untapped. I thought it was a great opportunity to come in and have great things happen. I do think being able to have a

clear vision, having a system in place for training, being able to establish that, which I’m doing here. You have to change things and tweak them. It’s like the same formula.”

how has this experience been different from your previous stops?“Here at Missouri I have help. I have a tremendous support staff, Jason (Potthoff), an assistant coach. We have a strength coach, a sport psychologist, a nutritionist — all of those things were really amazing coming from a small school where you really wear all of those hats. So now I can focus on things that are my strengths. And the things which aren’t my strengths, I now have a support staff around me to help me in those areas.”

what does the move to the sec mean for tennis?“The move to the SEC — you can’t underestimate the importance of that. In tennis, the SEC is tremendous. SEC tennis is really the best; that’s where the best Americans want to play. They’re consistently playing for national championships in men’s and women’s tennis. It’s where you want to be. As a coach, for me to be in that league, it’s absolutely incredible. In a weird way I’m more in my comfort zone coming from Stetson and that region. I know how good it is and I know how much we need to improve. Every decision Jason and I make, we make in mind that this is where we need to be against the SEC.

We’re not just happy to be moving into the SEC and fi nd a home there. We want to be a competitive program in the SEC. What the SEC gives us is an amazing opportunity to play against the best players and the best teams. Our kids will have the chance to play the best. And you can’t be the best unless you play the best. We’ve seen differences in recruiting and it is defi nitely shaping our transition in terms of our facilities and construction. Every step we make here we make understanding where the bar is, what the competition is, and what we need to be to be completive there.”

how have you and your family adapted to columbia?“We moved here in the summer time and it’s just been really busy. The girls started school. But it wasn’t until after the holidays that it started to feel like home. We were driving home from visiting

family for the holidays. When we drove in it felt like home. It was really the fi rst time it felt like home, through different road trips and other places I’ve gone. We got back to the house and it really felt like home. We’ve really settled in and we’re really comfortable here. I’m anxious to experience Columbia outside of this loop from Lucy’s school to Lily’s school to my offi ce. I’m excited to experience more of Columbia. But everyone here is nice and the girls are really happy. Once I get past one year, once I have done everything once, I’ll have some more time to venture out and see more of Columbia.”

what is it like to be a part of this athletic department and university?“I really love Mizzou Athletics. I’m really happy to be a part of this athletic program. The excitement surrounding all the teams here has really been fun and inspiring.”

“SEC TEnniS iS REAlly ThE bEST; ThAT’S whERE

ThE bEST AmERiCAnS wAnT To PlAy.”


“The thing I like about it is, it’s very much a people business,” Thomas says. “I get to work with people and help solve their problems.”

His urge to help others reflects in his generosity to the University of Missouri, where he spent many years developing countless fond memories. After enrolling at Mizzou, Thomas joined the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, where he made many friends he still holds dear today. One of his best friends in the brotherhood was also a golf team member, and Thomas remembers the fun they had as athletes under Coach Al Chandler.

Back when Thomas played, the golf team didn’t have a practice facility, so Coach Chandler would hang tarps from the back of the bleachers in the old Rothwell Gym. Thomas and his teammates

would practice by hitting golf balls off of the packed dirt floor and into the tarps.

Thomas laughs remembering the rudimentary set-up, “I can’t imagine doing that now, but Coach tried to do things like that in the winter to help us better our performance in the spring.”

Coach Chandler wasn’t the only one who came up with creative ways to practice in the winter. Thomas and his best friend David would often visit the 11th fairway at A.L. Gustin Golf Course to hit a few balls in January and February.

“We would take a pledge from the Beta house,” Thomas explains. “He ‘volunteered’ to shag balls for us in the cold and I would sit in David’s car with the heater on while Dave would hit the balls, and then I’d go out and hit balls.”

For our current student-athletes, practicing in the winter has become much more sophisticated. This is largely due to Thomas’ generosity. Thomas has been supporting the team annually for more than 25 years, so he gladly got involved with the new golf facility project.

“When it was presented a few years ago, it sounded like an excellent idea from both a recruiting and enhancement standpoint,” Thomas says. “It also has the side benefit of being a place for alums to get together at times. It felt like something I needed to do to help the golf team.”

As Mizzou enters a larger conference, the Old Hawthorne Golf Facility will prove to be invaluable for the athletes, as they will be able to continue their training throughout the winter months. The new facility will boast indoor/outdoor hitting bays and a private driving range, chipping area and putting green. Athletes will be able to analyze their swing pattern with the help of high speed cameras. The facility will hold two locker rooms and two lounge areas and will be adjacent to the Club at Old Hawthorne, where the team currently practices.

The facility has about 80 percent of the funds needed to

FFor alumnus Ben Thomas, giving back to Mizzou just makes sense. Thomas was born and raised in Rolla, Mo., and initially enrolled at Tulane University, where he played in the State Junior Golf tournament in 1966. Athletic Director Don Faurot was impressed by Thomas’ performance, and recruited him to the University of Missouri, leading to Thomas’ lifelong commitment and dedication to Tiger Athletics.

Thomas graduated from the University of Missouri’s law school in 1973, and then moved out West with his wife, Carolyn. After doing litigation for a law firm in Arizona, Thomas began to dream of bigger things. Inspired at the start of the Ronald Reagan era, Thomas established his own law firm in 1980: Thomas, Thomas and Markson. Thomas poured the same drive and excellence into his career that he did as a student and athlete at Mizzou, and he remains president of the firm today. Thomas’ passion for his career has a lot to do with his compassion for people.

aluMni proFile

AlumnusBen ThomasGives Back

ThE nEw FACiliTy hAS AbouT 80 PERCEnT oF ThE FundS nEEdEd To ComPlETE ThE PRoJECT.

ben and Carolyn Thomas


complete the project. Plans to break ground are expected in early 2012. Much of this progress is owed to Thomas’ support, which he gives as encouragement to the current team and in memory of his time spent at Mizzou.

“I see the current coach, Mark Leroux, is trying really hard to provide a positive experience for these young guys on the golf team,” Thomas says. “So I just want to do something to thank and give back to a part of my life that was important to me.”

Thomas and his wife now reside in Paradise Valley, Ariz.,

inFoRmATion REgARding gRound bREAking on ThE old hAwThoRnE golF FACiliTy will bE AvAilAblE lATER ThiS yEAR.

but they return to Columbia every fall to attend the annual golf reunion. It’s a great chance for Thomas to catch up with his old golf buddies and get to know the current golf team. He loves the chance to tell a few old stories, but what he loves most is simply the chance to return to Mizzou.

“It’s all a part of the Mizzou experience,” Thomas says. “Whether it’s just being on the campus, or going to the fraternity house, or seeing my golf team friends, or wondering if Mizzou’s going to be on TV this weekend. It’s part of the whole thing.”


TThe Mizzou Network, which launched on Dec. 1, 2011, in conjunction with a redesigned mutigers.com, is a new online platform for live streaming of games, video features, previews of upcoming games, general information, campus features and archives of historical content. Fans can access the site at www.MizzouNetwork.com or www.mutigers.tv.

The network, which will be accessible through smart phones, tablet computers and Internet-capable televisions, is a fantastic

tool for recruiting and promoting the Mizzou brand. It will follow the model of the old Mizzou All-Access, which had subscription fees of $9.95 a month or $79.95 for a year. Most video features, highlights and previews will be free to fans, while live content will be subscription-based.

In the first weeks, the Mizzou Network programming included a Mizzou Legends piece on Chase Daniel, footage from the 1961 Orange Bowl, the 2007 football game against Kansas and a 2009

tigers online

The Mizzou Network

log on AT www.MiZZounetworK.coM oR www.Mutigers.tV


what is it?The mizzou network is a web-based, audio-video platform showcasing unique mizzou content. it consists of a combination of on-demand and live content.

how is it different from Mizzou all-access?The mizzou network is a rebranding of mizzou All-Access. in addition to the name change, there will be a greater emphasis on exclusive content for all mizzou sports, as well as the inclusion of university and historic content.

why is it unique?what makes the mizzou network unique is the turnkey distribution to multiple platforms. when a video is posted to the mizzou network page on mutigers.

com, it is automatically pushed to the offi cial CbS mobile app (available on Apple, Android and blackberry).

distribution is also a unique component. missouri athletic content will reach more fans than ever before through its syndication efforts with CbS interactive and CbS Audience network.

what type of content will be on the Mizzou network?Content will range from standard highlights to coach/player interviews, special reports, features, historic games, live events and more. Content and programming will continue to evolve. Every day there will be something new.

will the Mizzou network be enhancing live event coverage?

The goal is to enhance live event coverage. in the short term, we will be adding multi-camera live streams to select events. Eventually we plan to do so for all or most of our events, but we do not have a fi rm timetable on when that will happen.

how much does it cost?The model will stay the same as the old mizzou All-Access. The vast majority of on-demand content (interviews, highlights, features, etc) will remain free. live audio and video will require a subscription. monthly subscriptions cost $9.95 and an annual subscription is $79.95. Subscribers to mizzou All-Access will continue to have uninterrupted access to the mizzou network.

4-14-12 is the day that the Missouri Athletic

Department will unveil its new looks for the future

of all of our teams and the department. With the success over the last 10 years and the move to the SEC, our brand

is becoming a national brand and not just a regional brand. On 4-14-12 we will reveal the results of an 18-month-long

branding project.

mizzou nETwoRk FAQ

basketball contest against the Jayhawks, as well as a myriad of event previews and other pieces.

“Our goal is to showcase unique content from Mizzou,” said Andrew Grinch, associate athletic director for strategic communications. “We’re hoping our fans will become accustomed to going straight to the Mizzou Network, as opposed to trying to fi nd Mizzou Athletics content from other sources.”

Although the Mizzou Network offi cially launched on Dec. 1, the look of the network still continues to evolve.

With Missouri’s move to the Southeastern Conference next season, the Mizzou Network is even more important as it is a great plac e for fans interested in educating themselves about the school to learn about the 14th member of the conference.


FSoftball SeasonTickets Now Available

tiger soFtBall

For the first time ever, the Mizzou Softball team is selling season tickets for the 2012 season. Softball is the sixth Tiger program to offer season tickets, joining football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball and gymnastics. Season tickets range in price from $50 to $60 for adults, and $25 to $30 for youth and seniors. A Family Four Pack in the bucket seats is available for $150. Chairbacks are also available for bleacher seating for $5 for the season.

march 9 demarini

invitational

Alcorn State

at 12:30 p.m.

boise State

at 3 p.m.

march 10 Alcorn State

at 12:30 p.m.

boise State

at 3 p.m.

march 11 northern illinois

at noon

march 12 Alcorn State

at 2 p.m.

march 16 kansas at 6 p.m.

march 17 kansas at 2 p.m.

march 18 kansas at noon

march 21 iowa at

3 p.m. & 5 p.m.

march 28 Evansville at

3 p.m. & 5 p.m.

march 30 baylor at 6 p.m.

march 31 baylor at 2 p.m.

April 1 baylor at noon

April 11 northern iowa

at 4 p.m.

April 13 Texas Tech

at 6 p.m.

April 14 Texas Tech

at 2 p.m.

April 15 Texas Tech

at noon

April 18 western illinois

at 4 p.m.

may 11 oklahoma State

at 6 p.m.


at 2 p.m.


at noon

2012 soFtBallhoMe schedule

FoR moRE inFoRmATion,oR To oRdERSEASon TiCkETS, PlEASE CAll ThE mizzou TiCkEToFFiCE AT 1-800-CAT-PAwS(573-884-7297in mid-miSSouRi).

Ad heRe

University of Missouri Tiger Scholarship Fundone Champions driveColumbia, mo 65211

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDUniversity

of Missouri

Spring Tiger Row

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