Inductees

Back in 1957, at the start of the fall semester at the University of Missouri, the student newspaper published a brief in which the athletic department sought help for football games.

Claude Menefee still remembers it.

“A couple of us went down to Sparky Stalcup’s office,” Menefee said of Mizzou’s then-Athletic Director (MSHOF 1979). “They were looking for somebody to run the chains, and he gave us a shot.”

That so-called shot turned into decades thanks to a group of alums from across the state, and their dedication and longevity are why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame proudly inducted the Mizzou Football Chain Crew with the Class of 2021.

The current game-day crew includes 10 workers for each home game as they work the sidelines.

Notably, they have consisted of the sons, grandsons and other relatives of those of earlier eras. Even better, they all work as unpaid volunteers on Saturdays.

Menefee, a Fulton High School graduate, was on the Chain Crew for 30 years with Bob Ferree, an original 1957 member who passed away in 1985. Ferree’s son, Rob, has been aboard since then.

Blue Springs’ Rich Montgomery was a member for 50 years before hanging up his gameday bib in 2018. His sons, Jeff (MSHOF Elite 11 2019) and Mark, have been on the crew since the 1980s and 1990s.

In addition to the names already mentioned, other workers over the years include: Dale Shepherd; Mike and Ryan Alagna; Bill Barnard; Mike Boothe; Don and Brad Clements; Ernie Conner; Mike Happ; Adam and Clayton Hoover; Brandon Jackley; Tim Keeble; Dave Langford; Jim Kramer; Jim Manion; Mike McLain; Ken Quest, and Tony Spicci.

The Chain Crew’s roles consist of the East and West Sidelines, the Down Marker, the Chains, The Clip, Down & Distance, Yards to Gain Flag, Auxiliary Down Marker, Auxiliary Yard to Gain Flag and the Roving Penalty Scribe.

Most fans are likely familiar with the chains and down marker, but NCAA Division I football has become much more sophisticated over the years.

The purpose of the Clip is to ensure that the original line of scrimmage is not lost due to the movement or relocation of the chains and as an aid when a first down measurement is required.

Down & Distance holds a clipboard and records down, distance and the yard line of every play on the field. Officials like to review this when a play is being reviewed via instant replay or at times after a penalty has been called.

The Auxiliary Yard to Gain is the one marker that is 10 yards from the line of scrimmage and acts as a yard to gain opposite the chains.

The Yard to Gain Flag helps spot and move the target on the ground for the yard to gain.

The Roving Penalty Scribe records all penalties for the Southeastern Conference Officiating Crew, noting which official threw the flag, which team committed the penalty, the player’s number, the quarter and time on the clock, down and distance and if the team refused or accepted the penalty. Officials, the SEC and both team receive a copy after the game for review and teaching/coaching purposes.

The general public probably remembers the crew from the “Fifth Down” game in 1990 when, unbeknownst to the officiating crew (and many others), eventual national champion Colorado ran a fifth play – scoring the winning touchdown with no time left — after not converting a touchdown on the four prior plays.

But that one miss doesn’t tell the Chain Crew’s overall story fairly. Its members have worked in adverse conditions, acted professionally (meaning they cannot cheer) and in 2020 collaborated with the SEC pandemic-related protocols.

The Chain Crew also has influenced the SEC.

“Some of what we did, like keeping a record of down and ball placement was so helpful to them it became a part of what all SEC chain crews had to do,” Don Clements said. “We have heard many times over we were the best crew in the SEC and that is a reflection of Rich and Jeff Montgomery’s dedication and organization. They have truly taken chain crews to the next level.”

They’ve had other memories.

Shepherd, a member since 1973, remembers a Mizzou-Kansas game in Kansas City when he told someone he hadn’t been knocked down in 30 years.

“You can guess what happened,” he said of being blindsided by a KU player. “That hurt!”

Said Mike Alagna, “One of my favorite memories was when MU beat Nebraska, who was ranked No. 10 in 2003. The fans rushed the field, tore down the goalposts.”

Overall, when fans wonder which team is going to show up on Saturday, you can count on the Mizzou Football Chain Crew.