The state of college athletics is that of revival, and sure enough, there have been college athletic revivals across the state. Mizzou’s coaches came through town recently on a caravan. Missouri is recruiting Missouri. And not just for athletes. After a cooped-up 2020, 2021 has reopened opportunities for the Mizzou athletics department, which looks at St. Louis (and Kansas City) as a black-and-gold mine for fundraising and raising awareness.
It’s a strong strategy, because the Tigers need to pounce — as the pandemic peters out, alumni yearns to reengage. There is a hunger, throughout society, to simply get involved in things, to simply bask in the maskless-ness.