New Football Turf, Jerseys Set to Debut Next Season

According to Dave Matter of the Columbia Daily Tribune, the Mizzou football program will have a pair of new additions when they play their first games as a member of the SEC.

"MU will indeed have a new artificial playing surface on Faurot Field next season. Pinkel has already been working with administrators to look at some different products available. Also, MU will have all new Nike uniforms for 2012, he said. Fans could get a sneak peek of the new digs in April, he said."

While this might not seem like major news, Tiger fans can’t help but immediately tie these new additions to the team’s move to the SEC and the resulting efforts to improve the program as a whole. Zoulogy writer Chelsea Fricker already acknowledged that the Tigers will have a steep price to pay for leaving the Big 12, so it’s obvious that Athletic Director Mike Alden will not want to completely overhaul and upgrade all of the facilities right away.

However, it has been made clear that the program wants to make some small adjustments that will improve its aesthetics for those in the SEC who will be watching games in Columbia for possibly the first time ever. Considering that there are already plans to expand the stadium, it would appear as though Alden and the rest of the athletic department is eager to give the program a fresh look as they begin play in a new conference.

Whether or not the facilities will be upgraded or not remains to be seen- With the money that must be paid by the Tigers in order to leave, it wouldn’t seem as though Alden is that worried about expanding these areas of the football program. In addition, the facilities are already solid, and don’t really need to be updated. Nevertheless, the Tigers will roll into a next year with a new look.