The Alumni Student Association Board announced Wednesday its adoption of Stay and Sing, a university tradition that has become less prominent in recent years.

Stay and Sing began in January 2011 as a grassroots movement to encourage MU fans of all types to stay after the game to sing the alma mater, hence the name Stay and Sing, according to [its Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/stayandsing])

Staying to sing used to be a widely known tradition, alumnus Jon Lawrence said.

Lawrence, who graduated in 1998, said the tradition was well-practiced during his time on campus. Lawrence said when he went to MU, students, alumni and fans had been singing “Old Missouri” for more than 100 years. It always gave Lawrence great pride to know that so many people stood together to support MU.

“I was a member of Student Athletic Board during those years,” Lawrence said in an email. “As representatives of the athletic department, we always made it a point to gather the crowd together and sing after games, win or lose. Many times, especially after football games, the players would come to the edge of the stands and join us in song. It was a powerful scene and meaningful experience, whether it took place at our home facilities or at away games.”

But the tradition has faded, freshman Meredith Harrison said.

“It’s not enforced that much as a tradition anymore,” Harrison said in an email. “If the school put more effort into making people stay after and do it, there may be a better turnout.”

AASB intends to do just that by supporting Stay and Sing in their mission, AASB President Rachel Newman said.

“Members of the Mizzou community — students, alumni, fans — can’t help but feel an incredible sense of pride when joining together and singing our alma mater,” Newman said in an email. “Participating in this tradition is a way to show the rest of the world our pride for being University of Missouri Tigers.”

AASB is a group of about 70 students who represent the student body for the Alumni Association and vice versa, according to [its Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/MizzouAASB). The student leaders work to uphold MU traditions such as Tiger Walk, Senior Sendoff and Mizzou ’39.

“AASB’s mission is to safeguard the traditions of our alma mater,” Newman said. “We are the university’s tradition keepers and feel like this tradition will foster a greater sense of pride within the Mizzou community.”