A Study in Missouri Education

Carole Minkin, my daughter who went to Missouri University, and after a stint as a Naval officer, made California her home. She recently came back to the area to take part in a reunion of her high school class. We decided to go to Columbia (MO) to see how the University has grown since we both went there. 

My oldest brother was a Tiger back when I was born, and when he saw me as a baby, bestowed my nickname on me, "Boots," which has stayed with me for more than 86 years. He had the opportunity to help place the Big M rocks on the slope of Memorial Stadium and later stayed active in support of the Missouri Tigers Athletic Department until his death. At that time, the stadium was placed in a ravine with the top rows at ground level as it was when I worked in the training room 68 years ago. In the stadium I did taping and rescue work when a player was in distress. I remember that I had another duty which was to keep the stray dogs off the field. 

We were the guest of a nephew, Dr. Gerald Orth and his wife, Sarah, and he was able to entertain us with a visit to the University Club for lunch and a drive through of all the fascinating improvements since my daughter, Carole, and of course myself last visited Columbia. Gerry is a retired neurosurgeon who practiced in Columbia. Carole was a 1970 graduate. 

I had to notice that along I-70 we saw no growth, but a weakened state in the economy as agriculture has changed and towns have withered. But Columbia showed the value of the education growth as new activity seemed everywhere on the campus. 

The highlight of the campus visit came when we had our picture taken at the base of a statue of Don Faurot, who was coaching still when I was there. It was great to see listed among the benefactors to the athletic effort the names of my brother, Elmer Weber and his wife, Mary, who, when she heard his name would be among the benefactors decided to put some of her money in the till so she could be recognized along with him.

Many construction cranes seem to be busy on a new hospital and other buildings tied to the University so it seems Columbia has good times ahead. 

Carole pointed out to us her dormitory where she suffered through a winter and spring after breaking a leg on a ski slope in Colorado in her first year there.  Some of our talk centered on remembering the Big Six and then the Big Eight and the the Big 12, and we are wondering what the future will bring as MU moves to a new conference.