In the wake of the death of Assistant Football Coach Derek Moore, the campus and football team are finding ways to move on.

One way is to help support Moore’s 6-year-old son, Elijah Moore, by establishing a trust fund to help offset the cost of his future college expenses.

During halftime of the Nov. 9 home football game against Lindenwood-Belleville, Interim University President Alan Marble encouraged the crowd to give donations to cheerleaders in the crowd.

The appearance of several anonymous handwritten notes taped to walls on the bottom floor of Leggett and Platt Athletic Center also encourage healing.

The notes are Bible verses with #MOSOstrong at the bottom, all written with markers on printer paper.

“The team really appreciates the support of the faculty, students and MOSO community and as a team, seeing the signs, it helps us overcome the pain little by little and look toward what the future has in store for the football team,” said freshman football redshirt Ricky Nichols.

According to JoAnn Graffam, vice president of University advancement, over $3,000 has been donated to the fund already. Initially the Foundation at Missouri Southern was managing the fund; however, Commerce Bank will now maintain the fund.

Additionally, Graffam explained that Lionbacker and attorney Chris Dumm is assisting in the technical issues of creating and running the fund.

 The money raised for the fund will travel with him to whatever institution he decides to attend in the future. Graffam also said that if he decides to attend Southern, he would have a University scholarship to cover his time here.

Individuals wishing to donate to the Elijah Moore Fund online can visit the Missouri Southern Foundation giving page at (www.mssu,edu/giving/online-giving-form.php) Administrators ask that visitors indicate they are giving to Elijah Moore Fund in the gift restriction box.

Those wishing to give in person may stop by the Commerce Bank, 211 Main Street, in Joplin. For more information about the fund, please contact Commerce Bank at (417) 626-4000.

“We would definitely encourage people if they would like to [donate],” said Cori Reid, coordinator of athletics facilities and operations. “His future is education.”