Oct. 21, 2008
Throughout every football season, we take time to evaluate our efforts in providing the best possible customer service and overall game day environment for our fans. We are excited about the attendance through the first four home games and our average home attendance of 62,606 per game is our highest attendance average over the past 25 years. When you look at the support of our fans, it has truly been an exciting home season to this point.
One major improvement area has been that of our parking services in our donor lots. We've been able to improve shuttle services, restroom facilities, parking attendants, trash receptacles, recycling efforts and the overall cleanliness of all of our lots. We have also been able to pave Lot G (this is the lot directly south of Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium), regrade Lot C and provide an overall positive experience in each of our lots, even with our increased crowds. Those with passes in our donor lots have been able to find a parking space at whatever time they choose to arrive due to the new policies implemented this year. We hope our donors are pleased with the service and convenience received in return for the $100 season-long parking pass charge implemented this season ($16.66 per game). And for your information, the donor lots will open at 8 a.m. for the Homecoming Game vs. Colorado.
Our largest area that is a general public lot is called Reactor Lot. This general public lot is located south of Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium and has approximately 900 parking spots. We charge $15/car to park in that lot, with monies going to the Athletic Department and Parking Services (Mizzou). The Athletic Department is responsible for the costs associated with staffing and maintaining the lots on game days. We work as a "team" with Parking Services, MU Police Department and contracted parking services to bring a great "game day experience" to all of our fans.
Two years ago, Mizzou greatly improved Reactor Lot by grading, chip sealing, providing bumpers and lighting to provide our University with a nice commuter parking lot for our students and a nice parking area for our fans on the day of the game.
However recently, this specific lot has been an area of concern on game days. While we promote a great "family" atmosphere at our games, it has come to our attention that some folks have identified Reactor Lot as an area to have large parties and promote irresponsible behavior before, during and after our games. Let me be clear....this is a minority number of the folks parking in this area, BUT that small group of people have had a negative impact on those great fans who come to enjoy a day of Tiger Football. That type of inappropriate behavior also has a negative impact on our brand. As a result, Reactor Field/Lot will not open until 2:30pm in advance of the 5:30pm kickoff time vs. Colorado to hopefully limit and negate the behavior that is not reflective of what we all want the Mizzou Game Day experience to be.
This type of situation is not isolated to Mizzou. We have heard countless stories from schools like: Florida, Georgia, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Penn State, etc. where people take a great college football atmosphere and utilize that to act irresponsibly. Most come to these areas at our campus, and others, never intending to go to the game... rather, they use the great climate of college football to gather in that environment and exhibit inappropriate behavior (excessive drinking, unsportsmanlike behavior, intimidating acts, etc). It's unfortunate that there are people that would take advantage of the positive efforts by so many to hurt what we are all trying to accomplish.
Our Pride Points at Mizzou are:
- Wear Gold
- Arrive Early/Stay Late
- Respect Traditions
- Be Responsible
- Respect The Game
I would suggest that the vast majority of our fans practice each and every one of these Pride Points in an outstanding manner. There are those who choose to ignore being responsible and respecting the game, and that's unfortunate.
You will see us limit access to our public lots, reinforce appropriate behavior and remove those who choose to act irresponsibly. We must continue to do everything we can to model a positive, true fan experience. For our great fans that are doing the right things, these efforts may have a negative impact on you in the short run. We are truly sorry that the actions of so few require us to limit the opportunities of so many. As we build our program at the national level, our fans will continue to improve in total as well. We Are Mizzou... let's keep doing things that make us proud! Go Tigers!
