Missouri couple embraces divided household ahead of Mizzou-Kansas Border War

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Mizzou Tigers and Kansas Jayhawks are facing off for their second Border War showdown since the two teams renewed their series. For one Missouri couple, the rivalry isn't just played out on the field; it's a divide inside their own home.

Phil and Shelly McGuire live in St. Louis and have been married since 1999, and while they are united when it comes to love and marriage, they're divided when it comes to choosing loyalty to their favorite team.

Phil cheers for Kansas, where he went to school briefly before switching majors, while Shelley proudly keeps her loyalty to the Mizzou Tigers, where she graduated in 1997.

The long-time border clash has divided the two teams for years, but the couple's shared love of sports helped tighten their bond.

"I think this was kind of one of the fun areas that we enjoyed each other immediately; we both like sports," Shelley said. "I definitely love to go to everything and have a good time, so we definitely fit together when it comes to that."

"I really do think it helped us grow as a couple and grow together," Phil added.

Shelly said the two met through Shelly's friend and Phil's co-worker at the time, who worked at a health club. She says they hit it off immediately, although she hesitated a little when she learned Phil was a Jayhawks fan.

"When he said he went to KU, I was like, 'I don't know if this is going to work,' we jokingly said," she said.

"I think it bothered her dad more that I was a Kansas guy than anyone in my family or me," Phil said. "I know she did have some people she went to college with that weren't very happy with her dating the Jayhawk. I think my friends were just happy I found somebody."

The division has been part of their relationship since they met, but that didn't stop them from giving the spotlight to their favorite team on their wedding day, as their groom's cake featured Truman Tiger and a Jayhawk.

"One of my favorite things that we did when we got married, I was like, 'we got to have something that's MU and KU,'" Shelly said. "It was definitely the most popular thing that was there, and everyone got a kick out of it."

"You embrace each other's teams, and you may not be specifically rooting for them, but it's fun," Phil said.

Game-day traditions are a big part of college football for some fans. But for the McGuires, there isn't much of a traditional routine when the two teams face off.

Instead, they keep the rivalry alive in their home year-round, holding onto Border War merchandise that has become harder to find over the years.

The couple has a divided flag that features the KU Jayhawk mascot and Mizzou mascot that Shelly purchased years ago.

Their home also features a license plate placed on a wall that says "The House Divided" with both teams' logos.

While both teams are represented in their home year-round, that doesn't stop the trash-talk.

"We bring up old players and who they played for ... and so it's kind of small little bashing back and forth through the years," Shelly said.

The two won't be at Friday night's game in Lawrence, Kansas, at David Booth Memorial Stadium, but the pair will be paying attention to the outcome.

"I just hope if my team wins, I make sure ESPN is on," Phil said. "If my team loses, I kind of make sure it's not so that way I won't be reminded. We've never really made any fun bets or friendly bets."

Phil is a teacher in the St. Louis area, and the rivalry doesn't stop at home, as he says he has a classroom full of students who are ready to remind him if his team loses the game.

"I'm more scared of what happens to me at school on Monday," Phil said. "I've had kids sneak into my office over the last few years and just decorate my office with so much Mizzou stuff, and I'm more worried of what my office will look like for me Monday morning."

The Kansas Jayhawks and Mizzou Tigers kick off Friday at 7 p.m. from Lawrence.