Column:

MU spirit makes football fun

By Erica Zucco

Published Oct. 9, 2009

I've never been graceful or "athletic," per se. I'm not talking I-never-started-on-the-school-softball-team unathletic. I'm talking, when I was in second grade and we'd play basketball, my gym teacher would take me out of the game and have me sit in front of her so no balls hit her in the face.

When I was 7 years old and played T-ball, I was the girl sitting in the outfield making flower bracelets, and when I did go up to bat I usually hit the nearest person, not the ball.

My inability to play sports eventually translated into an absence of interest in sports. I probably attended two football games total when I was in high school and that's because I was hosting pep rallies beforehand. Don't ask why I had school spirit if I couldn't stand sports. I don't get it either.

But when I came to MU something changed. I suddenly cared about sports. Well, to an extent. I don't care about playing them, but I do about watching them. I think it was my first MU football game that did it because it's not just about interceptions or passes or whatever. MU football is about everyone wearing gold and the Big Mo drum and people driving around the football helmet and singing that "Oh baby, won't you be my girl" song.

And though I never thought I'd get super into school traditions or singing the alma mater, I have. For a lot of people I'm sure it's all about the game, but for a lot of students I think the traditions we do at every game and the excitement that lights up campus are the best parts.

I remember the first time we visited MU's campus. I'm from Illinois and no one I knew was at MU. We visited on a football weekend, and as we were walking down the street someone yelled "M-I-Z." We were confused and kept walking until we figured it out and yelled the last three letters back.

That's what MU football is about. Yelling at random people wearing black and gold and knowing they'll yell back. It's about connecting with all students regardless of our differences, even if it's only for one day a week. I feel like everyone's friendlier on game days, and it isn't just the tailgating that does it.

I guess there are two things I'm trying to say. One: If you've previously shunned sports and feel you'd never like a game, you're probably wrong. There are only a couple games left, so show up! And engage in all of the football-related activities beforehand and after. Also, stay until the end of the game. It's worth it.

And two: We should spread some of that spirit on the other six days of the week (and throughout the other months of the year). We're always MU students, so we don't stop "bleeding black and gold" when football season is over. Yell “M-I-Z” at random people on the street. And find a way to celebrate MU every day, however you choose to do it.