As University of Missouri students gather at Faurot Field, the crowd roars, black and gold colors fly and anticipation builds before kickoff. Current students gather to make lifelong memories that are woven in the fabric of the college experience. While alumni return to the field to relive their collegiate memories. 

Now, nearly a century old, Faurot Field is deeply rooted in MU’s history, and will continue to be a place to make memories for decades to come. 

Faurot Field has been a monument of hard work and dedication from the day construction began in 1925. The stadium is rooted deep in remembrance, as it was dedicated to the 112 MU graduates and students who died in World War I. 

Don Faurot gave the Tigers eight decades of his life, playing football, basketball and baseball for MU between 1922 and 1924, before returning as head football coach in 1935. During his 19 seasons as coach, Faurot’s team went 101-79-10, won three league championships and went to the Orange, Sugar and Gator Bowl games. In 1953, Faurot became the fifth person inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. 

In 1972, the field was named Faurot Field after the former Tigers coach and athletic director. When the field was converted from Omniturf back to natural grass in the summer of 1995, 92 year old Faurot laid the final square of sod, leaving a lasting mark on the field that would forever symbolize his legacy. Faurot passed away a few short months later, during Homecoming week. 

Not long after construction began, a well-known tradition in MU’s history was born. In 1927, 600 first-year students moved 300 tons of rock leftover from the stadium’s construction to form the 90-foot-wide, 95-foot-long rock “M” in the north end zone of Faurot Field. Nearly a century later, first-year students are still involved in the tradition, painting the stones in white at the beginning of every school year. 

The traditions rooted deep in Faurot Field will remain constant through the evolving landscape of the stadium. On Sept. 12, the MU Board of Curators unanimously approved the $250 million Memorial Stadium Improvements Project. 

The project includes enclosing the north end of the stadium with a new multilevel north concourse that will add a variety of new premium seating options. Additional features include enhanced LED field lighting, upgrades to restrooms and concessions and much to the delight of many MU fans, WiFi improvements. 

The goal of the renovations is to enhance the Missouri game day experience for fans with modern intervention, while maintaining the stadium’s tradition rich elements. The renovations are scheduled for completion in 2026, coinciding with the stadium’s 100th anniversary. 

“Of utmost importance, the improvements will enable our student body, alumni and fans to enjoy an unparalleled exciting game-day experience while viewing the best football in the country,” Board Chair Robert Blitz said.  

Faurot Field stands as a symbol of community and tradition at MU. It has shaped the identity of Missouri football and fostered connections between students, alumni and fans alike. The field will remain a cherished venue while embracing modern innovations, so it remains a pillar where the MU community can come together and form connections and memories. 

“This project speaks to the lasting legacy we are building for student-athletes, fans and supporters across Missouri and beyond,” said Christopher Ave, MU Director of News and Information. “The project will ensure that Memorial Stadium will remain a cornerstone of our community for decades to come.” 

Edited by Molly Levine | mlevine@themaneater.com

Copyedited by Claire Bauer and Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com

Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com