UCM Celebrates Rededication of Terry Noland Football Office Complex

From left, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Matt Howdeshell, Mules Football Head Coach Josh Lamberson, donor and alumnus David Neuenschwander, Coach Terry Noland, Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Foundation Executive Director Courtney Goddard and President Roger Best celebrate the rededication of the Terry Noland Football Office Complex at the University of Central Missouri (UCM) with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 7.

 

A few hours before the Mules Football home opener on Saturday, Sept. 7, the University of Central Missouri (UCM) celebrated the rededication of the Terry Noland Football Office Complex.

Community members, alumni, donors and UCM officials gathered on the track at Audrey J. Walton Stadium for the rededication ceremony with the UCM Alumni Foundation and UCM Athletics. The renovation project was a collaboration between UCM and private support, with more than 80 donors contributing support for the facility.

UCM first dedicated the facility in October 2012 with alumni and donors celebrating its namesake, Coach Terry Noland, who led the campaign to modernize the complex for the first time. The complete overhaul of the space in 2024 incorporates the modernization of coaches' offices, position meeting rooms and a reception area.

“It creates an impactful first impression for prospective student-athletes and a place to call home for current and future Mules,” said Matt Howdeshell, vice president for Intercollegiate Athletics. “These much-needed upgrades provide the resources and space to empower our student-athletes to perform at their best both on and off the field.”

A 2004 inductee in the Central Missouri Athletic Hall of Fame, Noland coached the Mules from 1983 to 1996, amassing 78 wins, seven winning seasons and four MIAA championships. Noland was named MIAA Coach of the Year in 1986 when his Mules won their first outright league crown since 1926. Sixteen Mules earned All-American honors under his tutelage, 65 earned first-team All-MIAA honors, three players were named Academic All-Americans and 11 of his players went on to play professionally. His 1986 team and many former players have been inducted into the UCM Athletic Hall of Fame.

“It is only fitting that UCM name the facility for Coach Noland in honor of his service coaching, teaching and mentoring Mules Football student-athletes and his continued support of the program and institution,” Howdeshell said.

UCM President Roger Best said the foundation for Mules Football today started with the “winning attitude” Noland instilled as the head coach.

“If we look at the modern version of Mules Football, it started during the Noland era. And if we look at the support we received today, that started in the Noland era,” Best said. “So thank you, coach, for all that you did for us and that you continue to do for us.”

After receiving an honorary key to the office from donor and alumnus David Neuenschwander, Coach Noland shared a few words with those gathered. 

Noland thanked everyone involved in renovating the office complex that bears his name. He offered appreciation to the past and current UCM administration, his former players and fellow coaches, the community and his family.

“I'm just so proud and thankful that this recognition has been provided and that the Noland name will go on established with Central Missouri because my proudest coaching moment was to be here with the coaches, with the young men, with the many boosters that we have,” Noland said.

The ceremony also included the presentation of plaques to several donors in recognition of their contributions and the new names of seven spaces within the complex:

• The Neuenschwander Family Lobby, in honor of David Neuenschwander, a linebacker from 1994-97.

• The MuleBall Brothers for Life Lounge, in honor of Joe Grubb, linebacker from 1989-92.

• The Glaunert Family Defensive Coordinator/Linebacker Office, in honor of Paul Glaunert, linebacker from 1986-90.

• The Scott and Christine Taylor Office, in honor of Scott and Christine Taylor, kicker from 1985-88.

• The Hulet Family Defensive Backs Office, in honor of Mark Hulet, defensive back from 1984-87 and coach from 1988-95.

• The Rick Moyer Family Offense and Running Backs Meeting Room, in honor of Rick Moyer, running back from 1998-2001.

• The Scott and Kerri Loveland Quarterbacks Coach Office, in honor of Scott and Kerri Loveland, quarterback from 1981-84.

A group of Mules Football alumni, known as the MuleBall Brothers for Life, played a significant role in driving those efforts over the last few years. Courtney Goddard, vice president for Advancement and Alumni Foundation Executive Director, said the group works to positively impact the football program while engaging with and inspiring past, current and future players.

 

Mules Football Head Coach Josh Lamberson said he’s had many conversations with Noland’s former players about their experiences on and off the field. They were grateful for the “tough love, compassion, guidance and leadership” displayed by Noland, someone they continue to call “coach” even today.

 

“That's why today is such an important day,” Lamberson said. “The Noland Football Office Complex is somewhere our young men can go. They can learn the game of football, create bonds, experiences, trust and life well beyond what happens in between those stripes.”

 

Neuenschwander echoed those sentiments, saying he learned many life lessons from his time with the Mules and Noland. He said Noland influenced thousands of young men and that he was fortunate to be one of them. 

Neuenschwander also recalled the three promises Noland made when recruiting him to UCM. Neuenschwander was promised an opportunity with the Mules, but never a spot, and Noland would do everything in his power to help him graduate.

“And the last, which is much more important than the first two, was that David will be equipped to handle life after college, a better man when he leaves than when he arrived,” Neuenschwander said. “And coach, I’ve accomplished some really cool things in life. I'm a family man with some beautiful daughters. And I point back to the lessons and the promises that you made and delivered.”

 

 

Coach Terry Noland addresses the crowd gathered on the track at Audrey J. Walton Stadium for the rededication of the Terry Noland Football Office Complex, which can be seen behind him.