The Tiger Letter: Spring 2008

• Season to Remember • New Licensees • Events • Mizzou Means More • Meet the Licensing Assistant • 2008 Football Schedule Spotlight: • Events

Without a doubt, this past football season was not only record breaking but also the beginning of a team in the making. Only losing a few seniors, the Tigers hope to have yet another great football season. The Cotton Bowl in January broke records, proved the Tigers worthy of their rankings all season, and put the Midwest team on sports channels across the nation.

On the retail side of the football season, the University Bookstore, Tiger Spirit, and retail shops across town saw the affect of the Tigers' wins.

"The football season was full of energy," MU Bookstore Apparel Buyer Tiffany Anderson said. "Fans were very excited about the Black Out and Gold Rush game and sales were record breaking for these two specific shirts."

Online sales were on the rise all over the nation, especially during the holiday season.

"Customers sent gifts to friends and family as well as purchased for themselves," Anderson said. "Mizzou merchandise was definitely a number one holiday shopping must have."

Alumni around the country not only contributed to retail and ticket sales but the Mizzou Alumni Association (MAA) saw an increase in membership and attendance to events nationwide.

"Specifically during the weeks right before and after our #1 ranking we were seeing a 50 percent increase in the number of new members," Director of Alumni Relations David Roloff said. "Chapters around the country were having 30 percent more events and those events were attended at times by double the usual attendees. We also noticed an increase in alumni events from areas that had not had alumni activities in the last few years. The national rankings and ample TV coverage for the Tigers really helped chapters host events."

In addition to a winning season and a New Year's Day Bowl Game, the Tigers were also able to defeat their oldest rival Kansas in their first neutral territory game. Alumni events as well as apparel were also a part of the rallies and game at Arrowheard Stadium.

For the 2008 Tiger Football season, both apparel purchases and alumni are expected to be in high numbers. The MAA hopes to continue staying connected with alumni nationally as well as keep the tailgates and rallies packed with spirit.

"Next year the Alumni Association is making plans for an even bigger season – rallies and tailgates before games, chapter events and watch parties around the country and supporting the team and Mizzou in general throughout the season," Roloff said. "One of the Association’s goals is keeping alumni connected to Mizzou and by the response we received in 2007 our alumni want even more next year."

Anderson and other retail buyers are also hoping for bigger and better things in the coming season. Preparation has already begun, even weeks after the Cotton Bowl win.

"We are already preparing for an exciting 2008 season being kicked off by our Spring Tent Sale at the Tiger Team Store April 18th-20th," Anderson said. "We will have lots of wonderful new 2008 product from Nike Team Sports, as well as vendors. If the 2008 season is anything like 2007 we are in for more exciting Missouri football."

Welcome to the University of Missouri! NEW LICENSEES Acushnet Co. Adidas Team Inc. Amigo's Salsa Ash City Worldwide Atomic Chic LLC dba Red 24 R25 and ET TU Baggo Inc. Bel Air Lighting Inc. BMC Custom Eye Black Burcs C.K. Productions Campus One Sportswear Champion Custom Products Churchill Container Corp. Classic Balloon Corporation CSA DLI Inc. Donegal Bay Donruss Playoff LP (Alternative Sports)

Three-fourths of Missouri veterinarians earn their veterinary degrees at MU.

Thirty-three percent of all student-athletes made the the dean's list in 2006-07.

MU is home to the world's most powerful university research reactor and is the largest U.S. producer of radioisotopes used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Q&A with Traci Blackwell

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I was born in Aurora, Illinois but have lived most of my life in Centralia, Missouri.

Q: What’s your education background?
A: I graduated from Centralia High School.

Q: How did you get this job?
A: I originally started in another position in our Administrative Service's office but then joined Linda in Licensing. Before working in Administrative Services, I worked in the MU Accounting Office.

Q: What did you do before?
A: I took care of Room Reservations for the MU Campus for student groups, departments, and classes for evenings and weekends. I was also heavily involved in working in the United Way Campaign Office for the MU Campus.

Q: How long have you worked with Linda?
A: 20 years.

Q: What’s your favorite part about the job?
A: Working with Linda is great and Licensing is an exciting job that really never becomes monotonous.

Q: What do you do on weekends?
A: Our family has a boat and we love to go to Mark Twain Lake when the weather is nice. We also have a pool so swimming is at the top of my list also. We live in the country and have a large yard that I enjoy working in during the spring and summer.

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