Mizzou football facility project receives $1.4 million boost

Missouri is nearly at its fundraising goal for a new football facility in the south end zone at Memorial Stadium.

The Tigers’ athletic department announced an anonymous $1.4 million gift Wednesday, which brings the fundraising total for the project to roughly $70 million.

Previous estimates by Mizzou officials put the price tag for renovations — including a new training facility and weight room, cafeteria, locker room, coaches’ offices and a recruiting area plus some suites and premium seating — at $75 million.

“I continue to be so impressed with our supporters,” Tigers athletics director Jim Sterk said in a statement announcing the donation. “I haven’t been here very long yet, but that was one of the first things that stood out to me is just how much passion Mizzou fans have for their Tigers. It’s been fun to see how much excitement there is for our vision with this facility, and we are so grateful for the support.”

Missouri announced a $10 million donation from the Kansas City Sports Trust in early September, an additional seven-figure gift in late September and, in late October, an $8 million anonymous donation toward the project.

That pushes the tote board for major donations specifically earmarked for the football facility over $20 million in the last three months alone.

“We have an opportunity to build a facility that makes a lasting impact for this program, and in order to do that, we need buy-in from our donors and fans, and they are doing exactly that,” first-year Mizzou football coach Barry Odom said in a statement from the athletic department. “It’s gratifying to see the excitement and passion they have for this, knowing the difference they can help make for Mizzou Football.”

Sterk presented a general outline of the project to the University of Missouri System Board of Curators in early October and expects to submit a project for final approval in early 2017.

This story was originally published November 30, 2016 at 3:29 PM with the headline "Mizzou football facility project receives $1.4 million boost."