Missouri Athletics receives historic gift from anonymous donor
Missouri Athletics on Monday announced a history gift to support renovations to Memorial Stadium and the Tiger Fund program. It’s the largest gift received by Mizzou Athletics in the history of the university.
The gift is $62 million, and it’s from an anonymous donor who designated $50 million to modernize Memorial Stadium.
Athletics Director Desireé Reed-Francois announced the gift, and explained that the remaining $12 million will go toward the charitable program through the Tiger Scholarship Fund that benefits Mizzou student-athletes.
The $62 million commitment is more than double Mizzou Athletics’ prior record gift received in 2012.
Reed-Francois and President Mun Choi each commented on the donation.
“This extraordinary commitment is a major step toward fulfilling our vision to transform Memorial Stadium and create the best college football game-day atmosphere in the country,” Reed-Francois said in a release. “Our pivotal stadium project is not possible without our donor, whose passion for Mizzou’s success, coupled with humility, faith and generosity, are unparalleled. Mizzou Football fans displayed their passion last season with five consecutive home sellouts, and our donor’s momentous contribution will not only enhance those magical experiences at Memorial Stadium but will greatly impact our student-athletes across every sport as they pursue their dreams as Tigers. We would like to thank our Board of Curators and President Choi for their support, and we are also grateful for Mizzou Senior Associate Director of Athletics Greg Hulen and Vice Chancellor Jackie Lewis for their efforts on this generous commitment.”
“Mizzou Athletics has generated tremendous momentum under the leadership of Desireé Reed-Francois, and this historic and transformational investment reflects the university’s vision for the modern model of intercollegiate athletics,” said University of Missouri President Mun Choi said. “The improvements to Memorial Stadium will have a generational impact on our university, our community and our state while providing an unmatched fan experience and best-in-class stadium environment for Coach Eliah Drinkwitz’s program. With this gift, the Tiger Fund program will also be able to further provide valuable resources for Mizzou’s 550 student-athletes so they can excel academically, athletically and holistically as champions on and off the field of competition.”