Missouri Tigers History

Mascot

The nickname "Tigers," given to Mizzou's athletic teams, traces its origin to the Civil War period. At that time, plundering guerilla bands habitually raided small towns, and Columbia people constantly feared an attack. Such organizations as temporary "home guards" and vigilance companies banded together to fight off any possible forays.

The town's preparedness discouraged any guerilla activity and the protecting organization began to disband in 1854. However, it was rumored that a guerilla band, led by the notorious Bill Anderson, intended to sack the town. Quickly organized was an armed guard of Columbia citizens, who built a blockhouse and fortified the old courthouse in the center of town. This company was called "The Missouri Tigers."

The marauders never came. The reputation of the intrepid "Tigers" presumably traveled abroad, and Anderson's gang detoured around Columbia.

Soon after Missouri's first football team was organized in 1890, the athletic committee adopted the nickname "Tiger" in official recognition of those Civil War defenders. Their spirit is now embodied in the MU mascot - "Truman the Tiger." The Tiger was named Truman in 1984 because of a contest held by the cheerleaders. Previously MU had two mascots, a male and a female, but neither had an identity.

This contest was held on campus, over a period of a few weeks, to develop a name for the Tiger mascot. The winner, a student, submitted the name Truman (after Missouri-bred President of the United States Harry S. Truman). The name stuck and has been popular ever since.

In 1986, the Tiger mascot design caricature, image, material, and color was in need of an upgrade. Jack Lengyel, Dick Tamburo, and Joe Castiglione sought a way to improve the overall personality of our mascot, Truman.

A design was submitted to the manufacturer for production. (Some financial help was provided by local restuaranteur Dick Walls.) The new mascot made its first appearance at the Missouri-Utah State football game in 1986.

The Truman character has continued to reach new levels of popularity. Truman makes over 35 appearances a month including all MU football and basketball games, other athletic events, hospitals, civic functions, schools, businesses, etc.

The Hearnes Center

In its 28-year history as the home of the Tigers, the Hearnes Center has been the site of some of Missouri's greatest basketball moments. Since the Tigers posted a 21-6 record and received a bid to the NIT in Hearnes' opening year, Missouri has won eight conference championships. The homecourt advantage has been a big part of that success. The Tigers' record in the arena is 354-63, including a 191-20 mark versus non-conference teams. The complex, officially named the Warren E. Hearnes Multipurpose Building, was dedicated by Governor Hearnes during summer commencement ceremonies, Aug. 4, 1972. Coach Norm Stewart's Tigers followed with an 87-75 triumph over Ohio University on Nov. 25, 1972, in the first game staged in the impressive facility.

The $11 million structure's primary feature is a spacious arena, with a seating capacity of 13,300 for basketball. The single-game attendance record was broken twice this past season, as 13,782 fans witnessed MU's clash with Indiana on Dec. 7, 1999, only to see that record broken a month later on Jan. 22, 2000, when 14,098 flipped the turnstiles to see MU hand rival Kansas an 81-59 beating. Three of MU's top-10 alltime crowds at Hearnes came in Quin Snyder's first season at the helm.

For the 1996-97 season, a brand-new Robbins portable hardwood floor replaced a similar model that was installed prior to the 1980-81 season, which, in turn, replaced the building's original Tartan surface. The court was revamped with a black apron and black foul lanes prior to the 1999-2000 season, and was stripped, resurfaced and repainted again prior to the 2000-01 campaign.

The building, which measures 546 by 352 feet and includes more than 324,000 square feet of floor space, also houses other facilities. A 220-yard, eight-lane indoor track occupies the south end of the facility. A regulation-size practice basketball court is located on the building's fourth level, along with wrestling and gymnastics practice gymnasiums. The basketball arena and fieldhouse are separated by a section containing Missouri's intercollegiate athletic offices and the building administration office. There are also offices for the Conference and Short Courses Department of the University's Extension Division and the Law Enforcement Training Institute. Ten meeting rooms seating from 50-225 persons are available for rent to groups holding conventions or meetings. In July of 2000, Hearnes Center operations staff was welcomed into the athletic department family, and for the first time, all Hearnes functions now fall under the athletic department's umbrella.

In 1994, new dressing rooms and a post-game interview room were constructed for both the men's and women's basketball teams, and the working press room was redecorated.

Improvements planned for the 2000-01 season include renovations to the media workroom and interview room, which will improve both the functionality and aesthetics of the space.

Future plans call for either a multi-million dollar renovation to the Hearnes Center, or a brand new facility being built somewhere nearby. A feasibility study to determine to plan of action is to be completed soon. Hearnes Center was designed by the architectural firm of Sverdrup & Parcel and Associates of St. Louis. Constructed on a natural depression, much of the building is below ground level.