MSSU officials assess damage from Monday night storms
JOPLIN, Mo. — We know that Monday’s tornado damaged dozens of homes and businesses in Joplin – and that impact also extends to Missouri Southern.
“Just the significance of the damage. And, yeah, it’s, it’s pretty impactful when you walk through here,” said Rob Mallory, MSSU Athletic Dir.
Missouri Southern Athletic facilities – with damage ranging from fencing and scoreboards to a set of bleachers blown to the far side of the diamond.
“I think softball probably got the worst of it. Here. It’s piled up here softball complex but then some damage over Warren. Warren Warren Turner Field for baseball,” said Mallory.
Repairs will likely take some time.
But there is urgency for the baseball team.
They’re in the conference tournament, with a chance of hosting a game next Thursday – which means repairs need to happen quickly.
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“I would say the backstop netting is the more important piece as far as getting the facility game-ready. We wouldn’t be able to play if we didn’t have that in place. We could figure out how to get pretty even if it’s a rudimentary scoreboard to to achieve what we need there,” said Mallory.
There’s more.
The football field has minor damage, with a panel blown off the video board and some equipment scattered around the field.
The fix could take some time.
“Work toward more permanent solutions and work with insurance adjusters and things like that, to figure out permanent solutions,” said Mallory.
There was also some minor roof damage to both the Leggett and Platt Athletic Facility and Fine Arts Complex, as well as branches and trees downed across campus.
