MU Tigers make winning plays within the community
by Abby Grimmett, posted May 14, 2008
The MU Tigers are doing more than just scoring touchdowns and making baskets. True Tiger athletes learn the lesson of giving back to the community. All around Columbia, MU athletes can be seen contributing to various organizations and communities, to give back to the community that gives so much support to them.
Chad Moller, assistant athletic director, Media Relations, said that the relationship between the various teams and the community is very beneficial to all athletes involved.
“It could be some of the best educational training they get, quite frankly,” Moller said. “That's just my opinion, of course, but I do think that the exposure they get to the community and the various issues and causes that they get involved with, can provide a huge impact for our student-athletes, on a number of levels.”
Moller said that every athlete is required to volunteer within the community.
“Every one of our athletic teams has involvement in our community through various organizations, too many to list,” said Moller. “[Athletes] know coming in that they'll be involved, and we just feel that it is something that needs to be automatic. Hopefully, the exposure they get to the various organizations will plant the seed for them continuing that involvement once they move on from Mizzou.”
One of the biggest associations between athletes and the community is the ongoing Tigers Score Against Hunger campaign, which benefits the Central Missouri Food Bank. The campaign has raised nearly $3.5 million in donations to the Food Bank since the partnership began in 1995, according to Central Missouri Food Bank Executive Director Peggy Kirkpatrick. The Score for Hunger campaign runs during the season, and all proceeds are used to provide free food to people in need through emergency food pantries, low-income children's programs, shelters for the abused and homeless and soup kitchens.
This spring, the MU football players could be seen at events where the campaign was being featured. On April 29, Tiger fans gathered at the Black and Gold game and donated just under 14,000 pounds of food for the organization, while the MU Department of Athletics added a $2,500 donation.
On March 4, Hemingway’s Wine and Bistro held its grand opening in conjunction with a fundraiser for the Central Missouri Food Bank. MU Football Coach Gary Pinkel, along with several players including Chase Daniel, Jeremy Macklin, and Lorenzo Williams, were there to help raise money for the Food Bank. The restaurant helped raise more than $3,700 for the Central Missouri Food Bank.
“This is something very near and dear to my heart,” Pinkel said. “People of the community can come and help and give money to this wonderful organization.”
Van Allen, co-owner of Hemingway’s Wine and Bistro, felt the event was a success and hopes to make it an annual fundraising event.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for need and those who aren’t as fortunate as I am,” said Allen. “I always do what I can do to put forth and contribute.”
Allen is very impressed with the Tigers continued involvement with the community and organizations like the Central Missouri Food Bank.
“It’s great that they’re always staying involved in the community and it remains inspirational to a lot of people here,” he said.
Along with the smaller fundraisers throughout the community, the Food Bank has been able to acquire more than 68 million pounds of food, which has in turn provided nearly 52 million meals for hungry Missourians, according to MU athletics website.
Coach Pinkel tries to keep his players as involved as possible. The team is also heavily involved in the Boys Club.
“Our team has always tried to give back to the community in one way or another,” Pinkel said. “We can always solve these problems right here, right now.”
The partnership between the community and Tiger athletes is positive, not only for the beneficiaries, but especially the athletes themselves.
“I think it's an uplifting experience, but also a humbling one — in a good way,” Moeller said. “It helps [the athletes] remember that they have opportunities that most people would dream about.”
