COLUMBIA, Mo. • Die-hard fan Dave Merz sent an email in May to leaders at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
“With enrollment down and the closing of several dorms, could some of the closed dorms be used for housing parents during home football games?” he asked.
A month later, Mizzou announced plans to do just that.
The dorm-turned-hotel planning was likely months into the making by the time Merz sent his email, but the loyal Tigers fan put his money where his mouth is.
With their arms full of bags, Merz and his wife, Holly, checked into Discovery Hall hours before kickoff Saturday — their third game this season where they opted for a dorm room over a hotel to sleep in after a day of tailgating and football.