Guest Column:

A win for both Cornhuskers and Tigers

By Bethany Welcher, sophomore

Published Oct. 16, 2009

Thursday's game against Nebraska had an upsetting outcome for Mizzou fans, but while most were sulking, I was celebrating a victory for Mizzou.

Last year my brother and I took a road trip to Nebraska to watch us demolish them 52-17 for our first win at their stadium in 30 years. As huge masses of golden shirts walked away from the Nebraska stadium, my brother and I discussed how loyal their fans were. We were so impressed that most of their fans stayed until the very end, even though they were losing so badly the entire time.

People told us Nebraska fans were the best fans in college football, and now we were beginning to see why. As we walked to our car we joined with the others in shouting MIZ-ZOU. Some Nebraska fans came, shook our hands and said, "Good game, I hope you guys enjoyed Nebraska." From that moment on, my brother and I decided we wanted to be those kind of fans. The kind of fans who love their team win or lose, the kind of fans who have good sportsmanship by cheering for their team, rather than degrading the other team. So we set out on a mission to be better fans. We even stayed until the end of the MU vs. KU game to sing our school song. It was below freezing and snowing, and we had lost, but we were still proud to be Tigers.

Thursday's game was difficult to sit through, even when we were winning; we were all soaked and ready to be dry again. I was surprised so many fans stayed until the end even in the cold rain. However, I was sorely disappointed when my brother and I got ready to sing our school song and we realized we were two of only six students remaining. Nonetheless, we linked arms, swayed back and forth and sang our school song with the band. We then clapped for the other team. As we headed back, I saw my brother shake hands with some Nebraska fans and tell them congratulations.

I followed up by shaking their hands and saying, "I hope you guys enjoyed Missouri." I was determined to treat them with the respect with which they treated us. I heard some confused Nebraska students trying to find their way back to their hotel, so I gave them directions.

As I walked back to my dorm I saw an older Nebraska fan on a cell phone. I walked past him and overheard him say, "Yeah, they have great fans here." I looked back; wondering if I had heard him correctly, then heard him specify, "Yeah, the Missouri fans are great." I turned to him with a smile and said, "Thank you." He probably thought I was crazy, and maybe I am a little crazy, but in that moment I was so proud to be a Tiger. That moment was a victory for Mizzou. I walked the rest of the way back to my dorm with my head held high and a smile on my face.

My hope is that someday we will all be as dedicated to our school as the Nebraska fans are to theirs. Last night I realized we are one step closer. Losing to Nebraska was upsetting, but in the end, it is just one small loss and it pales in comparison to the victory we achieved. So hold your head high, and be proud to be a Missouri Tiger.