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April 2004

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04/30/04		Kerekjarto earns regional qualifying time in the 1500m at Cardinal Invitational -- Nemeth runs season best time in steeplechase (GoTigersGo.com)
		PALO ALTO, Calif.-Memphis sophomore distance runner Istvan Kerekjarto ran a 3:44.22 in the 1500m at the Cardinal Invitational to win the race and earn an NCAA Regional qualifying time in the event. Kerekjarto and teammate Mate Nemeth competed at the meet Friday hosted by Stanford University at Cobb Track & Angell Field. Nemeth ran an 8:45.88 in the 3000m Steeplechase to place seventh against a field that consisted of amatuers and professionals. His time was a personal season best that ranks best in C-USA, third in the Mid-East Region and fifth in the nation as of May 1. Kerekjarto was already qualified in the 800m and for the second consecutive year he has qualified in both the 800m and 1500m. Last year, Kerekjarto did not compete in the post-season as a true freshman because of a knee injury. Both Kerekjarto and Nemeth will compete at the NCAA Mid-Eastern Regional on May 27-29 in Baton Rouge, La. The duo will compete for the right to advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Austin, Texas on June 10-13.

04/30/04		13th-ranked Tulane Takes 5-2 Win From Tigers In C-USA Baseball Action -- Tiger DH Ryan Martin equals career-high with three hits in loss (GoTigersGo.com)
		Memphis, Tenn. - The University of Memphis baseball team dropped a 5-1 decision to Tulane as J.R. Crowel pitched his second-straight complete game for the 13th-ranked Green Wave Friday at Nat Buring Stadium. Crowel scattered seven hits in the victory as Tulane (31-13) improved to 14-5 in Conference USA play while the Tigers (21-18) fell to 9-9 in league action. Rightfielder Brian Bogusevic paced the Tulane offense with three singles. Memphis designated hitter Ryan Martin equaled his career-high with three hits and blasted his fifth home run of the season off Crowel in the ninth. The Tigers recorded base hits in the first four innings, but squandered two good scoring chances as they stranded four baserunners in the opening two innings. Grube held Tulane to just a single through the first four innings, but the Green Wave broke a scoreless tie in the fifth as the visitors plated a pair of runs on four hits. Brian Bogusevic led the inning off with his second single of the game and scored on a RBI-double by Mark Hamilton. Holland then drove Hamilton in with a RBI-single to leftfield. Wes Swackhamer extended the Tulane lead to 4-0 in the sixth with a two-run homer. Third baseman Brian Bormaster made it a five-run lead with a solo shot in the seventh. Memphis cracked the scoreboard in the seventh scoring an unearned run on a RBI-groundout by Michael Lewis. Martin scored after reaching on an infield single. He added a solo home run in the ninth, but that Tigers could not get any closer as Crowel (7-1) got Lewis to popout to second to end the contest. Tiger relievers Brandon Rowan and Stephen Gostkowski held Tulane scoreless over the last 2.1 innings of the game. Grube (7-3) took the loss allowing five earned runs on nine hits in 6.2 innings. The Tigers and Green Wave will move to AutoZone Park for game two of the series. The game is scheduled for a tentative start at 5 p.m., and will follow the conclusion of the Memphis Redbirds' contest with Oklahoma City.

04/30/04		Track & Field to compete at Ole Miss Invite -- Final tune-up before C-USA Championships (GoTigersGo.com)
		OXFORD, Miss.-The University of Memphis Men's & Women's track teams will compete at the Ole Miss Invite this weekend hosted by the Rebels at the Ole Miss Track & Field Complex Saturday, May 1. This weekend's meet marks the final tune-up for both teams before they travel to Louisville to compete in the C-USA Outdoor Championships on May 13-15. Memphis currently stands with seven NCAA Regional Qualifiers in eight events and have a several other athletes on the verge of qualifying. In the 1500m, Szilard Toth, Michael Mentz, Abraham Shaposhnik and Szaboles Karadi are all looking for that elite performance that puts qualifies them for the regional. The benchmark in the 1500m is 3:48.21. Adam Martin is near a qualifying mark in the hammer throw, an event he qualified for in 2003. Janon Busby is also approaching a mark in the triple jump. On the women's side, Sue-Ann Bowen is striving for a time in the 400m, while Cassandra Harding is working toward a mark in the triple jump. Lady Tiger distance runners Ali Baker. Kara Cassel, Michel Wilson and Daniele Riendeau are all improving their times and hope to etch closer to qualifying times this weekend. The meet will run all day Saturday.

04/30/04		Walker and Spence Earn C-USA Sportsmanship Honors -- Walker adds another post-season award, while Spence earns his first career honor (GoTigersGo.com)
		CHICAGO - Several participants in men's tennis were awarded the league's Sportsmanship Award, it was announced today. C-USA sponsors a sportsmanship award in all sports. This award is meant for student-athletes, coaches or teams that perform an individual act of sporting behavior or generally conduct themselves with a high degree of good sportsmanship. Individuals and teams can be nominated by any staff member of a C-USA institution or by the conference office. 2004 Men's Tennis Sportsmanship Awards Fredy Barton, USF Sam Davidson, DePaul Juan Garzon, Southern Miss David Goulet, Tulane Jakob Gustafsson, Louisville Dorian Host, Charlotte Damar Johnson, Louisville Matt Mayer, Louisville Michael Kogan, Tulane Alex Menichini, TCU Marlo Santoso, Charlotte James Spence, Memphis Lee Taylor Walker, Memphis Lance Vodicka, Saint Louis

04/30/04		C-USA targets UTEP as member (Commercial Appeal)
		By Gary Parrish Contact April 30, 2004 Conference USA athletic directors have recommended inviting UTEP to be the league's 12th member, a source with knowledge of the situation told The Commercial Appeal. Now, all that stands between the Miners and an invitation is approval by C-USA presidents, which could come as early as today on a scheduled conference call. "We have made a recommendation on what to do, but that's all I can say," University of Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson said when reached Thursday. "I can't comment on any specifics." UTEP's basketball tradition (it won the national championship in 1966) and respectable football attendance (it's averaged 29,000 per game the past four seasons) are what makes the school attractive. Late Thursday, UTEP athletic director Bob Stull acknowledged being intrigued by an invitation, but minimized his comments. "I really don't want to have a reaction until it's a reality," he said. "We've been in the (Western Athletic Conference) for a long time, so any decision to move would have to be one that we feel very, very strongly about for the future of our university." - Gary Parrish: 529-2365

04/30/04		Delayed development -- Shortstop blossoms after waiting years for opportunity (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact April 30, 2004 When he signed with the University of Memphis out of Houston High four years ago, Josh Payne become the team's starting rightfielder and a valuable member of the bullpen. But had he trotted out to shortstop - and claimed the position he monopolized at Houston High - he might have driven an ex-high school teammate, a player blossoming in his junior season at the U of M, out of town. When the Tigers open a three-game series against 13th-ranked Tulane tonight at Nat Buring Stadium, starting shortstop Brent Dlugach will be in the same lineup with Payne. It's a combination that has helped the Tigers (21-17) match their win total of a year ago, surpass their total (20) from two years ago and place them in position to qualify for the C-USA Tournament. It would be the Tigers' first C-USA Tournament since 2001. Payne leads the team with 30 runs batted in, and Dlugach is hitting .312 with a team-leading six home runs. In high school, they never got the opportunity to be so productive during the same season. Dlugach spent most of his prep career serving as Payne's understudy. "It was funny," Payne said. "About the only time he'd come in and play shortstop was when I'd close." Payne hit .410 his senior year at Houston and helped the Mustangs to a 30-8 mark, including a third-place finish in the state tournament. Dlugach watched his teammate earn All-Metro honors, in addition to being named The Commercial Appeal's Shelby County Best of the Preps Male Athlete of the Year. "I was pretty sure when Josh graduated that I'd get the chance to play shortstop every day," Dlugach said. "I was just praying every night that I'd take advantage of it. I knew I didn't have long to prove myself to colleges." Dlugach, empowered by a growth spurt his junior year, capitalized. He hit .394, led the Shelby-Metro area with 50 hits and stroked 20 doubles, one shy of the school record. Son of former Tiger catcher Mike Dlugach, who reached the Triple-A level in the Chicago White Sox organization, Dlugach said he grew from 5-9 and 130 pounds to 6-4 and 185 from the end of his sophomore to the end of his junior year. "I was just kind of a utility infielder until my junior year," he said. "I was a little smaller than everybody else. I got a little bit of playing time my junior year, mostly when Josh pitched." Payne said Dlugach has grown into "the perfect baseball body" at 6-5 and 195 pounds. He also credits Dlugach's success this season to the extra time he spent during the offseason in the weight room. After hitting .271 with eight home runs as a freshman, Dlugach dropped to .243 with four home runs as a sophomore. "I think I put a lot of undue pressure on myself last year," Dlugach said. "I came out and had a decent freshman year and thought I was supposed to do something superhuman last year. "That didn't happen. So this year I worked the hardest I've ever worked before this season. It's really no pressure if you prepare yourself and go out and do your best." Dlugach did weight work and worked hard to improve his speed. He said after the fall practice sessions, he was in the weight room "five or six times" a week. "I feel like I can wait longer and be quicker to the ball," he said. "When I hit it good, it still feels the same as last year. But I feel like I can wait longer and stay back and drive through the ball better." One of several Tigers expected to be taken in this summer's amateur draft, Dlugach has what Tiger coach Dave Anderson calls "a high ceiling." "He really hasn't played that much," said Anderson, a former big league infielder with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants, noting Dlugach's delayed high-school development. "He played his senior year of high school, the summer of his senior year and he has played 21/2 seasons with us. He has played less than 200 games at a highly competitive level. So he's getting better and better. He's one of those guys that is going to continue to develop." Anderson said Dlugach's defensive skills "are as good as anybody I've ever seen with some of the things he does." "He catches the ball and gets rid of it as good as anybody," Anderson said. "And we've thrown some more stuff at him this year to make him an even better defensive player." Payne said he still jokes with Dlugach about delaying his development. "But no hard feelings," Payne said. "I was always playing shortstop and I was getting recruited as a shortstop. "Now I'm watching him develop. I love seeing him do well. It's fun. We're just two Houston guys trying to do well. We've just got to keep it going."

04/30/04		Tiger Notes -- Track, Football, Volleyball (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact April 30, 2004 Stanford's atmosphere suits track pair One won't find University of Memphis distance runner Mate Nemeth complaining of jet lag today. Nemeth and teammate Istvan Kerekjarto are in Palo Alto, Calif., today to participate in the Cardinal Invitational hosted by Stanford University. Nemeth competed in the 3,000-meter steeplechase last year in the Cardinal Invitational and placed fourth with a time of 8 minutes, 37.53 seconds, which set a school record. He and Kerekjarto, who will run the 1,500 meters, will attempt to better their 2004 NCAA regional qualifying times. Nemeth qualified earlier this spring with a time of 9:04.79, which he improved upon last week at the prestigious Penn Relays with a time of 8:50.95. Kerekjarto has turned in a regional-qualifying time of 1:48.13 in the 800 meters. "Stanford is, for whatever reason, fabulous for distance runners," said men's track coach Glenn Hays. "The longer the distance, the better." Hays said distance runners like the weather, the track, the nighttime racing and that "people from all over the country run in this race." "The atmosphere is great," Hays said. "Mate ran his personal best (8:37.53) there last year." Hays said it is an expensive trip, but added "I wouldn't do it unless we had someone special competing." The remaining members of the men's track team, along with the women's team, will participate in the Ole Miss Invitational Saturday in Oxford, Miss. It will mark the final tuneups before the Tiger teams participate in the Conference USA Outdoor Championships May 13-15. Strong indicator? Tiger athletic director R.C. Johnson said that more than 5,500 football season tickets were sold - either by renewal or new purchases - during an early-bird period that ended in mid-March. Assistant AD Melissa Moore said the total represented a record, surpassing last year's record total by more than 4,200. "I think it's awesome," Johnson said. "I think it's a continuation of the (momentum) from the New Orleans Bowl and just overall optimism for next season." The Tigers finished 9-4, their first winning season since 1994, and participated in their first bowl since 1971. Tiger coach Tommy West called the ticket sales "a good sign." "Now we've just got to keep it going," he said. "We really need to try and double our season-ticket sales (of 12,130) from last year and possibly go over that. "That's part of growing the program. We've made some noise regionally. If we want to make some noise nationally, those are the things we are going to have to do." Odds and ends The Lady Tiger volleyball team, which went 30-6 last season and made its first appearance in the C-USA Tournament final, released its schedule this week. The team will open its season Sept. 3-4 at the Elma Roane Field House in the U of M Invitational and close at home Nov. 13 against Houston. . . . Tiger men's basketball coach John Calipari will kick off the Arthritis Walk at Shelby Farms Saturday. - Phil Stukeborg: 529-2543

04/30/04		Tennis star on C-USA first team (Commercial Appeal)
		By The Commercial Appeal April 30, 2004 Senior Lee Taylor Walker capped his University of Memphis tennis career Thursday by being named to the All-Conference USA first team. Walker, who is the No. 96-ranked singles player in the country in the latest poll released Tuesday, guided the Tigers to their first C-USA semifinal appearance in the league tournament two weeks ago. The Jackson, Tenn., native capped his senior season with a 15-10 mark at No. 1 singles and a 15-6 mark at No. 1 doubles with sophomore James Spence. Walker finished his three-year Tiger career with a 49-28 dual singles record and a 54-43 overall singles mark while a Memphis Tiger. Walker transferred to Memphis from Clemson as a sophomore. Walker is the first Tiger to receive a first-team All-Conference USA honor, and the first Tiger since 1994 to earn a first-team honor from any conference Memphis has belonged to. Brian Cox was a Great Midwest All-Conference award winner in 1994. The Tigers finished the 2004 season with a 15-11 overall record, falling to eventual conference champ, Tulane, in the C-USA semifinals.

04/30/04		Where are they now: Josh Stewart, Tiger baseball 1998-99 (Commercial Appeal)
		Josh Stewart doesn't throw hard. That's the knock. That's always been the knock. Still, the lefthander from the University of Memphis has put together a nice pitching career. After a stellar junior season in 1999, the Chicago White Sox took Stewart in the fifth round of the amateur draft. By 2003, he was making his major league debut. Stewart got five starts with the White Sox last season, which produced a 1-2 record and a 5.96 earned run average. But a Jeff Conine line drive to the chest in his third start caused some circulation complications, so Stewart was put on the disabled list and eventually shut down for the summer. Now, everything is fine. Stewart was invited to the big league camp this spring before being reassigned to Triple-A Charlotte of the International League. He's 0-2 with a solid 3.52 ERA and is scheduled to start Saturday. "Josh is throwing really well," said Charlotte media relations director Ryan Gerds. "We just can't score any runs for him." Don't be surprised if Stewart ends up with the White Sox again. He's the only lefty in Charlotte's rotation, so filling a need in the big leagues could be an option. "If they need a lefty, Josh would be the guy," Gerds said. "And they already know he can do it." - Gary Parrish

04/30/04		Five questions with R.C. Johnson, Athletic Director (Commercial Appeal)
		Q: You're a member of the Division 1 Management Council, the committee that voted to repeal the much-scrutinized 5-8 scholarship rule for men's basketball. How'd you get on that? A: The six BCS conferences and Conference USA each have three representatives, all the others have one. The presidents and the commissioners are the ones who select you, and (U of M President) Dr. (Shirley) Raines nominated me for it. Q: Another week, the naming rights to another office sold for $100,000. So this campaign is going OK, huh? A: How about that? And we've got others out there talking about it, too. I really am thrilled. The support for us around here has always been terrific, and now it's coming around again. It's exciting, refreshing and obviously very helpful. Q: Where are you on the FedExForum situation? What's next? A: On May 13 we go to Nashville (to meet with the State Building Commission). Q: Who's we? A: Dr. Raines will go. Myself. We're going to take anybody from the university who has anything that could help us make our presentation. And that day in Nashville - 1:30 p.m. on May 13 - should be the last hurdle. Q: And I'm assuming you'll be glad to jump it? A: Ah man. But it's going to be worth it. John (Calipari) is excited about it. He's been taking kids down there. And I was over in Nashville (this week) speaking to the state high school athletic director's association, and it was brought up by them. They were excited about it for us. They thought it was really a neat thing. They know how good the (basketball) program is, and they've heard about the FedExForum. So that helps justify all we've gone through to get this accomplished. - Gary Parrish

04/29/04		Tiger Baseball Readies For 13th-ranked Green Wave -- Memphis and Tulane set to play three-game C-USA series this weekend (GoTigersGo.com)
		Memphis, Tenn. - The University of Memphis baseball team will host the 13th-ranked Tulane Green Wave this weekend in a Conference USA series. The Tigers (21-17, 9-8 C-USA) and Green Wave (30-13, 13-5 C-USA) will play games one and three on Friday (7 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.) at Nat Buring Stadium, respectively. The teams will play game two as part of a doubleheader with the Triple A Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park Saturday. The Redbirds are scheduled to play the Oklahoma City Redhawks at 1:05 p.m. with the Tigers and Green Wave tentatively slated to follow at 5 p.m. It is the sixth home game of the season for the Tigers at the Downtown park, but it will be the first time in the school's history they will share the field with the Redbirds on the same day. The Tigers are 2-3 at AutoZone Park this season. The Tigers are coming off a doubleheader sweep of USF last Sunday that lifted the team to sixth place in the league standings while the Green Wave took sole possession of second with a three-game sweep of No. 20 Southern Miss in New Orleans. Tulane swept the three-game series from Memphis last season at Turchin Stadium.

04/29/04		Nemeth and Kerekjarto to compete in Cardinal Invitational -- Duo looks to post good times against top competition, in high altitude (GoTigersGo.com)
		PALO ALTO, Calif.-The University of Memphis will send two athletes to California to compete in the Cardinal Invitational hosted by Stanford University at the Cobb Track & Angell Field. NCAA Regional Qualifiers Mate Nemeth and Istvan Kerekjarto will compete in the meet which will host some of the nation's top athletes this weekend. Nemeth will compete in the 3000m Steeplechase, while Kerekjarto will run the 800m and 1500m. In 2003, Nemeth placed fourth in the 3000m steeplechase at the Stanford Invitational and set a new school record in the event with a time of 8:37.53. Kerekjarto also competed and placed eight in the 800m. The meet will take place Friday, April 30 with the field events beginning at 4:00 p.m. and running events at 6:00 p.m. Nemeth will compete at 7:35 p.m. (PCT) and Kerekjarto will compete at 8:30 and 10:05 p.m. (PCT).

04/29/04		Walker Named First Team All-Conference -- Becomes first men's tennis player to earn first team all-conference honors since 1994 (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Senior Lee Taylor Walker capped his Tiger tennis career in style with a first-team all Conference USA honor, it was announced Thursday. Walker, who is the No. 96 ranked singles player in the country in the latest poll released Tuesday, guided the Tigers to their first-ever C-USA Semifinal appearance in the league tournament two weeks ago. The Jackson, Tenn. native capped his senior season with a 15-10 mark at No. 1 singles and a 15-6 mark at No. 1 doubles with sophomore James Spence. Walker finished his three-year Tiger career with a 49-28 dual singles record and a 54-43 overall singles mark while a Memphis Tiger. Walker transferred to Memphis from Clemson as a sophomore, before teaming with Tiger teammate Ben Stapp as the Tigers' No. 1 doubles duo ranking as high as No. 12 in the nation in doubles in the fall of 2002. Walker is the first Tiger to ever receive a first-team All-Conference USA honor, and the first Tiger since 1994 to earn a first team honor from any conference Memphis has belonged to. Brian Cox was a Great Midwest All-Conference award winner in 1994. Memphis has had an All-Conference USA honoree in five of the past six seasons, starting with Richard Magney in 1999 and most recently ending with Walker. The Tigers finished the 2004 season with a 15-11 overall record, falling to eventual conference champ, Tulane, in the C-USA Semifinals. During the league tournament, the Tigers gave Tiger Head Coach Phil Chamberlain his 100th career victory, and used a 4-3 win over USF to help vault Memphis back to No. 74 in the country in the latest ITA polls. Tulane swept the conference special awards, with senior Michael Kogan earning his fourth straight Player of the Year award. Tulane head coach Robert Klein was named the league coach of the year, while Green Wave freshman David Goulet picked up the freshman of the year award. Walker was joined on the first team by Kogan and Tulane's Dmitriy Koch, Louisville's Matt Mayer, TCU's Alex Menichini and USF's Uli Kiendl. TCU's Hector Almada and Fabrizio Sestini, USF's Fredy Barton, USM's David Canudas, SLU's Ikaika Jobe and UAB's Tobi Klein made up the second team, while Charlotte's Arturo Aguirre, Marquette's Raj Gill, DePaul's Mark Henderson, Louisville's Damar Johnson, TCU's Jacopo Tezza and Tulane' David Goulet and Jacobo Hernandez made up the third team. Hector Almada from TCU and Jacobo Hernandez from Tulane shared the Singles Player of the Championship award, while the Doubles Team of the Championship Award went to TCU's Alex Menichini and Jacob Martin. The field for the NCAA Men's Tennis Championships will be announced Wednesday, May 5th at 4 p.m. (ET) on ESPNews. The First and Second Rounds will be conducted at 16 different sites and will offer 64 teams a shot at the NCAA title beginning May 14-16, 2004. The NCAA Championships will be hosted by the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Okla., May 22-31.

04/29/04		Tigers fall to Blue Raiders' hot offense (Commercial Appeal)
		By From Our Press Services April 29, 2004 The University of Memphis baseball team dropped an 8-5 decision to Middle Tennessee as the Tigers could not overcome a 17-hit attack by the Blue Raiders at Nat Buring Stadium on Wednesday. Leadoff hitter Eric McNamee led the Blue Raider charge with four hits and first baseman Derek Phillips and third baseman Brett Carroll each added three hits as Middle Tennessee (27-16) earned a split in the two-game set with the Tigers (21-17). Chad House paced the Tigers' offense that had 10 hits with a homer and a triple. Kyle Scott also homered and had two hits for the Tigers.

04/28/04		Tiger Baseball Falls To Middle Tennessee 8-5 -- Chad House homered and tripled in the loss for the Tigers (GoTigersGo.com)
		Memphis, Tenn. - The University of Memphis baseball team dropped an 8-5 decision to Middle Tennessee as the Tigers could not overcome a 17-hit attack by the Blue Raiders at Nat Buring Stadium Wednesday. Leadoff hitter Eric McNamee led the Blue Raider charge with four hits and first baseman Derek Phillips and third baseman Brett Carroll each added three hits as Middle Tennessee (27-16) earned a split in the two-game set with the Tigers (21-17). Chad House paced the Tigers' offense that had 10 hits with a homer and a triple. Kyle Scott also homered and had two hits for the Tigers. Michael Lewis had a pair of singles and two RBI. The visitors grabbed a quick 2-0 lead in the first when Phillips belted a two-run homer to right-center off Memphis starter Michael Novareses. The Tigers cut the lead in half in the bottom of the first when House sent the first pitch Blue Raider starter Shay Horseman threw over the leftfield wall. A two-run single by Lewis in the second scored Ryan Martin and Kyle Scott as the Tigers took a 3-2 lead. Horseman (1-2) allowed just one more run over the next three innings to pick up his first win of the season. The Blue Raiders strung together four straight hits and a walk to open the third, but could only plate one run to tie the game at three. Carroll doubled in a run, but Eric McNamee was erased after being caught stealing and Shane Kemp grounded into a double to play to end the threat. House tripled in the fifth and scored on a sacrifice fly by Bill Moss to give Memphis a 4-3 lead. However, it was short-lived as Middle took advantage of five hits and three Tiger errors to score four runs in the sixth off Memphis reliever Corey Kines (1-1). Carroll singled and scored on a two-run homer by Nate Jaggers. The Blue Raiders then added two more runs on a RBI-single by Michael McKenry and an error by House in leftfield. Blue Raider reliever Danny Borne came on to pitch for Horseman in the sixth and held the Tigers scoreless over the next three innings. The Blue Raiders tacked on a run in the ninth off reliever Bill Edwards when McNamee singled and moved over to third on a sac bunt and a wild pitch before scoring on a Phillips' RBI-single. Kyle Scott launched a solo home run in the ninth off Middle reliever Steve Klein, but that would be as close as the Tigers would get. Eric Blevins replaced Klein and retired the next two Tigers to end the game. The Tigers host Tulane in a Conference USA series this weekend. Friday night's game is at Nat Buring Stadium with first pitch set for 7 p.m. On Saturday, the Tigers and Green Wave will play at AutoZone Park following the completion of the Memphis Redbirds' game with Oklahoma City that starts at 1:05 p.m. The teams return to Nat Buring on Sunday to conclude the series at 1 p.m.

04/28/04		Tiger Notes: Baseball, Tennis, Track (Commercial Appeal)
		By From Our Press Services April 28, 2004 Tigers' heavy hits throttle Raiders The University of Memphis baseball team pounded out 10 hits in a 10-5 victory over Middle Tennessee on Tuesday at Nat Buring Stadium. It was the sixth straight win for the Tigers (21-16) at their home park as catcher Kurt Welch and designated hitter Ryan Martin each had three RBI. A wild first inning saw the Blue Raiders (26-16) take a 3-0 lead on a Derek Phillips RBI-double and a Brett Carroll two-run homer only to see the Tigers answer with four runs of their own to claim a 4-3 lead. Memphis pushed its lead to 8-4 in the fifth on a three-run homer by Martin. Blue Raider reliever Travis Horschel walked Dlugach and hit Josh Payne to set up Martin's fourth home run of the season. The Tigers built their lead to 10-4 in the sixth as Chad House singled and scored on a triple by Bill Moss. Briefly: University of Memphis senior tennis player Marlene Dirnstorfer earned her first All-Conference USA honor by being named to the third team. U of M senior distance runner Mate Nemeth was named the Conference USA Male Track & Field Athlete of the Week.

04/27/04		Tiger Baseball Pounds Middle Tennessee 10-5 -- Memphis DH Ryan Martin blasts three-run homers in back-to-back games (GoTigersGo.com)
		Memphis, Tenn. - The University of Memphis baseball team pounded out 10 hits in a 10-5 victory over Middle Tennessee Tuesday at Nat Buring Stadium. It was the sixth straight win for the Tigers (21-16) at their home park as catcher Kurt Welch and designated hitter Ryan Martin each had three RBIs. The Tigers equaled their win total of 21 from last season with the victory. A wild first inning saw the Blue Raiders (26-16) take a 3-0 lead on a Derek Phillips RBI-double and a Brett Carroll two-run homer only to see the Tigers answer with four runs of their own to claim a 4-3 lead. The first four batters reached on singles as the Tigers posted five hits in the inning and were aided on two errors by Carroll. Brent Dlugach drove in the first run with a single through the left side and Welch laced a single to right to drive in two. Adam Amar scored the fourth run on a wild pitch by Middle Tennessee starter Jeff Kasser. The Tigers extended their lead to 5-3 in the fourth on a RBI-groundout by Chad House. Middle Tennessee closed within a run on a RBI-single by Phillips and tried to tie it, but he was thrown out at the plate by Memphis rightfielder Jordan Hart on a single by Shane Kemp. It was Hart's 12th outfield assist of the season. Memphis pushed its lead to 8-4 in the fifth on a three-run homer by Martin. Blue Raider reliever Travis Horschel walked Dlugach and hit Josh Payne to set up Martin's fourth home run of the season. The Tigers built their lead to 10-4 in the sixth as Chad House singled and scored on a triple by Bill Moss. Welch drove in Moss with a sacrifice fly to right. House and Moss each had two hits in the game. Middle threatened in the ninth loading the bases but the Blue Raiders plated just one run on a RBI-double by Carroll as Memphis reliever Corey Kines recorded the final two outs in the game. Lefthander Brandon Rowan (2-1) tossed 2.1 innings of scoreless relief to pick up the win. Kasser took the loss allowing four earned runs on seven hits in 3.1 innings of work. Stephen Gostkowski started for the Tigers allowing four runs 4.1 innings. Memphis and Middle Tennessee will conclude the two-game set Wednesday with first pitch at 2 p.m. The Tigers host Tulane in Conference USA series this weekend.

04/27/04		Tiger Volleyball Announces 2004 Schedule -- Memphis to face three defending league champs and four NCAA tournament teams in 2004 (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis volleyball team, coming off a 30-6 season and its first-ever appearance in the Conference USA Finals, will face three defending conference champions and a series of opponents with familiar faces during the fall 2004 schedule announced Tuesday. The Tigers will open the season at home with their own tournament, which features Tennessee State, Alabama A&M, Delaware State and Illinois-Chicago. Alabama A&M finished with a 20-4 mark last year and is the four-time defending SWAC champ, while UIC will be led by former USF Head Coach Nancy Mueller. Mueller left USF for UIC during the off-season. The tournament will open the schedule Sept. 3-4 in the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. Memphis will then depart for a trip through Utah, home of senior setter Heather Watts and sophomore Jennie Toronto. The Tigers will start the Utah trip at Weber State, Sept. 8th, then will travel to BYU to participate in the BYU Invitational. The Cougars of BYU have appeared in 21 of the last 23 NCAA tournaments, and will also offer Memphis a chance to face former Southern Miss head coach Santiago Restrepo, who is now the head coach at Oklahoma. Restrepo, who was senior Tiara Gilkey's coach in club ball, and his Sooners will be one of just four non-conference matches for the Tigers in the tournament. Memphis will also face defending Atlantic Sun and future C-USA member UCF at the BYU tournament. UCF advanced to the second round of the NCAA Championships with a win over Cincinnati in last year's tournament before falling to No. 3 ranked Florida. The Tigers will also face Utah Valley State at the tourney. The Tigers will host a pair of matches on Sept. 14th. The Tigers will face Division II foe Central Arkansas at 4 p.m. before hosting Arkansas State at 7 p.m. UCA features a familiar face for one of the Tigers, as senior Heather Watts will have an opportunity to square off against her younger sister, Hilary. Hilary Watts is a sophomore defensive specialist for the Bears, who finished 7-5 in the Gulf South Conference last year. It will be a short trip down to the Tigers' third tournament, as Memphis travels to Starkville to participate in the Mississippi State tournament, Sept. 17-18th. In that tournament, Memphis is slated to face Mississippi State, Eastern Kentucky and Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs will be in their first year under former player Michelle Durbin, who came to MSU from Alabama during the off-season. The Tigers will hop on a plane and head for North Carolina to round out the pre-season, with a non-conference match at Davidson, a team Memphis faced in a tournament last year, before traveling to Greensboro, N.C., to participate in the UNC Greensboro tournament. At the UNCG tourney, Memphis will face Florida Atlantic, UNC Asheville, Morgan State and host UNCG. The Conference USA schedule will open against Saint Louis, Oct. 1st, in the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. The Billikens will be without retired head coach Marilyn Nolen for the first time in league history. Nolen was inducted into the inaugural AVCA Hall of Fame Class in 2003 on her retirement from SLU. Memphis then hits the road for its first conference road competitions, playing at Southern Miss, Oct. 8th, and at Tulane, Oct. 9th. Tulane and the Tigers last squared off in the second round of the Conference USA tournament in New Orleans, where Memphis ended Tulane's run in the league tournament with a 3-1 win, their second 3-1 victory over the Green Wave in seven days. East Carolina and Charlotte will venture into Memphis, Oct. 15-16th, before Memphis hits the road for three straight road matches, starting at Ole Miss, Oct. 19th, and at C-USA defending tournament champ, Louisville, Oct. 22nd. Memphis will round out a difficult road swing at defending regular season co-champion, Cincinnati, Oct. 23rd, before returning home for a non-conference match against Middle Tennessee, Oct. 26th. Middle Tennessee is another opponent with a new head coach, as Matt Peck, who guided Division II North Alabama to last year's NCAA Championship title brings his 291-41 career record to Division I and Murfreesboro. Memphis will then host Marquette and DePaul for the final time as C-USA foes, Oct. 29-30th, before traveling to UAB and USF the weekend of Nov. 5-6. The Tigers will close out the schedule at home against TCU and Houston, Nov. 12-13th, with the Houston match being senior night for setter Heather Watts and outside hitter Tiara Gilkey. The Conference USA tournament will be Nov. 19-22nd and will be hosted by Louisville in their final year in the league. Tiger Head Coach Carrie Yerty will be entering her 9th season at the helm of the Memphis program. Last year's .833 winning percentage was the best in school history and the 2003 Tigers became just the second-ever Conference USA to hit the 30-win mark. Only two other Tiger teams had more wins, both of them coming when college volleyball played 50-60 regular season contests. The Tigers will return all but two players from the 2003 squad. Seniors Brittany Barnett and Shella Neba will graduate from Memphis on Saturday after helping Memphis to an 84-45 mark over their four-year careers. Heather Watts and Tiara Gilkey will make up the 2004 senior class, while the junior class will consist of Nancy Nellans, Kristen Hardee and Fehi Tuivai. The sophomore class will be made up of Christen Clayton, Melissa Nance, Hristina Slancheva, Emily Steckel and Jennie Toronto. The Tigers signed two student-athletes for the fall of 2004. For information on the Tigers' 2004 recruiting class, please see the University of Memphis official website at www.gotigersgo.com and select news archives on the volleyball main page. Memphis could add two more matches to its 2004 schedule. For more information, please follow the Tigers' website at www.gotigersgo.com.

04/27/04		Nemeth Named Co-Conference USA Male Track & Field Athlete of the Week -- Second Tiger to win award in 2004 (GoTigersGo.com)
		CHICAGO-Memphis senior distance runner Mate Nemeth was named the Conference USA Male Track & Field Athlete of the Week it was announced by the conference offices Tuesday. Nemeth placed third in the 3000m Steeplechase with a time of 8:50.95 at the Penn Relays. It marked the second consecutive year that Nemeth placed at the highly competitive meet. In 2003, Nemeth won the steeplechase competition at the Penn Relays. Nemeth's time was the best by any runner in C-USA and ranks 11th in the nation in 2004. Nemeth holds the school record in the event at 8:37.53 (Stanford Invitational, 2003). Nemeth share's this week's award with TCU's Jerry Harris, who anchored TCU's 4x100m Relay team to a gold medal performance at the Penn Relays. Nemeth is the second Memphis Tiger to claim this award in 2004, as Gaute Myklebust was honored the week of March 30.

04/27/04		Dirnstorfer Named Third Team All Conference -- Lady Tigers earn at least one all-conference award for sixth straight season (GoTigersGo.com)
		Senior Marlene Dirnstorfer earned her first career all-Conference USA honor with a third-team honor in the poll released, Tuesday. Dirnstorfer finished the 2004 spring season with a 17-6 record at No. 1 singles after playing at No. 5 singles for the Lady Tigers last season. Dirnstorfer also teamed with senior Viktoria Gruber to post an 11-11 mark at No. 1 doubles for the spring season as the two seniors guided a young Lady Tiger team to a 10th-place finish in the C-USA tournament two weeks ago. This is the sixth straight year the Lady Tigers have had at least one player earn all-conference honors. Last year was the first time in six years that a pair of Lady Tigers were honored when Sabrina Lindemann earned her third career honor, while Monica Gonzalez-Gordo earned her first. Christina Ladyman had earned all-conference honors in 1998, 1999 and 2001. Dirnstorfer will return to the Lady Tiger roster next year, wrapping up her final year of eligibility while attending graduate school at Memphis. Gruber wrapped her two-year Lady Tiger career with a 33-29 record in singles and a 35-24 mark in doubles.

04/27/04		Tiger Baseball Set To Host Middle Tennessee In Two-Game Set At Nat Buring -- Tigers and Blue Raiders Play Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Wednesday at 2 p.m. (GoTigersGo.com)
		Memphis, Tenn.- - The University of Memphis baseball team is scheduled to play Middle Tennessee in a two-game at Nat Buring Stadium. The mid-week series is slated to get under way Tuesday at 7 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. start Wednesday. The Tigers will look to extend their five-game winning streak at The Nat after sweeping USF in a doubleheader there Sunday. The Tigers (20-16) and Blue Raiders (26-15) split their four games last season with each team winning once on the visitors home field. Memphis leads the all-time series with the Blue Raiders 31-23. The Tigers are 7-3 at home this season while the Blue Raiders are 14-7 away from Murfreesboro.

04/27/04		U OF M NOTEBOOK (Commercial Appeal)
		Another sale Two-hundred thousand dollars in the past four days. This naming-rights campaign at the University of Memphis is going OK. Athletic director R.C. Johnson announced Monday that the naming rights to John Calipari's office have been sold for $100,000 to an anonymous donor. This follows Friday's news that Mike and Debbi Rose bought the naming rights to Johnson's office, also for $100,000. Since the Naming Rights Legacy Campaign began in February, the U of M has raised about $600,000. The goal is to reach $10 million. Director resigns Cheri Ganong-Robinson has resigned as director of spirit squads at the U of M, effective immediately. Frankie Conklin has been named interim director. Under the guidance of Ganong-Robinson, the Memphis pom pon team won 10 national championships, the last coming in 2002. The pom pon team placed third in the most recent nationals. "We appreciate all of the years of service at Cheri gave to the University of Memphis," Johnson said. "We wish her the best in her future endeavors." Recruit shines Tiger basketball signee Richard Dorsey helped his team to a 123-108 win in the Derek Anderson Derby Festival last weekend in Louisville, Ky. A Laurinburg (N.C.) Prep standout, Dorsey had 17 points and eight rebounds in the game featuring some of the top incoming freshman in the nation, which was played before more than 8,000 people at Freedom Hall. He also finished second in the dunk contest. - Gary Parrish: 529-2365

04/27/04		Traffic violation leads to arrest of U of M's Burks (Commercial Appeal)
		By Gary Parrish Contact April 27, 2004 Although driving is a part of his forte on the basketball court, former University of Memphis guard Antonio Burks has found trouble behind the wheel. Burks was arrested Monday, thanks to an unpaid traffic violation turned suspended license turned bad. "It was just an issue of a couple of traffic tickets," said Ken Bennett, Burks's mentor through STREETS Ministries. "It's all cleared up now." Which is good for Burks, but still little consolation for the arrest, which forced the reigning Conference USA Player of the Year to post two $250 bonds before being released. Burks is due back in court this morning for a hearing at which everything is expected to be settled. Here's how the situation started: According to court records, Burks was cited on March 2 for speeding and driving on a suspended license. He was to appear for booking and processing on March 11, but instead was in Cincinnati for the C-USA Tournament, which forced his absence. Fast-forward to last Thursday and, according to Athletic Resource Management attorney Rick Landrum, Burks went to court to clear all his fines. Landrum said the only thing lacking was the 6-0 point guard getting his license renewed. General Sessions Court Judge Ann Pugh asked when he could return with that done. "She said she would give Antonio 10 days, but he told her he'd go get it done right then and come back the next day with it," Landrum said. "Well, he went that afternoon to try to get it done. But even though he had paid all his fines, there was still a hold on his license. So, by no fault of his own, he couldn't get it done." Burks did not return to court to explain the next day, Landrum said. So Pugh issued an arrest warrant, and when Burks arrived at General Sessions Court to clear the matter on Monday, he was instead arrested. "She said, 'I'm sorry. But when you didn't show up, I had to issue the warrant,' " Landrum said. "So they took him and processed him. "With as many people as they're handling down there, it took about six or seven hours for him to go through processing," Landrum added. "All this, basically because of a paperwork matter over past due traffic citations." - Gary Parrish: 529-2365

04/26/04		Ganong-Robinson Resigns As Spirit Squad Director At UM -- Part of Memphis Pom Pons for 29 years (GoTigersGo.com)
		Cheri Ganong-Robinson, who for the past 29 years has been a part of the University of Memphis spirit squads, has resigned her position effective immediately. Ganong-Robinson served as a dancer with the prestigious group while a student at the U of M and after graduation became the director of the spirit squads. Under her guidance, the Pom Pon Team won 10 national championships, the last coming in the spring of 2002. "We appreciate all of the years of service that Cheri gave to the University of Memphis," said Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson. "We wish her the best in her future endeavors." The Memphis pom pon squad placed third in their most recent championships, which were held in Daytona Beach, Florida. Earlier in the spring, the Memphis all-girls competitive cheer squad won the school's first national championship in cheerleading, while the coed cheerleaders placed fourth in the competition held in Orlando, Florida. The cheer units are under the direction of Frankie Conklin and Carol Loyd. Conklin has been named the interim director of the spirit squads and will begin duties immediately.

04/26/04		Tiger Naming Rights Campaign Picks Up Momentum -- Anonymous donor buys rights to John Calipari's office (GoTigersGo.com)
		Last week University of Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson announced that the naming rights for his office had been sold to Mike and Debbi Rose for $100,000. That announcement has led to another office being purchased by a Tiger supporter. The naming rights for the office of Memphis head basketball coach John Calipari have been purchased by an anonymous donor for $100,000. Under the plan, offices, locker rooms and even playing fields and practice areas are available to be named after a Tiger fan or donor if the price was right. In fact, if all of the available areas were sold, over $10,000,000 could be deposited in the U of M general athletic fund.

04/26/04		Call was late, but U of M star still glad (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact April 26, 2004 University of Memphis defensive lineman Eric Taylor finally got the call . . . minutes before his name appeared on ESPN2's coverage of the NFL Draft. Taylor, who had heard he might go as high as the fifth round, was selected in the seventh and final round by the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday. Taylor was the 212th pick overall and the 11th pick of the seventh round. "Being that late in the draft, I was just happy to hear my name," said Taylor, the only U of M player chosen in the two-day draft. A defensive end his senior year, Taylor (6-2, 302) likely will move back to defensive tackle with the Steelers. Taylor, a native of Winchester, Tenn., played defensive tackle his first three seasons at Memphis. Linebacker/defensive back Derrick Ballard was considered a possible draft pick but went unselected. He signed a free agent contract with the Chicago Bears. Taylor said he was contacted by the Steelers organization minutes before his official selection. "The front office called and said 'Do you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler?' and then (coach) Bill Cowher came on the line and said 'Congratulations, you're a Pittsburgh Steeler.' " Taylor said he'll report to Pittsburgh May 6 for the start of a three-day mini camp and return May 17 for a four-week session. With the Steelers, Taylor will reunite with former Tiger running back Dante Brown. Brown signed as a free agent last year after going undrafted and made the team after an impressive preseason. The Steelers have several other U of M connections. Former Tiger center Jimond Pugh also signed as a free agent after last season and, like Brown, is listed on the 2004 roster. And Steelers linebackers coach Keith Butler is a former Tiger player and assistant, whose son, Blake, is an offensive lineman at the U of M. "It's going to help having people up there who can show me around," Taylor said. - Phil Stu kenborg: 529-2543

04/25/04		Tiger Baseball Sweeps Doubleheader From USF -- Memphis backs up strong pitching in game one with big hits in game two (GoTigersGo.com)
		Memphis, Tenn. - The University of Memphis baseball team swept a pair of seven-inning games from USF Sunday at Nat Buring Stadium using strong pitching to take game one 1-0 and timely hitting to earn a 7-2 victory in game two. The Tigers (20-16, 9-8 C-USA) and Bulls were finally able to squeeze in a pair of games after seeing Friday's and Saturday's contests postponed by heavy rains throughout the MidSouth. In game one, Memphis starter Jarrett Grube and Bill Edwards combined on an eight-hit shutout as the Tigers held on for a rare 1-0 victory. The shutout ended a streak of 246 games since the 2000 season that the Bulls had scored safely in and was just the second time they had ever been blanked in C-USA regular season action. The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the first off USF starter Casey Hedspeth after Bill Moss doubled and scored on a two-out, RBI-single by Kurt Welch. The run would be all the Tigers would need despite the Bulls threatening to score in several innings as they left 11 men on base in the game. Hedspeth (5-3) took the loss despite keeping the Tigers off the board the rest of the way surrendering just four hits. The Bulls had a pair of hits in the third, fourth, fifth and seventh innings respectively, but Grube and Edwards were both able to escape the jams unscathed. Grube (7-2) allowed a one-out single to Mike Macaluso in the seventh before giving way to Edwards. USF then loaded the bases off the Memphis righthander after a double by Myron Leslie and an intentional walk to Devan Ivany, but Edwards was able to induce Jeff Baisley into an game-ending double play to pick up his third save of the season. Grube struck out six Bulls in the contest. In game two, Memphis starter Derek Hankins (5-4) threw just three pitches before it was delayed an hour and 53 minutes by rain. The Bulls had a runner on second when play resumed after Macaluso led off the game with a single and moved to second on a wild pitch before the delay. The game resumed with catcher Devin Ivany driving in Malacuso with a RBI-single to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead in the first. First baseman Matt McHargue added a run to the Bulls' lead with a solo home run in the third. It was his 10th home run of the season. USF starter Kyle Schmidt (6-3) walked the bases loaded in the third and the Tigers took advantage staging a five-run, two-out rally. Welch laced a single into left to drive in a pair of runs and designated hitter Ryan Martin then launched a three-run homer to give Memphis a 5-2 lead. Memphis shortstop Brent Dlugach extended the Tigers' lead to 7-2 in the fifth with a two-run homer off USF reliever Chase Lirette. Moss added his second two-bagger of the doublheader scoring on Dlugach's team-leading sixth home run of the season. Hankins fanned six and allowed five hits in six innings of work while Edwards tossed a scoreless seventh to preserve the win. Memphis continues its seven-game homestand with a two-game midweek series versus Middle Tennessee. The first game with the Blue Raiders is set for Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Nat Buring.

04/25/04		Memphis competes at Murray State Twilight -- Lady Tiger freshman continue to progress, Myklebust wins discus (GoTigersGo.com)
		MURRAY, Ky.-The University of Memphis competed at the Murray State Twilight this weekend. The Lady Tigers sent their entire squad while the men sent their throwers and jumpers to the meet. Freshman Michel Wilson ran a personal best 4:54.97 in the 1500m to place third. Her previous personal best in the event was 5:00.32 that she ran at the Bulldog Invitational on March 27. Nora Nemere placed fifth in the 1500m with a time of 5:06.31. Freshman Kara Cassel won the 5000m with a time of 19:46.31 and teammate freshman Mary Claire Dake placed second in the event with a time of 19:54.47. Sue-Ann Bowen, whom normally competes in the 400m, entered the 100m and 200m this weekend and placed fifth in the 100m with a time of 12.60 and seventh in the 200m with a time of 25.55. Lady Tiger distance runners Ali Baker and Becca McMahon also tested their abilities as sprinters as each entered the 200m. Baker ran a 27.23 (20th) and McMahon ran a 28.04 (23rd) in the race. Lindsay Cade won the high jump competition with a mark of 1.63m. Her mark of 1.63m is a 2004 personal best. Freshman Camillia Lucas placed fifth in the 100m hurdles with a time of 1:05.42. In Men's action, Gaute Myklebust won the discus throw with a mark of 57.16m. Myklebust was a last minute entry as he originally planned to compete at the Drake Relays before deciding to make the trip to Murray, Ky. Freshman Darius Frye placed third in the discus (47.39m) and Norbert Gulyas placed fourth (47.18m). Gulyas won the shot put competition with a mark of 15.40m. Frye placed third in the event with a mark of 14.09m. Jumper Janon Busby won the high jump by clearing 1.98m. Competing unattached, former Lady Tiger, now student assistant coach Keenan Gibson, won the 100m dash with a time of 12.12. Gibson became the first Memphis female athlete to compete in the NCAA Championships in 2003 when she qualified in the 100m and 200m. Lisa-Marie Hyman placed second in the triple jump with a regional qualifying mark of 12.49m. However, Hyman has chosen to sit out the outdoor season and is not eligible for the postseason. Memphis will compete at the Ole Miss Invite next weekend in its final tune-up before the C-USA Outdoor Championships in Louisville, Ky.

04/24/04		Tiger Baseball Versus USF Postponed For Second Straight Day -- The Tigers and Bulls to play doubleheader Sunday starting at 10 a.m. at Nat Buring Stadium (GoTigersGo.com)
		Memphis, Tenn. - For the second consecutive day, rain caused the postponement of Memphis' Conference USA contest versus USF. The Tigers and Bulls will attempt to salvage the series with a doubleheader on Sunday at Nat Buring Stadium. First pitch for game one of the twinbill is set for 10 a.m. with the nightcap following.

04/24/04		Pro talk is bogus, dad says -- Fla. prep star still coming (Commercial Appeal)
		By Gary Parrish Contact April 24, 2004 Darius Washington Sr. woke up Friday, grabbed the Orlando Sentinel and was as surprised as everybody else. According to the newspaper, his son is considering entering the NBA Draft. According to him, that's not true. "They took one quote with me talking about 'the next level' and ran with it," said Washington, whose son, 6-foot guard Darius Washington Jr., has signed with the University of Memphis. "I'm giving you my word as a parent that my son is not turning pro. The next level for Darius is Memphis and to play for coach (John) Cal ipari. He will be in Memphis at the beginning of June to enroll in summer classes and he's going to play for coach Calipari next year." So Tiger fans can relax. If Washington's word is good, the U of M's top recruit will actually enroll this time, unlike last year when Kendrick Perkins turned pro, and unlike the year before when Qyntel Woods turned pro. But that kind of proclamation probably won't kill the speculation that revolves around Washington's recent transfer from Orlando Edgewater High to IMG Academy and was fueled by the Orlando Sentinel's headline reading, "Washington taking stock of NBA hopes: After transferring from Edgewater to a private school, Florida's Mr. Basketball may turn pro." As The Commercial Appeal previously reported, Washington left Edgewater after participating in the McDonald's All-American game and is finishing his curriculum at IMG, a boarding school and training facility for elite athletes in Bradenton, Fla. There, Washington is receiving high-level instruction and could earn college credits, which is why his family said he moved. The Orlando Sentinel, however, speculated Friday that Washington might have transferred to avoid having to pass the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, a prerequisite to earning a diploma at a public school in that state. Private schools do not require the test be passed. The Commercial Appeal asked Darius Washington Sr. and his wife, Tarchelle Washington, about the FCAT last week. Both denied the connection then and did so again Friday. "(The Orlando Sentinel) is just speculating, and I've said that's not true," Washington Sr. said. "There's so many people who think they know why Darius is at IMG, but it's all just speculation. He is fully qualified and ready to play at Memphis, and that's what's important. "He's coming to Memphis." - Gary Parrish: 529-2365

04/24/04		Tiger football gets 2nd national ESPN slot (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact April 24, 2004 The University of Memphis football team, which had one scheduled nationally televised game set for next fall, added another Friday. School officials announced that the team's home game against Southern Mississippi will be carried by ESPN on Friday, Nov. 12. ESPN previously informed the Tigers that their home game against Louisville - on either Nov. 3 or 4 - would be shown. It is believed to be the first time in the program's history it has had back-to-back games carried nationally. A third game - the Tigers' regular-season finale at South Florida - also could be shown on ESPN. "I don't know of another school in this area that can say it's playing two, and maybe three, games on ESPN," said Tigers coach Tommy West. "I think it's great to have two nationally televised home games." Memphis ended last season by playing a nationally televised game: the New Orleans Bowl. The Tigers finished 9-4, their first winning season since 1994 and their first bowl season since 1971. The team's turnaround has attracted ESPN's cameras, in addition to the emergence of standout running back DeAngelo Williams, Conference USA's reigning offensive player of the year, and a high-powered offense led by quarterback Danny Wimprine, the New Orleans Bowl MVP. Although the Louisville game will be played on either a Wednesday or a Thursday, the Southern Miss game is set for Friday night, which creates a conflict with high school football. The game will be played the same night as the early rounds of the prep football playoffs. West said he didn't agree to move the game from Saturday to Friday night without consulting 35 area high school coaches, 30 of whom backed the move. "Our staff split up the schools and called high school coaches for a whole day," West said. "We explained the situation to them. I feel this is a very sensitive issue and every coach in this area knows how we feel about high school football. "If the feedback had been 'Don't do it' then we wouldn't have done it. And I meant it." Wayne Weedon, the MIAA director of athletics, said he didn't have a problem with the Tigers playing on a Friday night. He said he called six coaches when told of the possibility of the Tigers-USM game being carried by ESPN on a Friday night. Each of the six he called said they had no problem with the conflict. - Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543

04/24/04		Tiger Notes -- Athletic Department, Basketball, Golf, Baseball, Rifle, Track, Soccer (Commercial Appeal)
		By Gary Parrish and Phil Stukenborg Contact April 24, 2004 Naming program a hit Rose shells out $100,000 for Johnson's office R. C. Johnson had breakfast Friday with Mike Rose. By the time it was over the athletic department was $100,000 richer, and the naming rights to Johnson's office had been sold. ''He told me he was going to buy my office for $100,000,'' Johnson said. ''So you know what I said? I told him I'd pay for breakfast.'' All jokes aside, the donation is a huge step for the U of M and the biggest single donation of the Naming Right Legacy Campaign that began in February and is chaired by former Shelby County mayor Bill Morris. Thus far Johnson said the athletic department has raised about $500,000 by selling the naming rights to various offices and buildings on campus. The goal is to reach $10 million. Lady Tigers add post... The Lady Tiger basketball program announced Friday that Jamie Bradley, a 6-2 post player from Northern Oklahoma College, has signed a national letter of intent to play for the U of M next season. Bradley helped Northern Oklahoma to the Division 2 Junior College National Championship game. She averaged nine points and seven rebounds and helped Northern Oklahoma to a 22-10 record. ''She is a solid rebounder and she's very aggressive around the glass,'' coach Joye Lee-McNelis said. ...but lose guard Lee-McNelis also announced that reserve guard Ashley Dixon will not return next season. Dixon informed Lee-McNelis she would enroll at the University of Arkansas next fall ''to become a regular student.'' She will not play basketball for the Lady Razorbacks. Dixon, a freshman, said she enjoyed her year with the U of M, although she seldom played. Dixon appeared in 10 games and averaged 2.1 points. ''I just want to enjoy more campus life, more student life,'' Dixon, an Arkansas native, said. ''But I'll miss everything here.'' Golfers honored Seniors David Jeans and Alan Weant have earned spots on the C-USA All-Conference Team. Jeans, a four-year letterman, was named to the second team after averaging 72.37 strokes per round during 11 events this season. He also had three top 10 finishes. Weant, named to the all-conference team as a junior, averaged 73.13 strokes and won the individual title in the Tigers' dual match against Mississippi State. Baseball rainout   Heavy rains Friday forced the postponement of Friday's C-USA game between Memphis and South Florida at Nat Buring Stadium. The game will be made up today as part of a doubleheader beginning at noon. Rifle signing University of Memphis rifle coach Butch Woolbright announced the signing of gold medalist Krissey Bahnsen to a for the 2004-05 season. Bahnsen is a stellar shooter from Forest Grove, Ore., who recently won the gold medal in the National Guard meet held in Bisley, England. Senior honors Senior athletes were honored at the 23rd M Club senior luncheon where Lisa-Marie Hyman and Frederik Kolderup received the top student-athlete awards. The Scholar Athlete of the Year award went to golf team member Kolderup, who has a 3.62 grade point average in management information systems and will graduate in December. The M Club Female Scholar Athlete of the Year award was presented to Hyman of the Lady Tiger track team. Hyman has received her bachelor's degree in mathematical science, which she completed in three years. She is pursuing her master's degree in statistics and will graduate in the spring of 2005. Senior soccer forward Veronica Ruiz received the Elma Roane Award as the female student-athlete who possesses drive, enthusiasm and determination plus having a concern for others.

04/23/04		Tiger Baseball Game With USF Postponed -- The Tigers and Bulls will play a doubleheader Saturday starting at Noon at Nat Buring Stadium (GoTigersGo.com)
		Memphis, Tenn. - The Conference USA baseball series opener between USF and Memphis has been postponed due to inclement weather and will be made up as part of a doubleheader Saturday. First pitch for game one is set for Noon at Nat Buring Stadium with game two following its conclusion. The Tigers (18-16, 7-8 C-USA) are a game back of the Bulls (26-13, 7-8 C-USA) in the C-USA standings heading into this weekend's play. The teams have split their eight previous series since the league's inception in 1996.

04/23/04		Tiger Football Game With Southern Miss Changes Dates -- Game to be aired on ESPN (GoTigersGo.com)
		After posting a 9-4 record and a victory in the 2003 New Orleans Bowl, the Memphis Tiger football team has become a hot prospect for televised football games during the fall of 2004. As previously announced, the Tigers' game with the University of Louisville, slated for the weekend of November 6, will be moved to either Wednesday night, November 3 or Thursday evening, November 4 for ESPN. Now the sports programming network has notified U of M athletic director R.C. Johnson that it would like for the Tigers to move their home game with the University of Southern Mississippi to Friday evening, November 12 for another nationally televised game on ESPN. "We are pleased that ESPN has elected to give the University of Memphis and Conference USA additional exposure for our football programs," said Johnson. "Coach West and I were both concerned about the game being moved to a night designated for area high school football playoffs but the opportunity to gain more attention for our program and the conference was certainly important as well." When ESPN first indicated an interest in airing the game, West took the time to call 36 high school coaches in the Mid-South region. "I talked with 36 prep coaches and 31 told me that I would be crazy not to play the game on national television," West stated. "The other five coaches said they did not like the competition but understood that we need the game to help build our program. We have even talked with Wayne Weedon (athletic director for the Memphis City School System) to see about the possibility of moving the high school playoffs to Saturday night for this one conflict in dates. "This is not an every year occurrence nor would we consider changing a November game every season," West concluded. "But I also think that the area high school football players will appreciate the fact that when they come to Memphis to continue their playing careers, they will be on television on a regular basis." It was also announced that ESPN had expressed the possibility of moving the Tigers' game with South Florida from Saturday, November 27 to Friday, November 26. That decision will not be made until later in the season

04/23/04		Tiger Senior Athletes Honored at M Club Luncheon -- Veronica Ruiz presented the Elma Roane Award (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, TENN. - University of Memphis senior athletes were honored at the 23rd Annual M Club Senior Luncheon, while Lisa-Marie Hyman and Frederik Kolderup received the top student-athlete awards. The M Club is the support organization of all athletes from the U of M who have lettered in a varsity sport and/or support group such as athletic training, equipment managers, etc. The president of the M Club for 2004 is former football player Damon Young, who lettered from 1985-88. Each coach presented their senior student-athletes with a certificate to commemorate their dedication and commitment to the U of M. The Male Scholar Athlete of the Year Award was then presented to Frederik Kolderup who is a member of the Tiger Golf team. Kolderup has a 3.62 grade point average in management information systems, and will graduate in December 2004. He has had seven semesters with a 3.0 GPA or better and has been listed on the Dean's List five semesters. He has also been a member of the Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll all four years, and is a member of the Tiger 3.0 Club. The M Club Female Scholar Athlete of the Year Award was presented to Lisa-Marie Hyman of the Lady Tiger Track team. Hyman has already received her bachelor's degree in mathematical science, which she completed in just three years. She is currently pursuing her master's degree in statistics, and will graduate in Spring of 2005. Hyman, who was named the C-USA Scholar Athlete of the Year for track in 2003, had four semesters during her undergraduate studies with a 4.0 GPA. She has been on the Dean's List six semesters, and listed on the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll four years. An avid community service leader, Hyman is a SAAC representative and has assisted with organizing food and toy drives. Senior soccer forward Veronica Ruiz received one of the highest honors a female athlete at the U of M can earn. The Elma Roane Award, which is named after the pioneer of women's athletics at Memphis, is presented to the female student-athlete who possesses drive, enthusiasm and determination while maintaining a concern for others. Ruiz was selected for the award by a committee, which interviewed each nominee. Also nominated were Heather Watts (volleyball), Princess Swilley (women's basketball), Jennifer Jaszek (women's golf) and Marlene Dirnstorfer (women's tennis).

04/23/04		Lady Tiger Basketball Adds Fourth Signee -- Jamie Bradley to join Lady Tigers from Northern Oklahoma College (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, TENN. - University of Memphis women's basketball coach Joye Lee-McNelis announced today the signing of junior college standout Jamie Bradley to a National Letter of Intent for the 2004-05 season. A 6-2 forward, Bradley joins the Lady Tigers after spending the last two years at Northern Oklahoma College where she played for coach Scott Morris. This past year, Bradley led Northern Oklahoma to a 22-10 overall record, and a second-place showing in the Bi-State Conference. "I am very happy that Jamie has chosen to continue her collegiate career at the University of Memphis," said McNelis. "She is a strong rebounder and a great defender who should fill a need for us right away. We have not had someone who could consistently defend the post lately, and that is one thing that we are expecting Jamie to help us out with." This past season, Bradley averaged nine points and seven rebounds a game. She scored a season-high 14 points and hauled in a season-best 13 rebounds against Rose State. The fifth all-time leading rebounder at Northern Oklahoma, Bradley was named a Bi-State West Honorable Mention pick. As a freshman, she helped lead her squad to a conference championship and a 23-10 record. A native of Kansas City, Mo., Bradley graduated from Paseo Academy of the Fine and Performing Arts in 2002. While at Paseo, Bradley was the team captain of her squad, and named MVP under head coach Kenneth Spesse. She led her team to a first-place showing in the National Youth Basketball Conference, as well as in the Show Me Games. As a prep senior, she averaged 15.0 points and 9.0 rebounds a game. She scored a career-high 22 points against Olathe Christian, and was named first-team all-conference. Also while at Paseo, she received three first-place gold keys from the Scholastic Competition, and has placed first and second in Coraphic Design in the Technology Expo. She also was a member of the debate team, the National Honor Roll and Who's Who Among American High School Students. A four-year letterwinner in basketball, Bradley also lettered two seasons in volleyball at Paseo.

04/23/04		Krissey Bahnsen to Join Tiger Rifle Squad -- Gold medalist is one of the top shooters in Oregon (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, TENN. - University of Memphis rifle coach Butch Woolbright announced today the signing of gold medalist Krissey Bahnsen to a National Letter of Intent for the 2004-05 season. "I am very excited that Krissey will be joining our program," said Woolbright. "She will be a great addition to a squad that has achieved great things this season. I am looking forward to next year because I am very excited about the level of talent we have returning, and the addition of Krissey will allow us to be even more competitive in years to come." Bahnsen is a stellar shooter from Forest Grove, Ore., who recently won the gold medal in the National Guard meet held in Bisley, England. Bahnsen, who shoots for the Timber Wolves, helped her team advance to the championships in Bisley, England after her squad won the tiebreaker and the championship title in the National Guard Bureau Championship. In the precision individual event, which included two 40-shot standing courses plus a 10-shot final scored in whole numbers, Bahnsen finished second and just two points behind leader Leah Wilcox. Bahnsen is one of the top air rifle and 22 shooters in Oregon, and has been shooting since she was 10 years old. In 2003, she took first at an international match in England, scoring 392 points for top honors out of 17 countries competing. She also has shot in the Junior Olympics twice, placing 19th in 2002, and 20th in 2004.

04/23/04		Tiger athletic department riding wave of all-around success (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact April 23, 2004 University of Memphis football coach Tommy West doesn't buy into the theory. Ask him if his team's memorable run last fall - a rare winning season that ended with the team's first bowl game in 32 years - established momentum for the school's other athletic programs, and he changes the subject. What he can't change are the results. Each of the school's major programs - football, men's and women's basketball and baseball - has taken the Tiger football team's lead. The U of M went 9-4 in football - its first winning season since 1994 - and earned an invitation to the New Orleans Bowl, the program's first postseason game since 1971. What has followed has been one success story after the other. There was another winning men's basketball season under coach John Calipari, highlighted by the team's first second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 1995. During the same time frame the women's basketball program ended a streak of two straight losing seasons, won 21 games and reached the second round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament. And with a month remaining in the baseball season, Tiger coach Dave Anderson has his team poised to snap a two-year losing streak. Behind a solid weekend rotation of righthanders Jarrett Grube, Derek Hankins and Bill Edwards, the Tigers are 18-16 overall and 7-8 in Conference USA play. ''It's been a good year, athletically,'' said West, whose team will be among the favorites to win the Conference USA title in 2004. For athletic director R. C. Johnson, it's been a dream 2003-04 season and a quick turnaround. It was only one year ago that football, women's basketball and baseball were struggling through losing campaigns. ''I've been (involved in athletics) since 1960 and I don't think I've ever had all the programs doing so well in the same (school) year,'' Johnson said. ''When you look at it, we had both basketball programs going to the postseason . . . and winning. We had football going to a bowl game . . . and winning. It's just been a phenomenal year. It's been a great year.'' Johnson attended an annual meeting of the NCAA Management Council in Indianapolis earlier this week and said athletic directors from around the country were stopping to congratulate him on the successes of his various programs. While Johnson is experiencing the across-the-board success in his ninth year at the U of M, other longtime administrators can't recall the last time there has been such an alignment of winning programs. But they know why it has occurred. ''I think we have got more quality coaches than we've had at one time that we've ever had,'' said associate athletic director Lynn Parkes, in her 30th year with the school. West is a former coach at Clemson, where he took those Tigers to four bowl games from 1993 to 1997. Calipari, who took UMass to the Final Four in 1996, led the Tigers to the National Invitation Tournament title in 2002 and to the NCAA Tournament each of the past two years. Lady Tiger basketball coach Joye Lee-McNelis had led her teams to eight postseason appearances. ''Anyone that has been around athletics for a long time can see the signs,'' Parkes said. ''All parts of the puzzle are in place.'' Johnson said the efforts of the athletic department staff and the construction of new training facilites on the south campus have helped too. There have been other successes. Women's volleyball won 30 matches and played in the finals of the Conference USA Tournament. The men's tennis team, which hosted the C-USA Tournament last week, advanced to the tournament semifinals for the first time in the program's history. The men's and women's track teams will send seven athletes to the NCAA Mid-Eastern Regional in Baton Route, La., next month, including thrower Gaute Myklebust, the reigning C-USA Male Track Athlete of the Year. Memphis and Louisville are the only C-USA athletic programs in which the top four sports all have winning records. TCU and Southern Miss likely will finish with three of four, as their baseball teams are virtually guaranteed winning seasons. Although C-USA does not recognize an all-sports champion - in part because not all of its 15 schools play all the major sports - it may consider such an award in two years when the league is expected to have 12 all-sports programs. Johnson said fund-raising efforts for this fiscal year are running at approximately the same pace as last year, but such team successes often pay real dividends. ''We have always tried to sell the program, not their successes, because the needs are the same every year,'' Johnson said. ''But it's a lot easier to go out into the community after years like this. There is a better environment and attitude.'' - Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543

04/23/04		Tigers leading Conference-USA in the four major sports (Commercial Appeal)
		School Football MBkb WBkb Baseball* Total 1. Memphis 9-4 22-10 21-10 18-16 70-40 .636 2. TCU 11-2 12-17 25-7 23-15 71-41 .633 3. Louisville 9-4 20-10 20-10 20-17 69-41 .627 4. Southern Miss 9-4 13-15 14-13 30-8 66-40 .622 5. East Carolina 1-11 13-14 14-14 32-6 60-45 .571 6. Houston 7-6 9-18 28-4 17-22 61-50 .549 7. South Florida 7-4 7-20 14-15 26-13 54-52 .509 8. Tulane 5-7 11-17 10-18 27-12 53-54 .495 9. UAB 5-7 22-10 9-19 17-19 53-55 .490 10. Cincinnati 5-7 25-7 15-16 8-28 53-58 .477 * - baseball results through April 21

04/23/04		Lopez leaves Tigers to play pro -- Calipari: 'He will be sorely missed by our program' (Commercial Appeal)
		By Gary Parrish Contact April 23, 2004 A University of Memphis freshman basketball player is turning pro. Before you panic, understand it's not Conference USA Freshman of the Year Sean Banks. "Ivan (Lopez) made solid contributions for us this past season,'' Tiger coach John Calipari said while announcing the departure of the Puerto Rican big man. "He is in good academic standing at the university, but Ivan feels that this in an opportunity he could not pass up." A 6-8 banger, Lopez is leaving the U of M to play in a professional league in Spain, giving up on a college career that was steady yet short-lived. Lopez played in 28 of 30 games this past season and started 12. He averaged 3.7 points and 2.9 rebounds, including a career-high 10 points against Tennessee-Martin in a December win at The Pyramid. "Ivan played the game with passion and desire," Calipari said. "He will be sorely missed by our program." Lopez's departure means the Tigers now have 14 players committed to scholarships next season, which is still one above the maximum allowed. Memphis has signed a recruiting class of six prospects, but it's unclear if all six will enroll even though it appears the NCAA rule prohibiting such will be discarded next week. Any of the six not enrolling would drop the Tigers to compliance level. - Gary Parrish: 529-2365

04/23/04		Tiger Notes -- Golf, Football, Basketball, Baseball, Tennis (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact April 23, 2004 Women's golf coach candidates teed up Sarah Burkhead, an assistant who works with the Austin Peay women's golf program, and Jenny Brunn, an assistant women's golf coach at Campbell University in North Carolina, will be the first two candidates interviewed for the vacant University of Memphis women's golf coaching position. Burkhead will interview today and Brunn, a former University of Minnesota player, is scheduled to go through the process Tuesday and Wednesday. Former Lady Tiger golfer Abby More, who completed her college golf career in 2003, also has applied. She served as a volunteer assistant to women's interim coach Donna Noonan this spring. The U of M women's program is seeking a replacement for Sheryl Maize, who was named coach two years ago but missed this season to tend to a family matter. Maize informed U of M associate athletic director Lynn Parkes last month that she would not be returning. The U of M moved quickly to advertise for the opening and start the process of finding the program's fifth coach in five years. Parkes would like to have a new coach named by early next month. ''Obviously, we'd like to find somebody who has some experience at the college level, whether it's coaching or playing,'' Parkes said. ''And it's certainly an asset if they have a good teaching background.'' Parkes said because of the unique nature of Maize's resignation - and the unrest the past few years - she'll allow the players to be part of the interview process. ''The players will have an opportunity to visit with the candidate,'' Parks said. ''I think it's important for them because they have been through a lot. It's important that they be part of the project.'' Nationwide plan Does a high-scoring, entertaining spread offense attract some of the nation's top passing quarterbacks? It's a theory the Tiger coaching staff would like to test. With starting quarterback Danny Wimprine and backup Bobby Robison entering their senior seasons, the Tigers look as if they'll expand their recruiting base and attempt to lure nationally regarded quarterbacks to Memphis. Earlier this month the Tigers began moving in that direction. They received an unofficial visit from quarterback Jonathan Garner of Mainland High in Delray Beach, Fla. Garner (6-5, 210) led his team to the Florida 5A state title in December and threw for more than 2,600 yards his junior and senior seasons. He is interested in Stanford, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, South Florida and Memphis. One recruiting service said Garner considers Memphis and Stanford at the top of his list. While making his trip to Memphis, Garner also made an unofficial stop at Ole Miss and attended the Rebels' spring game. Garner's interest in Memphis is genuine. Garner's mom, Sandy, was a standout volleyball player for the Tigers from 1977 to 1980. Going camping The Joye Lee-McNelis basketball camps will begin June 4 and run through June 19 at the Elma Roane Field House and the Finch Center. A team camp will be held June 4-5 for junior varsity and varsity high school programs, a fundamental camp follows June 7-10 for girls age 7 through high school and an elite camp June 11-12 is for advanced girls players age 14 and older. The sessions end with an offensive skills camp June 17-19 for girls 11 and older. Deadline for the team camp in May 1, and deadline for the fundamental and elite camps is May 14. The offensive skills camp deadline is May 20. For more information, call 678-4120. Odds and ends After losing two nonconference games at Mississippi State, the Tiger baseball team will return to Nat Buring Stadium for a three-game series against South Florida beginning at 7 tonight. The teams will play at 2 p.m. Saturday and at 1 p.m. Sunday . . . The U of M and Champion Awards are hosting the Lady Tiger Tennis Bass Tournament Saturday at Sardis Lake. The on-site entry fee is $125 per boat. . . . Tiger football coach Tommy West said receiver Ryan Scott, who was suspended for most of spring workouts for ''failing to take care of his academic responsibilities,'' has been re-instated. West said he was ''very excited at how Ryan took care of his business; he learned from the suspension and did everything I asked.''

04/23/04		Where are they now: Wade Smith, Tiger football 1999-02 (Commercial Appeal)
		It's NFL Draft weekend, which brings back pleasant memories for former Tiger offensive lineman Wade Smith. Smith, who spent most of his career as a tight end, moved to the offensive line his junior season and quickly established himself as the team's best lineman. After his senior season, he was taken in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. At Miami, he did what few rookie linemen do: He earned a starting job at left tackle and started each of the team's 16 games. "It was a good overall season," Smith said. "I had a lot of ups and a couple of downs, but that's just life in the NFL. I dealt with a lot of issues that are hard when you are 22 years old. "All I can say is I learned a lot. And I realized I could play in this league." Apparently the Dolphins thought so. In fact, Miami is revamping its offensive line to create more running room for star running back Ricky Williams in 2004. Smith is the lone returning starter. He said he learned last year that "character guys flourish in this league because there are a lot of things that can get you off focus, get you distracted." "Actually, the football isn't that different from college," he said. "But the mental aspect at the pro level is a huge difference." Asked to recall NFL Draft day last April, Smith said he had an idea that he would go either late in the second round or in the third. "If it had gotten past the third round, I would have sweated," Smith said. "I wasn't nervous that day, but I was around a lot of friends and family. That helped keep my nerves down. "But when the draft got to the beginning of the third round my heartbeat started getting faster. Then a couple of picks went by where I thought I should have been taken." Smith has settled outside Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., with his wife, former Lady Tiger basketball player Rita Beckwith. The couple is expecting their first child in September. "I think we played against one another a couple of times back when I was getting ready for the draft," Smith said. "I can't remember the score, but I beat her. It was pretty close. I had to use my inside moves. "But I can't jump shoot with her. If we played horse 50 times, I'd win, maybe, five times." - Phil Stukenborg

04/23/04		Five questions with Tony Barbee, Assistant men's basketball coach (Commercial Appeal)
		Q: So it appears the NCAA is doing away with the 5-8 rule, which prohibited men's basketball programs from bringing in more than five scholarship-players each year or eight in any two years. Word is now the number of scholarships a school can award per year will be based somewhat on graduation rates. Is this is a positive? A: It's positive as long as it's equitable for everybody. You can't hold an Ivy League school to the same standard of a public university, and vice versa. There has to be equitable standards for the situation you're in, and then it'll be good. Q: Some believe this will encourage academic fraud because now more than ever it will be important for coaches to graduate players. Is that a legitimate concern? A: If you're going to cheat, you're going to cheat. And if you're not going to cheat, you're not going to cheat. That's how it's been, and I think that's how it's always going to be. Q: What was with the 5-8 rule, anyway? Why did it even exist to begin with? A: The rule was put into place to eliminate available scholarships and keep programs from either running off kids who didn't end up being as good as they thought or to keep kids from transferring. Well, that didn't happen. If you didn't want a kid, you were moving him. And if a kid wasn't happy with his situation, he was leaving. It wasn't having the effect they wanted. They've realized they made a mistake, and now they're going to change it. Q: For some programs, it was a huge burden. I read about a coach who wasn't allowed a waiver for the 5-8 rule even though his player was killed in a car crash. Why wasn't more common sense used? A: Well, when you look at the NCAA rulebook there's not a whole lot of common sense. But the book is there because people don't follow the rules, so there's a rule for that rule and a rule for the next rule. It's in place because, like I said before, there are some people who don't have strong character, so they're going to do what they have to do. Q: So assuming this goes into effect at the end of the month, you guys could in theory bring in all six recruits, where before you couldn't have, right? A: Yeah, but we still couldn't pass the 13 scholarships (for a given team). The standard now will be the 13 scholarships, which is a level playing field. Now everybody every year will have an opportunity to have 13 kids on scholarship. Even if people leave, you can always get back to 13. And that's fair. - Gary Parrish

04/22/04		Nemeth places third in steeplechase at Penn Relays -- Runs best time in C-USA and second best time in Mid-Eastern Region (GoTigersGo.com)
		PHILADELPHIA-Senior Tiger distance runner Mate Nemeth placed third in the 3000m Steeplechase at the Penn Relays Thursday night as he represented the University of Memphis on one of track & field's grandest stages. Nemeth ran an 8:50.95 in the event, 14 seconds better than his 2004 personal best time of 9:04.13 that he ran at the Sea Ray Relays on April 10. N.C. State's Andy Smith won the race with a time of 8:43.20 and Ohio State's Brian Olinger narrowly edged Nemeth for second place with a time of 8:50.02. Nemeth's time is the best turned in by any runner in the event in C-USA this year, a full 23 seconds better than the next best time in the conference. His time ranks second in the Mid-Eastern Region and 11th in the nation in 2004 as of April 22. Nemeth won the 3000m Steeplechase at the 2003 Penn Relays and the 2003 C-USA Outdoor Championships. He went on to compete at the 2003 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the event where he placed 12th. Nemeth, a native of Szekszard, Hungary, is qualified for the 2004 NCAA Mid-Eastern Regional in the steeplechase and hopes to advance to the NCAA Championships again in 2004. Several other Memphis Tigers will compete at the Penn Relays on Friday and Saturday. The 110-year old meet is hosted by the University of Pennsylvania at Franklin Field. The 2004 meet has 22,000 competitors and is expected to draw over 100,000 spectators. 3000m Steeplechase Finals (College Men) 1 8:43.20 Andy Smith North Carolina State 2 8:50.02 Brian Olinger Ohio State 3 8:50.95 Mate Nemeth Memphis 4 8:52.81 Steve Zieminski Florida 5 8:53.16 Kurt Michaelis Youngstown State 6 8:54.80 Terah Kipchivis Coastal Carolina 7 8:55.27 Lucas Meyer Yale 8 8:59.15 Jessee Rappole North Carolina 9 9:00.72 Emory Mort Cornell 10 9:01.60 Tim Kelly Tennessee 11 9:02.32 Nolan Taylor Minot State 12 9:06.75 Travis McKay Mississippi State 13 9:06.77 Alfred Korir Fairleigh Dickinson 14 9:17.42 Aaron Smead Army 15 9:19.32 Matt Sweetman Indiana 16 9:21.01 Ryan Maynard Columbia 17 9:23.38 Carlos Arrizon Louisiana Tech 18 9:34.18 Billy Buckenmeyer Lock Haven DNF = Adam Perkins Arkansas; Denis Storojev North Florida

04/22/04		Tigers Place Two Golfers On All-Conference USA Team -- David Jeans and Alan Weant receive postseason honors for Memphis (GoTigersGo.com)
		Tiger golf seniors David Jeans and Alan Weant have been named to the 2004 All-Conference Golf Team. Jeans was selected to the second team, while Weant was picked as a third team member. Jeans, a four-year letterman, averaged 72.37 strokes per round during 11 tournaments played this season and posted three top ten finishes in competition. The Alabama native tied for second in the Charlie Matlock Collegiate Classic for his highest finish of the 2003-04 campaign. Weant, who was named to the All-CUSA Team as a junior, averaged 73.13 strokes per outing and led Memphis to victory as he won the individual title in the Memphis vs. Mississippi State Dual Match. Earlier, he tied for fourth in the Louisville Cardinal Intercollegiate.

04/22/04		Ivan Lopez To Leave Tiger Program For Overseas Professional League -- Memphis forward averaged 3.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in 2003-04 (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Tiger head coach John Calipari announced Thursday that Ivan Lopez, a freshman on the 2003-04 squad, will leave the University of Memphis to play in a professional basketball league in Spain. "Ivan made solid contributions for us this past season," said Calipari. "He is in good academic standing at the university, but Ivan feels that this is an opportunity he could not pass up. Ivan played the game with passion and desire, and he will be sorely missed by our program." Lopez played in 28 of the Tigers' 30 games this season, getting the starting nod 12 times. The 6-foot-8, 236-pound forward averaged 3.7 points and 2.9 rebounds, while shooting 50 percent from the field. Lopez scored a career-high 10 points against Tennessee-Martin Dec. 3 and Oakland Dec. 29 and grabbed a career-best 13 boards versus Houston Jan. 24. The Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, native proved to be a clutch performer in big games for the Tigers, coming up with big rebounds and timely baskets in home wins over Missouri and Louisville and road victories at TCU and East Carolina. Lopez received the team's Hustle Award at the squad's postseason awards banquet last Sunday.

04/22/04		Tiger Notes -- Baseball, Golf, Track (Commercial Appeal)
		By From Our Press Services April 22, 2004 MSU holds off Tigers for win With Mississippi State leading the University of Memphis 7-2 in the top of the sixth inning on Wednesday night, a transformer within 100 yards of the left field wall behind Dudy Noble Field in Starkville, Miss., blew, causing an immediate power outage. The game was officially called after an hour and five-minute delay while technicians attempted to fix the problem. The game will be official after an agreement by both head coaches. Each team had 10 hits in the contest, but the Bulldogs were able to do more with their opportunities. MSU (24-14) first baseman Brad Jones went 2-for-3 with a homer and three RBI while catcher Craig Tatum was 3-for-3 with an RBI. Third baseman Bill Moss led Memphis (18-16) with a 3-for-3 effort at the plate. Lady Tigers eighth: The University of Memphis women's golf team shot 337 in the final round of play and finished eighth at the Conference USA Women's Golf Championship in Fort Worth. Lillian Alvarez of Tulane shot even par 72 in the finals to win medalist honors. Memphis senior Jennifer Jaszek finished her career tied for 16th with a total of 247. Tulane also won the team honors with a score of 941. TCU was second at 959. Tigers eighth: The University of Memphis men's golf team shot 289 in the final round and climbed into a tie for eighth at the Conference USA Golf Championships in Dade City, Fla. TCU won the team title for the third straight year with a team score of five-under 859. Memphis senior Alan Weant shot 2-over par 74 to tie for seventh. Weant led all Tiger golfers with a 54-hole total score of 219. Adam Meyers of TCU was medalist with a 54-hole total score of 10-under par 206. Tiger at Penn Relays: University of Memphis senior Mate Nemeth, who won the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Penn Relays last year with a time of 8:49.92, is headed back to Philadelphia. Today, Nemeth, a native of Szekszard, Hungary, is scheduled to compete in the same event. The Penn Relays is one of the largest meets in the country.

04/22/04		By Phil Stukenborg Contact April 22, 2004 They'll be nervous. Eric Taylor and Derrick Ballard, two physical, intimidating, hard-hitting football players, aren't afraid to admit they may be brought to their knees. Taylor, who played defensive end for the University of Memphis last season, said he'll attempt to distance himself from the anxiety-filled reality TV show called the NFL Draft by spending a portion of Saturday doing something other than watching live coverage of the event. He'll help run a youth football clinic at Kirby High. Ballard, who played defensive back at the U of M, said he'll relax with friends in his hometown of Atlanta. He said he doesn't want to be ''glued to the TV watching pick by pick.'' ''I kind of want to be outside and have my (cell) phone on me and get that call,'' he said. ''I don't want to be waiting and anticipating.'' The NFL Draft, which begins Saturday and spans two days, will determine how Taylor and Ballard spend their first year away from college football. Taylor is expected to be a mid-round pick. Ballard is likely to go in the late rounds. They have been following the ascent - in the war rooms of NFL teams and draft boards of league analysts - that former Tiger offensive lineman Wade Smith enjoyed last year. After finishing his final season at the U of M, Smith wasn't highly regarded. He was seen as an undersized lineman who might go in the late rounds. But as he went through the battery of individual workouts and tests administered by NFL personnel, his stock rose. On draft day, he was selected in the third round by the Miami Dolphins. It was the highest a Memphis offensive lineman had been chosen in the NFL Draft since Jeff Walker was taken in the third round of the 1986 draft by the San Diego Chargers. Could Taylor, who also played defensive tackle, go from not being listed in the official NFL pre-draft publication to a fourth- or fifth-round pick? ''One of the things that Eric has working to his advantage is that the 3-4 (defensive) scheme is becoming more and more prevalent throughout the league,'' said Brian Parker, the Memphis-based agent for Taylor, Ballard and Smith. ''Another thing working in his favor is the fact he has played every position across the front during his career at Memphis. Teams like the fact they'll be able to plug him into different holes.'' Taylor has traveled to Seattle and Pittsburgh for individual workouts. The New York Jets came to Memphis to conduct another. He said he was seen by the Dallas Cowboys when they came in to work out Ballard. The Houston Texans also came to Memphis to run Ballard through aworkout. Those workouts, Smith recalls, are what separate the NFL Draft haves from the have-nots. ''I remember telling Brian that I knew that big Eric had what it takes to be playing in this league,'' said Smith, who not only made the Miami roster, but started all 16 games at offensive tackle. ''He has all the tools. And then I hear he runs a 4.2 in the pro shuttle. And if you are over 300 pounds and can do that, it's great. ''Last year, I was running 4.5s, and that was great. For the scouts, a time like that is an eyebrow raiser. He just needs an opportunity. That's what it is about guys coming out of Memphis. A lot of scouts looked at us as a second-tier school. But when teams give us a chance to play at that level - look at Reggie Howard and Artis Hicks (recent free agent signees from the U of M) - we perform.'' Taylor, a member of the Conference USA second team, was one of two Tiger defensive linemen who had 10 tackles for lost yardage last season. He also returned an interception 52 yards for a touchdown in a key C-USA win at Louisville. He said the Steelers told him he'd go either in the fourth or fifth round. ''The draft is such an inexact science, it's difficult to predict what will happen on draft day,'' Parker said. ''But I believe that teams evaluate prospects in different categories and when it comes to height, weight, speed, character, consistency and smarts, Eric fits well under all six of those categories. He is very similar to how Wade was last year in that his work ethic throughout this whole process has been tremendous.'' Taylor said it was somewhat discouraging about a month ago when his name wasn't appearing on mock NFL Drafts and he wasn't getting calls from scouts. ''But in these last few weeks, things have really picked up,'' he said. Dean Lotz, who runs Dean Lotz Personal Fitness Training on Winchester, said Taylor has made an impression during individual workouts. ''Scouts do a lot of reaction drills, a lot of pursuit drills,'' Lotz said. ''And they want to know how quick your hand movements are on a pass rush. Eric has improved tremendously on his hand movements. I asked Eric how would he like to go back now and play his senior year with what he can do now.'' Parker said Ballard, a playmaker who had 91 tackles, two interceptions and two blocked kicks last year, also will benefit from more teams going to the 3-4 scheme. Ballard has played outside linebacker and defensive back. ''I've had a half dozen or so teams tell me how much they like his potential coming in as a special teams player and developing into a (weak-side) linebacker,'' Parker said. ''Other teams feel given time to grasp the safety position, he'll make a good strong safety on the next level. What teams like most is he has a lot of upside.'' Ballard said the Cowboys, Chicago Bears, Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers have shown interest, along with the New York Giants. ''The Cowboys want a safety,'' Ballard said. ''They say they need another physical safety who can hit and cover big receivers. They said they like me.'' He said Smith's success has served as a guide and an inspiration for this year's draft. ''He wasn't getting the recognition or draft grade he was supposed to,'' Ballard said. ''What we all found out with Wade was that you don't have to have a first-, second-, third- or fourth-round grade to get drafted early. It made a big impression.'' - Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543
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04/21/04		Power Outage In Starkville Halts Tiger Baseball Game With MSU -- Game called early due to transformer explosion just behind leftfield wall (GoTigersGo.com)
		Starkville, Miss. - With the Tigers trailing Mississippi State 7-2 in the top of sixth, a transformer within 100 yards of the leftfield wall behind Dudy Noble Field blew causing an immediate power outage. The game was officially called after an hour and five-minute delay while technicians attempted to fix the problem. The game will be official after an agreement by both head coaches. Each team had 10 hits in the contest, but the Bulldogs were able to do more with their opportunities. MSU (24-14) first baseman Brad Jones went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs while catcher Craig Tatum went 3-for-3 with a RBI. Third baseman Bill Moss led the Memphis (18-16) offense with a 3-for-3 effort at the plate. The Tigers got off to a quick start banging out four hits in the first inning off MSU starter Eric Ebers to take a 2-0 lead. Shortstop Brent Dlugach drove in the first run with a RBI-groundout and catcher Kurt Welch followed with a RBI-single to right. The Bulldogs scored seven unanswered runs including three in their half of the first to take a 3-2 lead off Memphis starter Michael Novarese. Tatum had a RBI-double and Jones belted a two-run homer in the frame. MSU extended its lead to 5-2 in the second on a RBI-groundout by Jeffrey Rea and a RBI-single by Steve Gendron. In the Bulldog fifth, the first five batters reached as the home team plated a pair of runs on four hits off Novarese and reliever Zach Cook. Jones and Jeff Butts had RBI-singles in the frame. Novarese (1-1) took the loss after allowing seven earned runs on eight hits in four innings of work. MSU reliever Jamie Gant held Memphis scoreless through 2.2 innings despite allowing four hits to the Tigers. Memphis left eight man stranded in the shortened contest. The Tigers return to Memphis for an eight-game home stand beginning with a Conference-USA series this weekend against USF. Game one of that series is set for 7 p .m., Friday at Nat Buring Stadium.

04/21/04		Jennifer Jaszek Has Top Twenty Finish In Final Event Of Her Career -- Lady Tigers Place 8th in Conference USA Championship (GoTigersGo.com)
		Fort Worth, TX - The Memphis Lady Tiger golf team shot 337 in the final round of play and finished in eighth place at the 2004 Conference USA Women's Golf Championship which were played at Shady Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. Lillian Alvarez of Tulane University fired an even par round of 72 in the finals to win medalist honors. Adrienne Millican of East Carolina, who led after two rounds, was overtaken by Alvarez and dropped to second place by a single stroke. Memphis senior Jennifer Jaszek finished her career with a top twenty finish in the championship. Jaszek tied for 16th with a total score of 247. Freshman Kathryn O'Rourke tied for 30th . Tulane University also won the team honors with a score of 941. TCU was second at 959, while South Florida was third with a 970. MEMPHIS INDIVIDUAL SCORES T16 Jennifer Jaszek 85-81-81--247 T30 Kathryn O'Rourke 85-85-87--257 34 Meghan Mahoney 85-92-84--261 37 Cameron Barber 89-91-85--265 41 Ashley Burross 89-91-102--282 TEAM SCORES 1. Tulane 941 2. TCU 959 3. South Florida 970 4. Louisville 976 5. East Carolina 978 T6. UAB 995 Southern Miss 995 8. Memphis 1029 9. Cincinnati 1070

04/21/04		Tigers Move Into Tie For 8th In Final Round Of C-USA Championship -- Alan Weant closes career with a seventh place tie at conference (GoTigersGo.com)
		Dade City, FL - The University of Memphis men's golf team shot 289 in the final round and climbed into a tie for eighth place at the 2004 Conference USA Golf Championships which were held at Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City, Florida. Nationally ranked TCU won the team title for the third consecutive year with a team score of five-under par 859. Memphis senior Alan Weant, who was tied for third entering the final round, shot two over par 74 on the last day to tie for seventh. Weant led all Tiger golfers with a 54-hole total score of 219. Allan Thomas carded a one under par round of 71 and tied for 28th with a score of 224, while David Jeans finished tied for 37th with a total of 227. Adam Meyers of TCU won medalist honors with a 54-hole total score of ten under par 206. Ray Sheedy of Charlotte placed second at 215 and his teammate, Matt Mincer moved into third place with a final round score of 69. Charlotte placed second to TCU in the team competition, while Southern Mississippi was third and UAB fourth. MEMPHIS INDIVIDUAL SCORES T7 Alan Weant 73-72-74--219 T28 Allan Thomas 77-76-71--224 T37 David Jeans 79-76-72--227 T41 Clayton Ellis 79-78-72--229 65 Lewis Clarke 83-77-79--239 TEAM SCORES 1. TCU 286-286-287--859 2. Charlotte 301-286-284--871 3. Southern Miss 298-293-289--880 4. UAB 300-294-288--882 5. South Florida 305-292-288--885 6. Houston 297-307-290--894 7. Tulane 308-293-296--897 8. Memphis 308-301-289--898 Louisville 304-298-296--898 10. Marquette 309-296-297--902 11. East Carolina 305-298-305--908 12. Saint Louis 317-291-302--910 13. Cincinnati 316-312-308--936 14. DePaul 322-318-310--950

04/21/04		Nemeth returns to historic Penn Relays to defend his title -- Myklebust to compete at Drake Relays (GoTigersGo.com)
		PHILADELPHIA-Senior distance runner Mate Nemeth returns to the Penn Relays where last year he highlighted the 2003 season by winning the 3000m Steeplechase with a time of 8:49.92. Nemeth looks to defend his title in 2004. History seems to have repeated itself in Memphis Track & Field. Nemeth was the first Memphis athlete to win an event at the Penn Relays since Ed Hammonds won the 100m dash in 1973. Ironically, that year Hammonds and teammate Lynn Fox who placed second in the 100m were the subjects of a story in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Nemeth will be the focus of a piece written by Ira Joseph in the Philadelphia Inquirer on April 22 leading into the meet. Nemeth will compete in the 3000m steeplechase at 7:45 p.m. Thursday night. Several other Tigers have made the trip to Philadelphia this week. Ivan Williams, Michael Woods, Willie Green and Austin Hunter will compete in the 4x100m Relay. Larry Harris and Preston Taylor will compete in the hurdles; Adam Martin will compete in the shot put; Michael Mentz, Abraham Shaposhnik, Istvan Kerekjarto and Szilard Toth will compete in distance events. The 110th running of the Penn Relays will begin Thursday and run through Saturday at Franklin Field on the University of Pennsylvania campus. This year's meet has over 22,000 competitors and the event expects to attract over 100,000 spectators for the third consecutive year. Results of memphis performances will be available on www.gotigersgo.com. Myklebust to compete at Drake Relays DES MOINES, Iowa-If there is a meet that competes with the Penn Relays in stature, perhaps it's the Drake Relays. Memphis will only send one competitor to the Drake Relays, but the Tigers will certainly be represented well by 2003 C-USA Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year, Gaute Myklebust. Myklebust who is qualified for the NCAA Regional in both the shot put and discus will compete in each event at the meet. Myklebust will test his skill against some of the top throwers in the country. The discus competition will be Friday and the shot put will commence on Saturday.

04/21/04		Lady Tigers set for Murray State Twilight -- Tiger jumpers and throwers to accompany Lady Tigers (GoTigersGo.com)
		Murray, Ky.- The University of Memphis will send several athletes to the Murray State Twilight Invitational this weekend including the entire women's team and three men's throwers and two men's jumpers. The meet will take place Saturday at Roy Stewart Stadium / Marshall Gage Track. The Lady Tiger distance runners had a great meet last weekend at the Vanderbilt Invitational and look to build on that performance this weekend. Led by Ali Baker and emerging freshmen Daniele Riendeau and Kara Cassel, the Lady Tigers will enter many competitors in the meet. Sue-Ann Bowen and Cassandra Harding will continue their quest this weekend to earn an NCAA Regional qualifying mark in the 400m and triple jump respectively. Three-time C-USA Champions Lisa-Marie Hyman will compete unattached in the triple jump. Tigers Janon Busby, Cody Rushing, Norbert Gulyas, Stein Syverson and Darius Frye will alos compete in the men's competition. The meet will begin at 11 a.m. with the field events and continue throughout the day with the final event scheduled to begin at 5:10 p.m. The Twilight will include 11 women's teams and 11 men's teams, while 14 schools will be represented overall including Arkansas State, Austin Peay, Bethel, Evansville, Fisk, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois, Southwest Missouri, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech and Vanderbilt, along with the host Racers.

04/21/04		Women's Tennis Fundraiser Set for Saturday -- Lady Tiger bass fishing tournament set for Sardis Lake, Miss., Saturday (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis women's tennis team will host its annual fundraiser, the University of Memphis & Champion Awards Lady Tiger Tennis Bass Tournament, this Saturday, at Sardis Lake, Miss., at Engineer Point. The fundraiser, which was put in place by Lady Tiger Head Coach Charlotte Peterson, seven years ago. The entry fee for the event is $100 for early registration and $125 for on-site registration. The winning boat will receive $1,400, while second place pays out $600. In all, the tournament has a guaranteed payout of $3,850 for places 1-10. Big fish will pay $150, while no fish will pay $100. For rules and entry forms, please contact Charlotte Peterson at (901) 678-2328.

04/21/04		It's a spring thing: Job opens, and all eyes turn to Calipari (Commercial Appeal)
		By Gary Parrish Contact April 21, 2004 It happened again this year. Like last year. And two years before that, too. As sure as Opening Day and Memphis in May, it's become an annual tradition for this time of the calend