Is expansion of MU's Faurot Field a possibility—or necessity?

It's been a relatively docile week news-wise, so let's end it with a light dusting of what's been going on around the Big 12:

• Another member of the national media has predicted Missouri to endure a rough, transitional season in 2009. The Sporting News' Matt Hayes believes the Tigers, with a new quarterback and inexperienced defense replacing a host of departed stars, will win four less games this season, making them a team headed for one of the country's steepest dropoffs.

Hayes is just one of many national writers/prognosticators who doubt head coach Gary Pinkel's ability to effectively stockpile talent within his program.  Famed college football expert Phil Steele recently picked Missouri to finish fifth in the Big 12 North, ahead of only Iowa State, while Sports Illustrated's Cory McCartney ripped apart the Tiger offense in the wake of its shaky spring game performance.

• If you're worried about Sheldon Richardson's two-year stay in California at College of the Sequoias, more specifically the reopening of his recruiting sweepstakes, Dave Matter says not to be. He also counts down the Big 12's best offensive and defensive coordinators. Finally, do yourself a favor and check out Matter's investigative piece on the sickle cell trait and how the genetic disorder is forcing collegiate trainers to undertake new preventive measures to avoid its lethal effects.
• As Oklahoma State nears completion on its renovation of Boone Pickens Stadium—which will bring capacity to 60,000 and include several thousand club seats and luxury suites, among several other improvements—I began to wonder whether Missouri is close to contemplating a similar facelift to Faurot Field.

Made possible by an unprecedented $165 million donation on behalf of oil tycoon—and Oklahoma State alum—Boone Pickens, the construction, when completed, will make the Cowboys' home one of the most technologically advanced and fan-friendly venues in collegiate sports.

And though tradition and antiquity predominantly determine how charming a college stadium is, Faurot Field, which has maintained virtually the same general structure since 1965, when the final pieces of the southeast corner were completed, certainly has room for some upgrading.

Save for several recent changes to the playing surface, from the hideous Omni Turf to natural grass to the current Field Turf, Faurot Field has seldom been altered, keeping intact its two-tiered, open-ended horseshoe design, complete with the 90-foot-wide stone "M" that guards the north endzone.

And if you asked any proud Mizzou alum, he or she would tell that the "M," which was built by students some 80 years ago, is one of the university's distinguishing features, not just one that defines the Tigers' gridiron home.

Nostalgia aside, the opportunity for MU athletic department officials to evaluate a possible expansion of Faurot exists. Granted, the timing for such a large project is certainly not now, especially considering the university's current multi-million-dollar partnership with Daktronics, which is presently constructing new scoreboards for a number of MU facilities, including a new video board at the aforementioned north end of Faurot Field.

But my point is this: With a fair number of schools, including Oklahoma State and fellow Big 12 foe Iowa State, shelling out cash to add either modern amenities or more drastic improvements to their respective venues, doesn't it make sense for Mizzou to at least take a look at the benefits of enclosing Faurot Field—even if it means (gasp!) replacing the sacred "M" with bleachers?

With the football program slowly inching its way toward elite status, the Missouri fan base is growing in response, making it all more likely crowds in excess of 60,000 will funnel through the gates for every home game.

Before the seating capacity was lowered to 68,349 in 1995, Faurot held a crowd of more than 70,000 11 times in its history, with the last time being in October 6, 2007. That night, Missouri wiped out Nebraska, 41-6, before a crowd of 70,049, a large portion of which braved the uncomfortable experience of camping out on the grass hill that occupies the north end of the field.

When the crowd at Faurot is that large, the patrons that occupy the hill and its neighboring concourse form a makeshift enclosure to the stadium, but it's still interesting to ponder how many MU fans have forgone buying a general admission ticket for a game because they weren't willing to occupy a seat that wasn't made of aluminum and steel.

Enclosing the field would not only add several thousands seats, pushing Faurot's capacity to one of the highest in the country, but it would surely accommodate those members of a growing fan base who may consider season-ticket options as the Missouri program gains recognition as a national force.

Each of the stadium's 10 all-time largest attendances occurred between the years of 1979 and 1984, hardly a period of Tiger dominance. Is it not feasible to think that in this particular era of Missouri football, a time when unprecedented success and shrewd recruiting have led to a renewed optimism in the program, a significant increase in revenue and season ticket sales could be had as a result of adding a few thousand seats at Faurot Field?

By no means I am insinuating that the trademark stone "M" needs to give way to expansion, as room exists to prominently display it near Faurot's main entrance, but if Missouri aspires to lay claim to one of the Big 12's more intimidating venues — and simply keep pace in the ongoing game of "keeping up with the Joneses — enclosing Faurot Field, or increasing its capacity in some form, may one day become a necessity.