Mike Kelly talks with Mizzou Athletics SID Eric Mueller before “Tiger Talk” at Bud’s BBQ in Columbia, Mo., on Oct. 29, 2024. | Matthew Gustafson/Rock M Nation
What athletic director Laird Veatch and coaches Dawn Sullivan and Brian Smith had to say on this week’s edition of “Tiger Talk”
With Mizzou Football on a bye week, Mizzou athletic director Laird Veatch, volleyball head coach Dawn Sullivan and wrestling head coach Brian Smith joined Mike Kelly on “Tiger Talk.” Here’s what they had to say:
Laird Veatch | Athletics Director
Commenting on the beginning of his tenure in charge of the athletics department, he said, “Either I’m still in the honeymoon phase or things are pretty good.”
Mike Kelly and Veatch discussed their relationships with “Mr. Mizzou” John Kadlec, former Tigers player, coach, color commentator and administrator, who passed away 10 years ago today.
“John Kadlec was one of those people that I think everybody that really knew him. just loved him, and he made them feel like he loved them more than anybody else.”
Veatch said he learned a lot about fundraising from Kadlec.
Later on, he also said he learned about sales from his father, who sold life insurance.
“I saw the value of what it means to be a salesperson, to generate that kind of support for a family.”
Mentioned the Memorial Stadium north end zone renovation is moving from design and development to construction. Mizzou will have an official ground breaking ceremony at the Arkansas game on November 30.
On the future north end zone: “It’s going to be such a signature look and building for us. When you drive by the stadium and you stop and take pictures, it’s going to be meaningful on a lot of levels.”
After Kelly brought up that the remaining home football games have sold out, Veatch mentioned a member of the athletics department told him the last time Mizzou sold out a whole season was 1979.
On the Bama game: “We had a little bump this last Saturday, and you run into games like that, but I can tell you the program is really in good hands and headed in the right direction.”
On Dawn Sullivan: “It’s been really impressive for me to see how she coaches and how the team continues to improve.”
Said that teams which continue to improve throughout the year are testaments to great coaching.
On Mizzou Soccer and coach Stefanie Golan: “When you have a program that goes into a dip, it’s really difficult to get out of that, and you can tell that she’s doing the right things to get us there.”
On Bill Snyder, his head coach at Kansas State: “He was an old school, hard-nosed, worker of all workers.”
Kelly shared a memory of seeing Snyder in a suit and tie at a Kansas St. basketball game scribbling down notes on a legal pad.
On Mike Alden: “He expected a lot of us, but he was also incredibly good about including young administrators.”
He credited Alden’s leadership of his group of administrators (Alden’s Army) for many of them moving on to become athletic directors.
He said Fred Smith, former FedEx CEO, helped pitch Memphis in discussions about joining the Big 12.
Brian Smith | Wrestling Head Coach
Smith credited culture for the program’s consistency. Says recruiting has changed in that the process truly starts at the beginning of a high schooler’s junior year instead of at the end.
He said 1/3 of his team is currently in grad school, citing Noah Surtin who wants to become a doctor and Keegan O’Toole who is going for an MBA.
Kelly asked Smith to explain Tiger Style for those who are not familiar, and he went through the four pillars: Belief, Compete, One Mores and Expect To Win.
Smith said he’s got a book, titled “Tiger Style” that is going to be published. He’s not supposed to give a precise date for its release, but it should be out sometime in mid-November.
Described that he would finish working and then spend a few hours on the book each night during the summer.
Said he likes the team’s mixture of youth and experience.
Dawn Sullivan | Volleyball Head Coach
Credited returning home to the Hearnes Center for the team’s current six match winning streak.
On coming to Mizzou: “I just really felt the energy again, and I was like, ‘This is it, this is where I need to be.”
She also mentioned her experience facing Mizzou in the Hearnes Center as a volleyball player at K-State.
On the matchup this Friday with Texas: “Our team set some goals early on in the season, and we’re within reach.”
Here are the goals I believe she’s referring to, based on preseason comments:
– host the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament
– make the Sweet Sixteen
On this offseason: “We’ve brought in some really key pieces that allowed us to have success in that space.”
On Mizzou’s (2023 SEC) libero (of the Year) Maya Sands: “Any ball that is every touched, she will be going for.”
She said Marina Crownover, who won SEC Setter of the Week for the Tigers, does a great job of learning during each match.
When asked about players who have been models of consistency for the team, she pointed to Jordan Iliff and Mychael Vernon.
When asked about the core of her program’s culture, Sullivan brought up her LFG motto: love, family, grit (she also said it included a little bit of what “LFG” is otherwise known for).
On the program’s pitch and appeal to recruits: “It’s about the people, it’s always about the people.”
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