MIZ-SEC

The past month has been filled of press news about Mizzou's rumored invitation to join the SEC, Southeastern Conference for athletics. I didn't know how seriously to take it after last year's discussion about joining the Big 10, as Mizzou was in the Big 12. A series of events from Chancellor Brady Deaton stepping down from the Big 12 Board, to the SEC accidentally publishing and then deleting a post that said Mizzou had been accepted, led to a rally this Sunday that we had officially been invited and accepted the invitation to join the SEC.

Students received an email early Sunday morning about the decision and were invited to a spirit rally at the MU Student Center Sunday afternoon.

A screenshot of the Mizzou Athletics webpage with the announcement

After a 4 p.m. meeting, I walked into the Student Center to see this:

Students filling the student center with SEC Commissioner speaking

It took awhile to get started because the commissioner and University of Florida president's flight arrived late, but definitely was a spirited 45 minutes. Students had signs ranging from "Welcome to the SEC Y'all" to "I still hate Kansas!" The amount of students present, the band and the overall spirit reminded me how exciting it is to be a Mizzou student and glad to take part in this change.

I'm excited to join the SEC not only because it's the south and people think we'll dress up more for football games (ha), but because of its overall reputation. The SEC holds itself to a higher standard than the Big 12 and Mizzou's academics are stunning compared to other SEC schools. We will be in the Eastern range of the conference--playing Florida, University of Georgia, University of South Carolina, Kentucky and Vanderbilt. And if Eleni goes there, our schools could play each other next year!

Although Mizzou might not win as many football games as we'd hope to next year, it's a change toward better. Our team will strive to beat the reputable SEC teams, they will strive to reach our caliber academically and University of Missouri's reputation will ultimately grow. 

The new SEC logo with all 12 schools

Officials at the end

M-I-Z....S-E-C!!