Thread from PM everyone should read

This was a thread posted on Powermizzou named "Let's Help Build This Thing". It's long, but anyone that claims to be a Mizzou fan should read it all the way through. The guy makes some excellent points.

"I read the board last night and was not surprised by the disappointment and emotion of everyone. As fans it is our job to convince ourselves that we are going to win every game. Just like everyone else I felt like we had a puncher's chance in this game. I thought we had a chance if our lines were dominant, if we made some big plays on special teams and if we can get a few turnovers on defense. The problem with my scenario is that it did not include the scenario that if both teams played their best game could Mizzou beat Alabama. The simple answer is no.

We did not get the help from Alabama that we needed, Through the first 2 quarters and 11 minutes Missouri took all Alabama could dish out and were just 8 points down. I thought to myself how proud I am to be a Mizzou alumini and fan as our players never quit and were still in the game. If Alabama just makes one mistake we have a shot to make this real interesting. The fact is Alabama never made that mistake. On that drive Alabama executed their offense without any mistakes and by the beginning of the 4th quarter it was clear that all of things Mizzou needed to happen in order to win were not going to happen.

I tip my cap to Blake Sims and Amari Cooper as they played their arse off last night. I am not a big Nick Saban, Kirby Smart or Lane Kiffin fan but they coached their arse off last night to beat Mizzou. Say what you want about the final score for 3 quarters Alabama had to empty the playbook because of how well our team is coached. Unfortunately Alabama has a different level of athlete than Mizzou and it showed late in the game. We can blame the coaches and bash the players but this is the reality of elite level college football. The most talented team will win if they avoid mistakes.

How does Mizzou win at this level? The answer is simple, recruit at the level of teams like Alabama, Florida State, Oregon and Ohio State. Build the depth by creating an environment when the nations best players want to sit on the bench for 2 years to have a chance to play for their dream school. The reality is Mizzou is not on that level. The only way Mizzou creates that environment is with financial resources and dedication of its students, fans, alumni and boosters. If we want to be Alabama, we need to donate like Alabama alumni and boosters. Those that have the means must donate enough money that we do not have to choose between expanding the south end zone and a new indoor football facility. Facilities, Coaches and money attract recruits. I have a hard time believing that Nick Saban and Gary Pinkel's sales pitch to a prospect like Terry Beckner is much different. The only difference is Saban says look at what we have done and Pinkel says look at where you can help get us to.

If fans, students, alumni and boosters want to be Alabama, fill the stadium for South Dakota State and create an environment where coaches can bring flocks of recruits to every game instead of targeting that 1 big game where they know the stadium will be electric. If Mizzou wants to recruit like Alabama, sell out the stadium for the Spring Game like Alabama. The SEC is built on passion and I have no doubt that everyone on this board is passionate about our fine university but; we need to be out selling the casual fan just as the coaches are recruiting players. Those that are influential in the business community need to find creative ways to include financial benefits to Mizzou athletics as part of the their marketing mix or donations.

This has been another spectacular year and I have been entertained well beyond what I have spent on going to games and traveling to away games. There is no other hobby quite like college football. These players and coaches fought tooth and nail to be in Atlanta last night. I woke up this morning not disappointed but with a new sense of energy as to how can I help the cause? I ask each of you to do the same.

MIZ-ZOU Forever!!!!!!"

Heartbreaking games like this always make me want to do more, not less. Rather than get down about it and claim Mizzou can never be an elite football program, how about we take it into our own hands and change that culture? For instance, Bama has around 23,000 donators, while Mizzou has around 9,000. Whether it's $100 or a thousand, it all adds up and makes a difference. We can all do our part to help, even if it isn't in a monetary way. Show up to games. Be loud. Live and die on every play. Don't be satisfied with an 8 win season and bowl appearance.
A truly dedicated and passionate fanbase would do wonders for this program. We can change the culture around here, we just need to make the effort.

TL;DR: If you want things to change (recruiting, conference championships, national championships, facilities, etc), don't complain about it, do something about it (pull out your checkbooks, go to the damn games, and for the love of god, be loud.)

M-I-Z, and go Tigers