3rd Annual Mizzou TSF Summit
The University of Missouri held its 3rd Annual Mizzou TSF (Tiger Scholarship Fund) Summit at the Greenbriar Hills Country Club, Thursday, March 6, 2014. Tiger Alumni Robert Griggs and Don LaPoint hosted and underwrote the event, which raised money to go toward the 110% Campaign.
The mission of the Tiger Scholarship Fund revolves around providing scholarship support for Mizzou student-athletes. All contributions given to the TSF annual fund are used to cover scholarship expenses such as tuition, room, board, counseling, tutors, and life skills programs for Mizzou student-athletes.
The University of Missouri does not receive institutional support for operational and debt service funding toward its intercollegiate athletics program. Consequently,, similar to private businesses, the Mizzou Athletics Department must operate solely from whatever revenue it generates.
All gifts to the TSF are invested in a fiscally responsible manner to “Prepare Champions for Life” and to enhance and instill the three core values of the Mizzou Athletic Department: Academic Integrity, Social Responsibility, and Competitive Excellence. Through the 2013-14 year, the student-athletes have achieved at high levels in all three of these areas:
- 10 sports achieved a Team GPA above a 3.0;
- Mizzou’s Academic Progress Rate (APR) finished second highest in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with 19 of 20 teams finishing ahead of the Division I average for their respective sport.
- Since Coach Frank Haith’s arrival, 11 of the 12 seniors representing the Men’s Basketball program have graduated from Missouri.
- The Mizzou Football team leads the SEC, posting the best APR for 2013 and a graduation success rate of 97%.
- The student-athletes spent over 3,000 hours during 2013 serving the Columbia community and surrounding areas.
- In its second year in the SEC, Mizzou Football won the SEC East Division, compiled a 12-2 record, won the 2014 AT&T Cotton Bowl, and ended the season ranked 5th nationally.
Since the first summit, Mizzou has generated over $9 million dollars for the TSF. Compared to the $40+ million raised by the University of Florida, Mizzou has a ways to go. However, more than 200 supporters attended to advance the movement and increase the fund to be used for scholarships, stadium and facility improvements, and other needs. As Robert Griggs pointed out, Missouri must increase the number of small, consistent donors to build momentum and encouraged everyone present to bring a friend next year.
The evening served as a pep rally for the upcoming SEC basketball tournament and the football season. “Voice of the Tigers” John Kelly emceed the event, followed by guest speakers Athletic Director Mike Alden, Associate Head Coach/Quarterbacks Andy Hill, Mizzou sportscaster Howard Richards, Special Assistant to the Director of Athletics and basketball color analyst Gary Link, and several members of the Advancement team. The crowd received an update on the stadium renovations and met some of the athletic alumni from years past.
The spirit and passion among the audience and the Mizzou representatives appeared evident. After a tremendous 2013 football season, everyone still has a sense of pride, and the future looks bright.
