The stadium built to honor the fallen, now defined by a giant rock 'M'
In short: In 1926, Missouri dedicated a massive horseshoe-shaped stadium to 112 alumni lost in World War I. Today, the site is famous for a massive white rock 'M' and a legendary chant that can be heard across the state, born from a single, unexpected victory on the road.
Faurot Field, the playing surface at the University of Missouri's Memorial Stadium, serves as a living monument. The stadium was dedicated on October 2, 1926, to honor 112 students and alumni who died during World War I. The original horseshoe-shaped structure initially seated 25,000 spectators, with early expansion plans projecting capacities as high as 95,000.
One of the venue's most iconic landmarks is the 90-foot-wide by 95-foot-high rock 'M' in the north end zone. Built in 1927 by the freshman class using leftover construction stones, the monument has become a central part of campus life. It is whitewashed annually by incoming freshmen and is a target for rival fans, though it remains a sacred tradition for seniors to take a souvenir rock after their final home game.
The stadium's history is also marked by the evolution of its playing surface and its famous chants. In 1985, Mizzou switched to artificial Omniturf, a move that proved controversial; by 1992, Big Eight Conference coaches claimed the surface was a detriment to the integrity of the game. Following a Rolling Stones concert in 1994 that raised nearly $100,000, the surface was returned to natural grass. This era also saw the birth of the 'MIZ-ZOU' chant in 1976, inspired by a victory over Ohio State and designed to create a seismic response between students and alumni.
The field is named after longtime coach Don Faurot, who was honored when the playing surface received the name in 1972. The stadium remains the third-largest sports facility in Missouri, trailing only The Dome at America's Center and Arrowhead Stadium.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Faurot Field
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