Even in a Time for Giving Thanks, I Still Hate Missouri

Source: Wichita Eagle

Just when I thought that the scene of college sports was steadfast—or at least stood on somewhat stable ground—news broke Tuesday that Maryland and Rutgers are both heading to the Big 10 (or 11, or whatever the hell it is now) Conference, sending a tumultuous shockwave throughout the nation. Suddenly, without any sign of rational thought, everybody stops what they are doing and craps themselves. Message boards explode. A.Ds lose control of their motor skills. Everybody just freaks out. For no reason.

Because only God knows why, we (as in every fan base, Kansas included) try to re-evaluate our position in the midst of all the chaos. And nothing is gained. It is completely unnecessary stress. And it happens every time. It has happened before. It is happening now. And it will happen again.

Now I know, as the adage goes, that the only thing constant in life is change. Things are ever evolving and advancing (whether for the better or at our own detriment). Universities are constantly trying to one-up neighboring universities and better their position against the field in every aspect of its institution. Sure. I am fine with that to a certain point.

I am fine when change is for the betterment of every party involved, that is in this case, whether the situation is more ergonomic, academic, makes more sense from a locus standpoint, etc. for the university(ies), so be it. But when change is done solely out of a hanker for money by white-collared mercenaries with their cute and fuzzy little mascots pinned to their jackets, for the advancement of the football program, not in performance, but fiscally speaking, at the expense of rivalries, tradition, then I am not.

As I watch Missouri lose game after game after game in the Southeastern Conference (?), I can’t help but wonder: what in the hell was going through their minds when they just picked up and left? Was the allure to the SEC academically based? While I’d like to think not, the SEC is a higher ranked conference than the Big 12, according to U.S. News, so we will settle for… maybe. How about whether the situation was more ergonomic or more localized? When Missouri played the Florida Gators earlier this year, they had to travel a distance of 1,007 miles; Missouri’s farthest trip in the Big 12? Lubbock, Texas: 796.3 miles. So, no. If anything, student athletes will be spending more time traveling and less time in the class room. How about Missouri’s illustrious history on the playing field which includes the MVC, Big 6, Big 7, Big 8, and Big 12 conferences? Does it have any ties to any of the universities in the SEC? At all? No. Zilch. Zippo. Nada. In fact, in order to avoid dropping their wrestling program, the team joined the MAC on an individual basis. So Missouri had about as many reasons to join the SEC as they do have teeth: one. The boatload of cash they will make from television contracts.

My impetus for writing this was that this week is supposed to be “Missouri week”. One of my favorite weeks of the year. One of KU fans’ favorite weeks of the year. One of Missouri fans’ favorite weeks of the year.  A week where the records are literally thrown out the window. The winner, regardless of their record, has a successful season. The loser is devastated.

Why do people who happen to be in power today, get to make a decision to discontinue over a century long rivalry, predicated on real, historic tension on and around its border with Kansas. The game was more than just a game. It traced back to a time of actual armed conflict between pro- and anti-slavery residents. It was, if not a celebration, a commemoration of history. A salute to those who had fought for what they believed in. Of those who had died for what they believed in. The game was just a talking point. But families on both sides of the border (good, bad, or indifferent), stopped what they were doing, and came together.

Do not get me wrong, I don’t hate people. I will go as far to say that I don’t hate Missouri people, for that matter. But I do hate “Missouri”, and everything it has come to stand for. It has become an emblem of the pervasive greed in College Sports.

Missouri ditched the Big 12 conference and Kansas, the only roots it has ever known. Why? For money, for prestige, and for more money.

Missouri is the perfect exemplar of the direction of College Athletics. But they aren’t the only one.  

Nebraska picked up and left for the Big 10. Colorado was snatched up by the Pac 12 for a tie to the Denver market. In a completely nonsensical move, Boise State joined the Big East.

And if you remember well enough, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech were all chomping at the bit to join the Pac 12 at the drop of a hat. Which made a lot of sense, since they are Pacific Coast teams…

These money grabbers would have joined the Pak-12 if Pakistan offered enough rupees.

We will more than likely see 4 Super-conferences in our near future. Every game will be televised. Every stadium name will be sold to some corporation. Beer will be sold inside the stadiums. College football will become akin to what the NFL is now.  A money-making business. If it isn’t one already.

Now I’m not saying that I am the only person taken aback by this movement. Vanderbilt refuses to designate an Athletic Director, in fear of this very problem. There are several schools that make it well known that sports take a back seat to education.

And the great Houdini of College Football, Fordham University, with its magnificent disappearing act, gives me hope that someone somewhere echoes my sentiments.

The Fordham Rams, members of the Atlantic 10 and Patriot Leagues, participated in the world’s first televised American football game on September 30^th, 1939, beating Waynesburg College, 34-7. The team played its games on historic Polo Grounds before sellout crowds, and names like Ed Franco, Alex Wojciechowicz, and Vince Lombardi wore the familiar maroon and white. Football and Fordham were interchangeable, and the sport began to take the city (Bronx) and university by storm. This was a bona-fide powerhouse.

But then, with incredible foresight, the University stopped playing football during World War II because they anticipated the power swaying from academics to athletics.

There is nothing I would rather be doing than watching College football on a crisp, autumn Saturday. I think I have made that transparent by now.

Missouri games were my absolute favorite. I loved cranking on the radio and tuning it to Bob Davis and Max Falkenstein, as they dissected the game. Unfortunately, the game was often dissecting Bob, and not the other way around, but what did I care.

I loved hearing players talk about how much the game meant to them and their families. I especialy loved hearing from the seniors.

The Missouri game was always bitter-sweet. It was the culmination of the best 3 months of the year. If we lost the game, I felt completely miserable. But if we won, there is just no way to describe the complete and utter jubilation.

And just like that, a few yahoos had the power to end it. This year feels empty. Brace yourselves: I miss Missouri. A lot. In a very sick, and very, very twisted way. Rock Chalk.