Caravan coming to Cape Girardeau in April

~ Anderson expected to be among the coaches coming through town.

The last time the University of Missouri athletic department brought a caravan to Southeast Missouri, Quin Snyder was early in his seven-year coaching stint and trying to win over Mizzou fans.

The caravan will come back this spring before Mike Anderson begins his second season as Snyder's successor with the men's basketball program.

"Speaking with some of the alumni in that area, I don't think we've been down there since Quin Snyder's first or second year," Mizzou spokesman Matt Lyons said. "The staff sits down each year and likes to rotate and try to hit different parts of the state each year. There are a few sites they like to hit annually, a couple that produce themselves."

The Mizzou Caravan will stop at the Drury Lodge on the evening of April 30 with a reception sponsored by the athletic department and the MU Alumni Association. A $10 fee benefiting the Tiger Scholarship Fund is requested per person. The event includes dinner and door prizes.

Reservations are due by April 18, according to the University of Missouri Web site.

In addition to Anderson, other coaches expected to attend are wrestling coach Brian Smith, whose team finished third in the NCAA tournament this year; and women's basketball coach Cindy Stein, whose team played in the WNIT this year. Mike Kelly, the radio broadcaster for Mizzou athletics, will be the master of ceremonies.

Lyons said that some student-athletes may attend and that information will be available about Missouri football tickets.

The stop in Cape Girardeau will be the third and final stop for the spring tour that also will hit Hannibal and Mendon.

For ticket information, contact Lyons at (573) 882-0704.