On the recordOctober 14, 2011
This weekend marks the 100th anniversary of the University of Missouri's homecoming celebration. In 1911, University of Missouri Athletics Director Chester Brewer invited Missouri alumni to come home to campus for the football game against the University of Kansas. The game was capped by a parade and spirit rally to celebrate the ``coming home'' of so many alumni. Thus started the tradition of ``homecoming'' at the University of Missouri, an event that has served as a model for homecoming celebrations across the country. Each year, thousands of students and alumni come home to celebrate one of the university's greatest traditions. Homecoming at Mizzou has gone beyond school pride and football. Through this event, Mizzou has broken the world record for the largest peacetime blood drive on a college campus, and has organized other large community service events. Moreover, the University of Missouri's homecoming celebration was recently named the best homecoming in the Nation. My wife, Debra, and I and three generations of my family are fortunate to be alumni of the University of Missouri. As a proud alum, I would like to congratulate the University of Missouri and generations of alumni on this historic milestone of 100 years of coming home to Mizzou. ____________________
