Football season is back, and the excitement that rushes through campus every Saturday is immense. The traditional love and spirit of football season inspires fans to support our Tigers.
My freshman self was eager to attend football games this year, so I made sure to save up enough money from my summer job to buy the season ticket package. Channeling this same passionate support can benefit other organizations, such as the Missouri Students Association, and increase student involvement.
Controversy from [last year’s football boycott](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2015/11/7/missouri-football-players-plan-boycott-until-wolfe/) still hovers over the team. This may have left a bad taste in the mouths of some former fans or strained the legacy that Mizzou football held a few years ago. However, the protests and courage of last year’s players was necessary in ethical growth, both as a team and a school. And now, with a new head coach and a home-opening victory of 61-21, the Tigers seem to be off to a great start.
In an effort to hype Mizzou student fans, MSA hosted a tailgate last Friday and celebrated Truman the Tiger’s birthday.
MSA is the leader of school improvement and ensuring that all voices are heard. If they were able to take advantage of this shared experience with Mizzou Athletics, MSA would be able to expand the greatest connection they have with all MU students. Promoting the role of student government through rallies is a great opportunity to establish the relationship between the competitive fun of athletics and the supportive nature of MSA.
The average student at MU does not see members of MSA every day. By establishing a presence at games, MSA would be able to connect with fans while the ongoing action continues. Putting a face to the student government is the first step in developing a relationship between students and the people who represent them.
For a lot of us, it’s hard to fit student government into our busy schedules, and maybe for some, it’s just not a priority. But if MSA is able to increase their participation with Mizzou Athletics, then we can all become more familiar with the group that makes so many decisions for MU undergraduates.
The excitement that comes out of football is so much more than just young adult merriment. It is a way for the campus to bond with one another and stay united. By tying itself to Mizzou Athletics, MSA could tap into the school spirit usually reserved for football and tailgates.
