History and Tradition

The traditional block “M,” formed from stone boulders by the freshman class in 1927, guards the stadium’s north endzone and gives Memorial Stadium a distinctive landmark. This landmark represents the University of Missouri, which is a flagship, land-grant institution providing more than 300 degree programs and one of only 71 universities across the U.S. and Canada to be a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities.  ROCK M does not just mean football.  It signifies a place where discovery, innovation and hard work combine to solve the world’s grand challenges.

ROCK M is also part of multiple University of Missouri traditions including one in which members of the freshman class paint the stadium’s ROCK M logo and the senior football players select a rock from the logo after their final game at Faurot Field.

Today, ROCK M is more than the painted rocks in the stadium.  The term is synonymous with Mizzou and its world class educational services and college, graduate and post-graduate courses, as well as Mizzou’s top-tier athletic events and programs.

Unique ROCK M branded merchandise can be found at retailers carrying licensed Mizzou products!

If interested in licensing the ROCK M trademark, please reach out to licensing@missouri.edu.