Investment: What Separates Mizzou Football From the Rest

“Wanting to be someone isn’t enough, dreaming about it isn’t enough, thinking about it isn’t enough. You’ve got to study for it, work for it, fight for it with all your heart and soul because nobody is going to hand it to you.” –Colin Powell

When you become part of the Mizzou Football Family, you commit to a lifestyle, not a part-time job. The Mizzou Football mentality depends on investment in leadership, time, relationship, and growth. When you take the time to invest in something worthwhile, the outcome is extraordinary.

In the wise words of Colin Powell, “Wanting to be someone isn’t enough, dreaming about it isn’t enough, thinking about it isn’t enough. You’ve got to study for it, work for it, fight for it with all your heart and soul because nobody is going to hand it to you.” These words are the heart and soul of the Mizzou Football Family, as well. In order to achieve success and unity, total investment is key.

You must invest to be a member of the Mizzou Football Family. Whether it’s athletically, mentally, or emotionally, every player is expected to put the maximum time and effort into the program.

To show investment in the program, Mizzou Football requires four key things from its players:

  1. Great effort
  2. Finish drills
  3. Run from drill to drill
  4. Run on and off the field

Just like any well-run business or organization, leaders are held to a high standard, just like players. Mizzou Football requires coaches to invest in every area of a player’s life, not just on the field. Relationships begin with trust, so in order for a coach to form a bond with his players, he must invest in the whole person—not just his athletic skills. Coaches in the Mizzou Football Family are required to take a pro-active approach to all areas of their player’s life—academic, athletic and social well being.

In order to show investment in the program, Mizzou Football coaches are expected to uphold the following principles:

  1. Always have the player’s safety in mind.
  2. Be fair. Treat players how they deserve to be treated.
  3. Have the players at your position, play to/beyond their ability level on a consistent basis.
  4. Develop the player’s fundamentals.
  5. Develop and implement a plan to put players in a position to be successful.

If you want to win, you must be committed to being a great player, and you must be accountable to your teammates. All great organizations are marked by desire to achieve, and leaders must recognize that desire. When coaches invest in athletes, athletes invest in the program.

The investment mentality that drives Mizzou Football sets the program apart. It is not your decision as a player or coach to go hard—that’s the only way Mizzou Football operates.