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University Nickname: Tigers
The origins of Missouri's nickname dates to the Civil War period, when the state's citizens took action to fend off attacks
on their towns. Pillaging guerrilla bands were systematically raiding small towns and Columbia residents were under
the constant fear of attack. In response to the terror community vigilante groups were formed for protection.
The spirited cohesiveness of the town's people paid off when word spread that the disreputable Bill Anderson and his
guerrilla band had their eye on sacking Columbia. An armed band of citizens quickly formed, built a blockhouse and
fortified the old courthouse in the town's center. The strength of the group called the "Missouri Tigers" made such an
impression that Anderson's gang bypassed Columbia. When Missouri began playing football in 1890, the athletic
committee adopted the "Tiger" nickname in official recognition of the town's defenders.
The origins of Missouri's nickname dates to the Civil War period, when the state's citizens took action to fend off attacks
on their towns. Pillaging guerrilla bands were systematically raiding small towns and Columbia residents were under
the constant fear of attack. In response to the terror community vigilante groups were formed for protection.
The spirited cohesiveness of the town's people paid off when word spread that the disreputable Bill Anderson and his
guerrilla band had their eye on sacking Columbia. An armed band of citizens quickly formed, built a blockhouse and
fortified the old courthouse in the town's center. The strength of the group called the "Missouri Tigers" made such an
impression that Anderson's gang bypassed Columbia. When Missouri began playing football in 1890, the athletic
committee adopted the "Tiger" nickname in official recognition of the town's defenders.
Missouri Tigers Mascot: Truman
Much like the University's "Tiger" nickname, the name of Missouri's mascot also adds a historical perspective. Truman
the Tiger is named for Missouri-bred President of the United States, Harry S. Truman.
Much like the University's "Tiger" nickname, the name of Missouri's mascot also adds a historical perspective. Truman
the Tiger is named for Missouri-bred President of the United States, Harry S. Truman.
The costumed mascot is a regular at the school's football and
basketball games, and his appearance at schools, hospitals,
county fairs and other events makes fans 'roar' with delight.
Truman makes a 'six-alarm' entrance into the football stadium on
gamedays when he arrives on a fire truck with sirens blaring. The
1950s-vintage Boone County fire truck known as "Truman's Taxi"
sports Mizzou Black and Gold colors and flies several Missouri
flags.
Truman has also been recognized as one of the nation's best
mascots. The talented Tiger actors that are introduced as
"Truman" during Senior Night festivities have helped the mascot
to be recognized as the "Best mascot in the nation" several times.
basketball games, and his appearance at schools, hospitals,
county fairs and other events makes fans 'roar' with delight.
Truman makes a 'six-alarm' entrance into the football stadium on
gamedays when he arrives on a fire truck with sirens blaring. The
1950s-vintage Boone County fire truck known as "Truman's Taxi"
sports Mizzou Black and Gold colors and flies several Missouri
flags.
Truman has also been recognized as one of the nation's best
mascots. The talented Tiger actors that are introduced as
"Truman" during Senior Night festivities have helped the mascot
to be recognized as the "Best mascot in the nation" several times.
| University of Missouri Nickname and Truman Mascot Story Mizzou Gameday Traditions and More! |
| Missouri's Truman Tiger Mascot is easy to find since he's a regular at hundreds of Mizzou functions across the state. |
Missouri's Rock Solid "M" Tradition
A giant "M" made of whitewashed stones serves
as 'rock solid' symbol of Tiger pride. The landmark
guards the football stadium's north end zone and
makes quite an impression with its 90-foot wide
and 95-foot high measurements.
The tremendous task of putting the letter in place
was performed by the freshmen class of 1927.
The University's yearbook, "The Savitar," reflected
on the debut of the Mizzou symbol on Oct. 1, 1927
when it was in place for Missouri's 13-6 win over
Kansas.
"Five-hundred freshmen joined hands and
encircled the cinder track in a single line while the
band played 'Old Missouri' in the center of the field.
The pennants of all the Missouri Valley fluttered
and danced above the stadium on the long line at
the open end of the gridiron. A stone M--the work of
the Frosh the night before--loomed up white and
threatening against the embankment."
A giant "M" made of whitewashed stones serves
as 'rock solid' symbol of Tiger pride. The landmark
guards the football stadium's north end zone and
makes quite an impression with its 90-foot wide
and 95-foot high measurements.
The tremendous task of putting the letter in place
was performed by the freshmen class of 1927.
The University's yearbook, "The Savitar," reflected
on the debut of the Mizzou symbol on Oct. 1, 1927
when it was in place for Missouri's 13-6 win over
Kansas.
"Five-hundred freshmen joined hands and
encircled the cinder track in a single line while the
band played 'Old Missouri' in the center of the field.
The pennants of all the Missouri Valley fluttered
and danced above the stadium on the long line at
the open end of the gridiron. A stone M--the work of
the Frosh the night before--loomed up white and
threatening against the embankment."
| Mizzou's Farout Field The stone M is this stadium's top landmark in the stadium that built in 1926. The Tigers venue has a capacity of 71,004, although that limit has been exceeded several times. |
A revision was made to the "M" the night before a scheduled football game against Nebraska in the 1950s that
caused a 'moving' and frantic response. A group of pranksters had changed the letter to an "N," but with the
combined efforts of school grounds keepers and a group of boys, the "M" was restored before kickoff
caused a 'moving' and frantic response. A group of pranksters had changed the letter to an "N," but with the
combined efforts of school grounds keepers and a group of boys, the "M" was restored before kickoff
MIZZOU PIONEER IN ARTIFICIAL PLAYING SURFACES
Although the artificial turf that was installed in 1985 on what is now, Faurot Field has been replaced, the fields first
artificial surface made its debut in 1926. Construction of the sunken stadium was delayed by the heaviest
September rainfall in 35 years. By the time that the home opener against Tulane arrived there was no grass surface
prepared for the teams to play on. Bad weather wreaked havoc the day of the game as well, drenching the 10,000
fans who showed up for Memorial stadium's opening ceremonies.
"Without sod, sawdust and tanbark were spread on the field as an alternative, and the Tigers and the Green Wave
played to a scoreless, mudpie tie," Bob Broeg wrote in his two historical books on Missouri football.
TIGER TROPHY GAMES
INDIAN WAR DRUM
This trophy game was conceived in 1935 by a couple of Missouri alumni. The original purpose of this trophy was to
stimulate dwindling interest in the Missouri-Kansas game that had faded during the great depression of the 1930s.
The game reflects the heritage of the Osage Indians, a tribe that once roamed the plains of the two states.
Speculation is that the original trophy, an authentic Indian drum, was purchased in a Kansas City pawn shop and
was later replaced by a new one in 1986. The Indian Drum is given to the winning school each year.
MISSOURI-NEBRASKA BELL
This tradition rang into existence in 1927 when Missouri officials suggested that a trophy should be presented to the
winning school. The bell had an ominous beginning since it was originally stolen from a church in Seward, Neb. by
two Nebraska fraternities. that shared the same house.
The first battles for the bell were between the two frats after they moved to
separate living quarters. However, when the two universities needed a trophy to play for the bell was donated for the
cause. Today the bell symbolizes the rivalry with its engraved
"M" on one side and an "N" on the other.
TELEPHONE TROPHY
A surprising conversation that a Tiger assistant football coach heard on his headset prior to the 1959 Missouri-Iowa
State game, keyed this trophy game. Because the wires were crossed in the press box, he was able to tune into
pregame discussions held by the Cyclone coaching staff Mizzou won the game that was played in Ames, 14-0.
Northwestern Bell donated the trophy that features an old-style phone mounted
on a pedestal. The Telephone Trophy is presented to the team that makes the 'right calls' and wins the game.
THE TIGER-SOONER PEACE PIPE
The smoking of an old pipe during the 1929 Missouri-Oklahoma game
initiated the tradition of this trophy game. Not only does the peace pipe go home
with the winning school, but it also blows smoke during halftime ceremonies as representatives from both schools
participate in the smoking ritual. The peace pipe was donated by former Missouri student body president, R. L. Hill.
University of Missouri Fight Song: Fight, Tiger
Often the songs Every True Son, Mizzou Cheer and Fight Tiger are all played in a row.
University Colors: Black and MU Gold
Although early historical references indicate that Missouri athletic teams once donned crimson and gold as its
school colors, black and gold are the colors that have roared the loudest. The black and gold colors were selected
to match the university's Tiger tradition.
Although the artificial turf that was installed in 1985 on what is now, Faurot Field has been replaced, the fields first
artificial surface made its debut in 1926. Construction of the sunken stadium was delayed by the heaviest
September rainfall in 35 years. By the time that the home opener against Tulane arrived there was no grass surface
prepared for the teams to play on. Bad weather wreaked havoc the day of the game as well, drenching the 10,000
fans who showed up for Memorial stadium's opening ceremonies.
"Without sod, sawdust and tanbark were spread on the field as an alternative, and the Tigers and the Green Wave
played to a scoreless, mudpie tie," Bob Broeg wrote in his two historical books on Missouri football.
TIGER TROPHY GAMES
INDIAN WAR DRUM
This trophy game was conceived in 1935 by a couple of Missouri alumni. The original purpose of this trophy was to
stimulate dwindling interest in the Missouri-Kansas game that had faded during the great depression of the 1930s.
The game reflects the heritage of the Osage Indians, a tribe that once roamed the plains of the two states.
Speculation is that the original trophy, an authentic Indian drum, was purchased in a Kansas City pawn shop and
was later replaced by a new one in 1986. The Indian Drum is given to the winning school each year.
MISSOURI-NEBRASKA BELL
This tradition rang into existence in 1927 when Missouri officials suggested that a trophy should be presented to the
winning school. The bell had an ominous beginning since it was originally stolen from a church in Seward, Neb. by
two Nebraska fraternities. that shared the same house.
The first battles for the bell were between the two frats after they moved to
separate living quarters. However, when the two universities needed a trophy to play for the bell was donated for the
cause. Today the bell symbolizes the rivalry with its engraved
"M" on one side and an "N" on the other.
TELEPHONE TROPHY
A surprising conversation that a Tiger assistant football coach heard on his headset prior to the 1959 Missouri-Iowa
State game, keyed this trophy game. Because the wires were crossed in the press box, he was able to tune into
pregame discussions held by the Cyclone coaching staff Mizzou won the game that was played in Ames, 14-0.
Northwestern Bell donated the trophy that features an old-style phone mounted
on a pedestal. The Telephone Trophy is presented to the team that makes the 'right calls' and wins the game.
THE TIGER-SOONER PEACE PIPE
The smoking of an old pipe during the 1929 Missouri-Oklahoma game
initiated the tradition of this trophy game. Not only does the peace pipe go home
with the winning school, but it also blows smoke during halftime ceremonies as representatives from both schools
participate in the smoking ritual. The peace pipe was donated by former Missouri student body president, R. L. Hill.
University of Missouri Fight Song: Fight, Tiger
Often the songs Every True Son, Mizzou Cheer and Fight Tiger are all played in a row.
University Colors: Black and MU Gold
Although early historical references indicate that Missouri athletic teams once donned crimson and gold as its
school colors, black and gold are the colors that have roared the loudest. The black and gold colors were selected
to match the university's Tiger tradition.