Mizzou-KU rivalry brings Tiger fans out across Columbia despite road game
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Although the Mizzou-Kansas rivalry game is being played in Lawrence on Friday night, Tiger fans are making game day a big event in Columbia.
Some fans are feeling especially confident about the Tigers’ chances, telling ABC 17 News they expect Mizzou to win 50-0.
At My House Sports Bar in downtown Columbia, the excitement started well before kickoff. When the doors opened at 3 p.m., a line of fans wrapped around the corner, with some waiting more than an hour to get inside.
MU senior Elizabeth Salmon was among the hundreds who lined up early.
“Hello, school spirit,” Salmon said. “We need a table. We’re going to ride all day. I got to work at 9, too, so I am going to see this game and I’m going to go.”
The support for Mizzou is not limited to Columbia.
According to the Mizzou Alumni Association, more than a dozen watch parties are planned across the country Friday night, including in New York City, Chicago and Nashville.
In Mid-Missouri, Tiger fans gathered at Trail Stop Brewery, where the Boone County Mizzou Alumni Association held its local watch party. Wally Pfeffer, treasurer for the Boone County Mizzou Alumni Association, said the group had 80 people registered for its first watch party of the season.
“We’re going to have a good crowd,” Pfeffer said.
For local bars, football season can mean a boost in business.
Nicci Vehovc, who has worked at Booches for several years, said the atmosphere during football season is noticeably different when she is working behind the scenes.
“Being in the business and working it is a little different compared to being just an observer and somebody that’s a customer,” Vehovc said.
She pointed to last year’s Mizzou-Kansas game, when the Tigers hosted the Jayhawks in Columbia. Vehovc said Booches was packed.
“It’s really lively and fun and exciting, and I know how strongly people feel about Kansas versus Mizzou,” she said. “So it’s electric, I guess you could say.”
Vehovc said it was also exciting to see fans from both sides come together.
“It was really cool to see everyone come out. Whether you’re from Kansas or you’re from Mizzou, they all got along,” she said.
Booches was also busy ahead of Mizzou’s season opener last week. Vehovc said the biggest crowds often arrive in the hours leading up to kickoff.
“It starts slow most of the time with the 7 p.m. game, but then you really don’t even realize, working it, how quickly people just start to pile in,” she said. “The next thing you know, the building is full and it is loud.”
The Mizzou Alumni Association said it hopes to host more watch parties throughout the football season. Fans can find information about upcoming Mizzou Alumni Association events here.
Check back for updates.
