@MIZZOU ASKS YOU

Spirit Squads

@Mizzou readers share their spirit squad memories…

When I was a student at Mizzou (1941-45), only boys (we did not call them "men") were in the marching band. In the summer before I entered as a freshman, I went to the director of the band as I had been drum major of the Carthage, Mo., drum corps and a twirling drum major in the band. I had won the Missouri state championship in twirling. I talked the director into letting me march in front of the MU band … even though I was a girl!

That fall the band went to Lawrence, Kan., on the train for the big MU-KU game on Thanksgiving day. It was cold and it snowed a little. The next year the game was played in Kansas City at the old Municipal Stadium, and our band performed. It was a lot of fun. The band was disbanded in 1943 as most young men had left school for the armed services during WWII. An Air Force Band performed at the home football games, and I was allowed to march and twirl out front.

At age 83, it is great to be reminded of my college days. I wish I could put on my boots, prance on the field and toss my baton in the air. At least I can in my memories.

Thanks for reminding me — I always read Tiger news — and I cheer for our teams even though our four children are Jayhawks. And I keep up with my J-School news.

– Joan Cline Brown, BJ '45

When I was a cheerleader at Mizzou, we played at the Sun Bowl. Not everyone could attend. When we had built a pyramid, I was supposed to be at the top between a bridge. However, all of the other cheerleaders were already in the pyramid. One of the band members came over and helped me get to the top of the pyramid. I wasn't aware that the crowd had witnessed my predicament, and when I made it to the top, they let go of a loud cheer. That was in December 1973.

My brother, Jon Staggers, also went to Mizzou. He played football for the Tigers from 1967-70 under Dan Devine and was captain of the team. He went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers – under Dan Devine again – and the Detroit Lions.

– Sharon Staggers-Moss, BS Ed ’74

My favorite memories of being a Golden Girl include:

• Performing with Marching Mizzou outside of Jesse Hall for our loyal alumni before home football games. It was tradition that we'd then march to the stadium. I'm not sure when we lost this tradition.
• Performing our pre-game show at football games. The Missouri Waltz was my favorite. Glad to see that it hasn't changed much over the years.
• Believe it or not, I enjoyed those hot August days spent on the field (where the Mizzou Arena is now located) with Marching Mizzou learning our charts for halftime shows.
• One particular football halftime show stands out in my memory. It was a show where we changed into tap shoes on the field and tapped on top of boxes. Great idea, but unfortunately we did this show late in the season and it happened to be one of the few times I can remember in the last 20 years where it snowed during the game. I thought I'd never get the feeling back into my toes again. It makes me cold just reminiscing about it.

– Kim Richardson Voss, BS Ed '87

Back in the 1950s, the MU band was invited to the opening of the new Royals Stadium in Kansas City (now called Kauffman Stadium).

It had rained the night before, but it stopped before the game started. We decked out in our finest, looking forward to seeing the new stadium and helping to start off a winning season. We were seated in an unpaved area on wooden folding chairs where our director, Mr. George Wilson, led us in many a rousing number. I don't remember who won the game, but by the time it was over our chairs were mired in the mud, and we were all sitting several inches lower than when we started!

– Joyce Sewell Henry, BS Ed ’57

I will never forget the fateful Saturday football game my freshman year of college at Mizzou in fall 1998. I, in all of my naivete and splendor, gracefully entered the football field with my trumpet, ready to perform for the halftime show, only to realize as the marching spectacular began that I had entered on the WRONG SIDE of the field. A million thoughts ran through my head, including not getting an 'A' in marching band, not being able to march again and being in a lot of trouble. I made several monster steps to my position on the field (as the rest of the band stood in perfect formation), and ended up receiving an 'A' without any major ramifications.

– Sean Murphy, BS BA ’02

I was fortunate to be chosen to represent Mizzou as the “Little Tiger” during my junior and senior years. Back then the costumes were homemade, though I never knew who had made them. My tiger head was made from chicken wire and plaster, which resulted in a very heavy and hot apparatus. It was held on loosely by elastic straps that went around my arms. When I would run across the field in advance of the football team, the head would inevitably bounce and the chicken wire would scratch my face. I often looked as if I had been on the gridiron along with the team! I will not forget our trip to Notre Dame in the fall of 1978. Rumor has it that it was 110 degrees on the field. The tiger costume never seemed more uncomfortable! I had learned from a previous “tail-pulling” experience to always wear clothes underneath the costume, which added to the discomfort. But we did win the game and I remember that the Spirit Squad members all returned to the hotel and jumped in the pool. I did remove the costume first!

During this time period, the Little Tiger's costume included a white apron with "Mizzou Tigers" embroidered on the front bib. In the spring of 1979, Athletic Director Dave Hart called me to his seat during a basketball game. He asked that I remove the white apron as he had received calls that an apron was sending the wrong message. With only two home games left in my Tiger career, I respectfully declined to do so. I just could not allow the Little Tiger to perform without clothes on for those last two games.

Perhaps my fondest memories, however, were the special times we spent at University Hospital visiting with young patients, some of whom were terminally ill. To see their eyes light up at the sight of a Tiger, and to see our football heroes melt in the presence of these children, is a memory that will always remain strongest in my mind. Being the Tiger Mascot changed my life, and I am grateful that I have been able to remain involved with Mizzou ever since.

– Debbie Durk Snellen, BS Ed ’79, MA ’80 (Tiger Mascot 1978–79)

Archives | Comments | Home

SUBSCRIPTIONS
Subscribe | Change Your Address | Unsubscribe

Copyright © 2007 — Curators of the University of Missouri
DMCA and other copyright information.
All rights reserved. An equal opportunity/ADA institution.
Published by the Mizzou Alumni Association
Questions? Comments? E-mail comments@mizzoualumni.org

Last Update: November 15, 2007