Mizzou Soccer Team Announces ‘Intimidate Your Opponent, Not Your Partner’

Charity Kick-off

Fresh from their back-to-back Big 12 Championship wins, the Missouri women’s soccer
team is taking on a different kind of off-pitch opponent—violence against women.

Columbia, Missouri, 20 February, 2010—The fierce Tigers of MU women’s soccer team

are putting their physical—and emotional—strength to good use by entering into an
initiative with The Shelter, a non-profit emergency shelter providing domestic violence
and sexual assault victim services. The project, ‘Intimidate Your Opponent, Not Your
Partner’ (http://mutigers4girlpower.com) marks the beginning of an indefinite partnership
designed to both empower women who have been abused as well as raise funds for The
Shelter.

The project will kick-off with a charity soccer tournament between the Tigers and a team
comprising of local Columbia businessmen. The event, to be held at the Audrey J.
Walton Track-Soccer Stadium on March 19 at 10 a.m., is open to the public and will be a
chance for fans to see the Tigers in action for a good cause. Food will be provided
courtesy of Shakespeare’s Pizza and G&D Steakhouse while several local bands have
signed on to provide entertainment for the day.

Though the event is all in good fun, the significance and message of the project goes
much deeper, particularly for the team themselves.

“One of our players recently opened up to the team about being the child of a domestic
abuse victim,” says Michelle Collins, the team’s starting forward player. “We’re like a
family and hearing of the anguish and pain she suffered spurred us to do this.”

The girls approached The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and proposed the
partnership, offering up not just their celebrity status but also their time. Working with
the University, the team targeted prominent local businessmen for financial funding and
community support. Those who have already jumped on board, such as Doc & Norm of
the Mo-X Shuttle Service and Casey Corbin, Executive Director of Sustainable Farms &
Communities Inc. are excited about being a part of the project.

“I can’t think of a better group of young women to deliver this stirring message of
empowerment-- of course I couldn’t say no!” says Corbin. “Though naturally they’re
going to crush us on the field.”

This message of empowerment is something frequently incorporated into The Shelter’s

programs (http://www.boonecountysafeshelter.com/) and was the main reason the team chose to
partner with them.

Tracie Lawson, Program Director at The Shelter says, “It’s wonderful for both the
women and the kids here at The Shelter to see the spirit and energy these girls have.
They’ve already volunteered here before and bonded with some of the women so I think
this has become more than just a regular charity fundraiser for them.”

In the long run, the team also plans to volunteer with The Shelter’s Crisis Hotline, Rape
Victim Advocacy and Children’s programs.

For additional information on the project, please contact Ashanya Indralingam or visit
http://mutigers4girlpower.com.

About The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics:

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Missouri aims to develop

the student-athlete as a total person. The goals and objectives contained in the strategic
plan are intended to develop Champions for Life in three critical areas: academic
integrity, social responsibility, and competitive athletic excellence. The University of
Missouri athletics program distinguishes itself by valuing the student-athlete as a learner,
citizen, and competitor.
http://www.mutigers.com/

For more information, contact:

Ashanya Indralingam
Associate Director of Media Relations
The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics
University of Missouri
555-555-5555
aicn6@mail.missouri.edu