University of Central Missouri

Our next stop, and 11^th State on the tour, was Warrenburg, for our visit to the University of Central Missouri. After checking out the campus, we did a quick interview with a local TV station about the debate and our tour, and then headed back to the hotel. That evening the President of the University hosted a dinner for us along with some of the University administration in his home. It was a great welcome to UCM, with excellent food and company.

Saturday was an exciting day of competition for UCM, not only because of our debate against the 'Talking Mules' (the debate society) that evening, but the day also saw one of the UCM's biggest Football matches in recent years against Northwestern Missouri, and was a cup match for the end of the season. That stadium was full of faithful Mules fans, as well as an actual Mule, with very intense support. It was a very closely fought match. With literally seconds to go the score was 16-14 to UCM but, in what was probably the most tense sporting moment I've ever seen, Northwest kicked a field goal as the clock turned to zero, giving them them the match and the next spot in the state league. The crowd stood in shocked silence, whilst the opposite side of the stadium errupted in a roar of University pride. It was a pretty dramatic game with an incredibly dramatic final moment.

That evening saw an even more exciting sporting (kind of..) moment in the British vs. Talking Mules debate. We did the extremists on campus topic again, and it was another lively debate. We were lucky enough to be honoured as 'Honorary Talking Mules' after the debate. We then headed to Applebees, a true American experience (we've seen them everywhere we've been!) and had fun hanging out with the team. UCM was hosting a tournament the weekend we were there, and Sunday was mostly spent at the tournament, and our time in Missouri ended in truly American fashion, with a great Mexican meal followed by hanging out with the team watching football.