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ST. LOUIS – The University of Missouri Board of Curators has passed a resolution for Mizzou Athletics to initiate renovations to Memorial Stadium, including the redevelopment of the football stadium’s North Concourse along with other facility enhancements and new fan amenities.
The resolution passed during Thursday’s executive session of the UM Board of Curators meeting at the University of Missouri-St. Louis authorizes the university to issue a request for qualification (RFQ) to select an architectural and engineering firm to serve as consultant for the project.
University of Missouri President Mun Choi designated an architect selection committee, chaired by MU Director of Athletics Desireé Reed-Francois, to recommend an architectural firm to design the project and meet budgetary and timeline requirements. Upon President Choi’s approval and agreed-upon financial terms, it is anticipated that the Athletics department will present the firm for board approval no later than January 10, 2024. It is expected MU will report back to the board on or before its meeting on April 18, 2024, to present pre-design programming and planning for Memorial Stadium improvements, including plans for project scope, budget and fundraising.
“As the Board of Curators continues to evaluate facility projects across the Mizzou Sports Park, this Memorial Stadium Project is an opportunity to capitalize on the momentum Mizzou Athletics has established and allows the university to strengthen one of our signature facilities,” UM Board of Curators Chair Michael Williams said. “We look forward to working alongside campus leadership and Athletics to reshape the North Concourse and develop other needed improvements to Memorial Stadium.”
“We are building a championship culture at Mizzou, and this Memorial Stadium Project is an exciting development that will continue raising the national brand of Mizzou Athletics and demonstrates the university’s investment in the athletics department’s future,” President Choi said. “This unique project has the potential to create new year-round connections with the community for the university to further engage the region, the state and our 362,000 alumni.”
Under head coach Eli Drinkwitz’s leadership, the Tigers are 8-2 this season and ranked No. 9 in the College Football Playoff rankings. On Saturday, Mizzou will host its fifth consecutive sold-out game for the first time since 1980. The Tigers host Florida in Saturday’s 6:30 p.m. home finale on ESPN.
“The 2023 Mizzou Football season has showcased the tremendous game-day atmosphere and incredible fan support we have at Memorial Stadium,” Reed-Francois said. “We appreciate the support and guidance that our Board of Curators and President Choi have provided to ensure that Mizzou Football delivers a first-class experience for our team, our students and our loyal fans. We look forward to developing further programming plans for Memorial Stadium, but rest assured, the historic Rock M behind the north end zone will be preserved in its traditional place on Faurot Field.”
“Thank you to the Board of Curators, President Choi and Desireé Reed-Francois for their continued investment in our football program,” Drinkwitz said. “Memorial Stadium has been packed all season long with five straight sellouts and we look forward to the north end zone development along with other stadium improvements. This is an important step forward for the overall experience for our fans, players and recruits on game day. It’s an exciting time to be part of Mizzou Football.”
Mizzou has begun the process to install a new expanded north videoboard with an upgraded sound system at Memorial Stadium for the 2024 season. The current videoboard has been in place since the 2009 season.
Memorial Stadium was built in 1926 and over the last century has undergone a series of expansions and renovations, most recently the addition of the South End Zone complex in 2019.
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