| NEW ORLEANS - "Memphis has moved to New Orleans and taken over," said Wilbur Hensley, one of the Memphians partying in The Big Easy at the Tigers' first bowl game in 32 years. |
| Hensley was at a bash Tuesday night at Silky O'Sullivan's, Memphian Silky Sullivan's club on Decatur. The University of Memphis Tiger Clubs and Alumni Association sponsored the event, which featured the U of M marching band, the cheerleaders and the Pom Pon squad. |
| Even though he'd recently been in the hospital in Memphis for an irregular heartbeat, Sullivan, wearing purple and gold Mardi Gras beads and a "Memphis" sweat shirt, said his goat, Maynard, told him, "Don't let the Tigers down." |
| Memphians seemed to be every where in New Orleans. People greeted others wearing the familiar blue and gray U of M sweatshirts on the street and in bars and restaurants. U of M students John Hefner, Ernest Davis and David Crawford played the school's fight song on trumpets as they walked down Canal Street about 1 a.m. Tuesday. |
| Former Tigers celebrated at Silky's. "We're all brothers. We'll always be brothers," said Brian Chadwick, a fullback from 1985-88. |
| "This bowl game sparked a need to get together," said Scott Rumley, a linebacker from 1987-90. |
| "Even though I'm not playing in it, I feel like I'm playing in it," said Keith Spann, who played safety in the mid-90s. |
| Coach Tommy West got a standing ovation when he showed up at the Tiger Brunch Tuesday at the House of Blues. The Tiger Clubs and Alumni Association sponsored the event, which offered a Southern breakfast that included grits and biscuits and gravy. |
| Commenting on the support, West said, "You can't bottle this. You can't buy this." |
| Athletic director R. C. Johnson was pleased with the "passion" shown by the Tiger supporters, including donors to the school, students and the players. |
| It's the school's "new spirit," said Dr. Shirley Raines, U of M president. "The University of Memphis is on the move." |
| Bob Frederic, his wife, Gaye, and their sons Grant and Trent from St. Louis attended the brunch. Bob's son, Gene Frederic, 20, plays center for the Tigers. His son looked at Missouri and Iowa, but West "gave him the opportunity to play right away," Bob said. And, he added, "Iowa City in the middle of summer wasn't something he was looking forward to." |
| Tuesday's pep rally in front of the Superdome was a sea of blue. Rockin Doopsie Jr. performed as the crowd whooped it up. Kevin Grothe, U of M assistant athletic director, estimated more than 10,000 people attended to cheer on the school. "This is how hungry Memphis is for a winner," said Johnny Robinson. |
| Clark Collins, 17, painted half his face blue and wore the "old school" Memphis State University cap and sweat shirt. "My dad had it. I took it from him," he said. Pace Goodwin, 19, and Brian Akins, 20, painted their upper bodies and their faces blue and shaved their heads except for an "M" on top. |
| Raines, Johnson, former Shelby County Mayor Bill Morris and Tiger basketball coach John Calipari were among those who watched the game in Suite 417 of the Superdome. Morris said he's been plugging the Tigers for 52 seasons. "You think I'm not relishing every moment of this?" he said. Calipari said he "has goose bumps 'cause we're in a bowl game." |
| Chris Heathcock probably summed up the experience the best: "This is the biggest party in 32 years." |
| "How 'bout them Tigers?" and "It's a long time coming" were repeatedly heard after the Tigers won. Fans began converging on watering holes and restaurants in the French Quarter with Silky O'Sullivan's apparently the hot spot. Cheering, including spelling the word "Tigers," and others screaming and yelling could be heard in the streets. |
| Early arrivals at Mr. B's Bistro were ecstatic about the win. "We came here expecting to win and never thought of losing," said Danny Valle. "This was a perfect ending to the season," said Steve Vescovo. "This is the best thing for Memphis football since the construction of the Liberty Bowl," said Doug Edwards. "BCS (Bowl Championship Series) next year, my dear," said Carol Simpson. "Euphoric," said Mimi Uhlmann. |
| As she stood in front of the House of Blues, where an after-party was held, Sherrye Crone said, "It's a great time to be a Tiger." |
| - Michael Donahue: 529-2797 |