_Griffin Schaetzle is a sophomore swimmer at Missouri. He is The Maneater’s athlete columnist._
“Oh yeah, he’s that one swimmer.”
That is what I imagine most people say if another person asks about me. The same is probably the case for most Mizzou athletes who have dedicated their lives to becoming elite competitors in their respective sports.
While receiving recognition for something I’ve worked so hard at is flattering; receiving other recognition makes me feel just as good. Things like being an exceptional student and an outstanding citizen carry more weight, as I will benefit from them for years to come after graduation.
At the end of the day, and especially at the end of our four years of athletic eligibility, we’re more than just athletes.
Part of the reason I chose to come to Mizzou is that the athletic department values its students for more than just the sports they play. While the program achieves athletic success, it is committed to building well-rounded people.
To help push its athletes to gain a complete college experience, the Mizzou athletic department put the Tiger Cup competition into place.
The Tiger Cup is awarded to the team who best displays all-around character. It is broken down into six categories in which teams are given points for different accomplishments. At the end of the year, the team with the most points wins the cup.
The six categories include academic achievement, community service participation, student-athlete development involvement, athletic success, supporting Mizzou Athletics and a miscellaneous category. Combined, all of these categories help athletes become well-rounded individuals.
Academic success can be measured in many ways. It is easy to award points to the team with the highest GPA, and that is one way the scoring works. However, the team with the most improved GPA also earns points. The scoring system also factors in points for athletes who receive Southeastern Conference academic and NCAA Academic All-American honors.
Community service is another big part of Mizzou Athletics. The athletic department supplies numerous opportunities to volunteer and serve within the community, and teams receive points for their service.
Athletes are also able to perform any acts of community service they pursue individually. Not only does community service build character, but it also puts into perspective what we represent as Missouri athletes. As athletes who represent the flagship university of the state, it is fulfilling to help out and get to know the citizens in our community. It makes the Tigers logo we wear on game days that much more special.
Mizzou Athletics also supplies us with workshops, committees, seminars and much more to help prepare us for the real world. We get points for taking advantage of these opportunities by attending the events.
Athletic success speaks for itself within the Tiger Cup competition. Points are awarded based on team and individual results throughout the season. Conference and NCAA titles and honors also help gain points for your team. These are all achievements that Mizzou is quite familiar with.
The last major category involves supporting other Mizzou Tigers. Points are given to teams who show up and cheer for other athletic teams. It is a fun way to not only get to know other athletes, but also bring more energy and spirit to different competitions.
The last category is for miscellaneous events the athletic department provides throughout the year. Most of the events are centered around bringing athletes closer. It also includes involvement and participation within groups like NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committees or Honor Society members.
The Tiger Cup is a great competition set in place to encourage Mizzou athletes to build character and gain a complete college experience. The winning team of course gets the cup and bragging rights, but all of us grow as people.
Next time you see or talk about an athlete, know that there is more to them than just their athletic ability. Although athletics is an enormous part of our lives, we are more than just athletes, especially at Mizzou.
