MU’s comfortable “rock-star bus” has a variety of luxuries.
The Missouri softball team doesn’t perform much music. If it does, it’s not in front of large audiences or at famous venues. But that doesn’t stop the Tigers from touring the country in a bus fit for rock stars.
Missouri has been traveling to its games in a bus its owner advertises as the “Land Yacht.” The bus, which is also used by MU’s gymnastics, volleyball and wrestling teams, is a 45-foot solid black vehicle with tinted windows, decked out with numerous satellite-wired televisions, DVD players and black leather couches. It is so well-appointed on the inside, it is commonly referred to as the “rock-star bus,” a reference to the kind of transportation that touring musicians take from gig to gig.
“It’s really nice. It’s probably the best bus I’ve ever been on,” freshman shortstop Andee Allen said. “There’s really no comparison to any other bus I’ve ever been on.”
The amenities on the bus, which include a refrigerator, a complete glassware set and 12 bunk beds, have been needed this season. Since starting the season Feb. 10, the Tigers (5-6) have played no home games. The closest game to Columbia they’ve played was Wednesday in Wichita, Kan., a 1-0 win over Wichita State. Because of their travels, which have taken the team (by bus) to Atlanta and Columbus, Ga., the Tigers have spent much of the past month on the road.
“It definitely does help having a bus like this,” sophomore pitcher Jen Bruck said during a telephone interview from the bus as the team drove to Wichita. “The couches help us keep our muscles from cramping up.”
While the couches help keep the Tigers’ muscles flexible, it’s the movies that keep their spirits loose. Allen said that the team has recently watched “Troy,” “The Goonies,”and “National Treasure,” among others.
“We usually watch movies that have recently come out,” Allen said while acknowledging that “The Goonies” is a title that came out in 1985, two years before she was born. “Of course we’ve watched “The Sandlot.” It’s a classic for baseball or softball players.”
With the length of some of the trips exceeding 10 hours, there is time for more than just watching movies. With all of the time his team spends traveling, coach Ty Singleton hopes they spend the time constructively.
“We recruit athletes that are disciplined, athletes that do well in school,” Singleton said. “They find time to study on road trips.”
Bruck, majoring in hotel and restaurant management, stressed that she learned last season that just keeping up with classes wasn’t enough.
“Last year we didn’t do quite as much traveling, but I still didn’t realize how important it was being ahead,” Bruck said. “You’ve got to stay on top of your classes and get notes in advance.”
That has been especially important this week. On Wednesday, the team was in transit to Wichita and couldn’t get to its classes. On Friday, the team will be in Springfield for the Coaches Against Cancer Tournament, far away from the same classes they missed Wednesday. But after this weekend, the Tigers will not have to worry about being hours away from the General Classroom Building or Conservation Hall for a while. Starting Tuesday against Truman State, MU will have a 12-day, 11-game home stand, a welcome respite from the road.
“It’s easy to get sick of going on a bus and traveling to play,” Bruck said. “It will be nice to play at home.”