The Missouri Tigers are preparing to leave the Big 12 for the SEC in the coming season and as you might expect, there are plenty of changes that will go along with a big conference switch of this type. Mizzou Director of Athletics Mike Alden released a letter on Monday addressing some of the changes that Tigers fans can expect in 2012 and beyond.
Here are just a few of the key bullet points.
- Ticket Prices - You will see an increase in ticket prices in football across the board, with the exception of our faculty/staff and students. Those increased prices will place Mizzou in the "middle of the pack" in the SEC. Season ticket renewals will be coming out as soon as we finalize our schedule.
- Football Surface at Faurot Field - We will be replacing the existing artificial surface with a new artificial surface this summer (cost is approximately $1.5M). You'll see that the Tiger logo at mid field will be slightly larger, the SEC logos will be on the field, and the diamonds in the endzones will say "MIZZOU" vs. Missouri.
- Touchdown Terrace Seating - Our premium seating in the south end zone will have new seating for the 2012 season. This area will also have a few more seats ... and we anticipate it selling out for 2012.
- Tiger Scholarship Fund (Priority Seating) - You will see increases in minimum donations required for each of our categories at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field. Those increases will be consistent across the board. We will also expand our sections of donor seating.
- 4-14-12 - This relates to our NIKE Graphic Identity Group work. For over 18 months we have been working with NIKE on re-branding our uniforms, unifying our gold, updating the fonts of our lettering, etc. On April 14, 2012, during the annual Black and Gold Spring Football Game, we will formally roll out the new look for the Tigers beginning Fall 2012. There will be changes and the look will focus much more on our logo than the "block M".
- Band Seating - Working with Brad Snow, the Director of Marching Mizzou, our band will move from the south end zone to the southeast corner of the student section. This will allow the sound from the band and their performances in the stands to be heard better, will allow more convenience for them going on/off the field for pregame/halftime and will increase public seating in the south end zone as well as create additional seats in the student section.
- Visiting Team Ticket Allotment - We are increasing our visiting team allotment from 3,800 (approx.) to 6,000 (approx.) for 2012. We understand that SEC teams travel well, and we want to make sure we are being consistent with other schools in the SEC.
- No Pass Outs - In the past, our fans have been able to enter the stadium for the game, exit during the game and re-enter the game. That will not be possible in 2012 and beyond. There will be no "pass-outs" allowed beginning 2012. Once our fans enter the game, they will need to stay in the stadium throughout the contest. If they exit, they will not be allowed to re-enter.
- Grandfathering - Many years ago, folks that had been season ticket holders for a number of years were not required to be members of the Tiger Scholarship Fund. We have honored that for a long time, although the number of fans who sit in priority sections that are not members of the TSF is very, very small. However, going forward we will be phasing out the grandfathering practice. For those fans who have held their seats in priority sections for 29+ years, they will not be required to donate at the minimum TSF levels in their respective sections in 2012. In 2013, those same folks will be required to contribute at a minimum of 50% of the required level. In 2014, they will be required to contribute at 100% of the minimum. All of our fans that have been season ticket holders fewer than 29 years will be required to donate at the minimum levels of those areas. Again, this impacts a very small percentage of our fans, and we wanted to recognize the long-time loyalty for many. We also want to make sure that everyone is seeing consistency throughout the stadium.
New surface! Larger field logo! Louder band! No pass outs!
I'm sure there's plenty in here that will rankle Mizzou fans, but at least we'll all have several months of grumbling about it before having to deal with the actuality of the situation.
For all news and information regarding the MIssouri Tigers, please visit Rock M Nation. For all updates regarding SEC football, head on over to Team Speed Kills.