As the afternoon began, I got ready to spend time tailgating prior to the game.  Properly dressed in black and gold, and sporting a Truman face tattoo, I headed over with friends to eat and celebrate outside the stadium. It was great to spend the afternoon talking to and having fun with so many Mizzou Tigers in anticipation for the homecoming game. 

 

 

 

 

.

 

 

 

 

 

After navigating through hundreds of tailgates on my way into Memorial Stadium, my friends and I took our seats near Marching Mizzou and the Tiger’s Lair spirit section to watch the football game against the University of Florida. While the outcome of the game was disappointing, I enjoyed the other aspects of the event.

 

In addition to the purple and orange sunset, I appreciated the presentation of the three alumni who served as the parade Grand Marshals, the recognition of female athletes proudly wearing athletic letter jackets and the memorial slideshow for the late Aaron O’Neal that was presented before his family.  He was a Mizzou football player who passed away in 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Later on at halftime, the stadium buzzed with spirit when the Homecoming Royalty walked onto the field, and during the naming of the Homecoming King and Queen, Payton Head and Allison Fitts. At the end of my homecoming weekend, my friends and I stood in the stands, chanted the fight song in the final quarter of the game and then sang the Alma Mater after we stayed late. With my first Mizzou Homecoming behind me, I feel that though I may be a newer member of the Mizzou family, I will forever be part of it.