Showdown heads back to the border
Orin Pogue, posted March 1, 2007
The border war heads to neutral ground as the University of Missouri and the University of Kansas have agreed to play their annual “Border Showdown” football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. By playing the game at Arrowhead, each university will receive $1 million, a significant increase in comparison to the usual revenues each makes by hosting the game.
Despite the fact that Arrowhead is less than an hour from the KU campus, it is considered a neutral meeting place for the two teams. Although it may appear a neutral meeting place may be the best setting for a rival football game, some MU students aren’t excited about the move to a neutral location.
“I don’t like seeing the move because it takes away home field advantage,” said Jesse Burkett, an education major. “Playing the game in a neutral site is a publicity stunt. I’d rather see Mizzou win in Lawrence than in Kansas City.”
Other students, however, appreciate the move and look forward to watching the games in Kansas City.
“I think it should be moved to Kansas City and a more neutral territory; it will make the game more fun,” said Sean Burrell, a business major. “I know I’d be more likely to go because of the road trip.”
The money received for the move to Kansas City will be used to fund scholarships. However, some students worry that the loss of the game will hurt the local economy, beyond the MU campus.
“I grew up in Columbia, and the bars are always packed on game day,” said Jake Viers, a history major. “That is a big loss for the business downtown.”
