Memphis Tigers News Archives

June 2004

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06/30/04		Experience on side of latest Tiger leader (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact June 30, 2004 Daron Schoenrock was in an ideal situation. Schoenrock, 42, had completed his fifth season as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator under veteran coach Ron Polk, including the last three at Mississippi State. The Bulldogs, a perennial NCAA Tournament participant, had advanced to the NCAA Atlanta Regional, the program's eighth regional in nine years. Then came news that University of Memphis baseball coach Dave Anderson had resigned after four seasons to pursue a return to professional baseball. Schoenrock's interest was piqued. He could brush aside the opportunity to end a lengthy run as a college assistant or submit an application with a resume. Schoenrock applied, made the list of finalists and Tuesday was rewarded. Schoenrock was named the 16th coach in the program's history and a head coach for the second time in his 19-year career. Schoenrock's four-year contract will pay him $70,000 annually. "I was in a very comfortable (situation), a safe environment at Mississippi State," he said. "But (Polk) talked to me about leaving that situation. "He also said, 'You are ready.' He doesn't say that if he doesn't mean it. That was an indication to me he felt I was ready for this job." Schoenrock joined Polk's staff at the University of Georgia in 2000 and followed him to Starkville in 2002 when Polk returned to Mississippi State. Schoenrock's career also has included stops at the University of Kentucky (1998-99) and Birmingham Southern (1990-97). In 1988 and 1989 he had his first exposure as a head coach, guiding Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn. He led Lincoln to a postseason appearance in 1989 and was named Tennessee Valley Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. But Schoenrock joined the Birmingham Southern program the following season and had not been a head coach untilbeing introduced at Tuesday's press conference at the U of M's Athletic Office Building. He said he is much more prepared to lead a program than he was in the late 1980s or when he joined Polk's program in 2000. He said he has gained a tremendous amount of knowledge by working under people like former Kentucky coach Keith Madison, Birmingham Southern's Brian Shoop and Polk. "The development of a total plan for every facet of a program is second to none under coach Polk," Schoenrock said. Tiger athletic director R.C. Johnson, who introduced Schoenrock to a crowd that included several of the area's top prep baseball coaches, said Schoenrock's background gave him the edge over the other finalists: Ole Miss assistant Dan McDonnell and Georgia assistant Butch Thompson. "He has been a head coach," Johnson said. "I always think that is good. And when I sat down with Daron face-to-face, that's when I got a feel for what I'm most comfortable with. I think the committee came back with the same feeling." Polk said he hated to lose Schoenrock, but said his former assistant will be successful if given the proper support from the university. "He is a people person, a very good baseball man and a tireless worker," Polk said. "He has the whole package. I think Memphis has made a wise decision." Schoenrock will face multiple challenges. Memphis hasn't been to the NCAA Tournament since 1994, routinely loses top area talent to Southeastern Conference schools and is in a league - Conference USA - that adds national power Rice in 2006. His roster also was depleted by the major league baseball draft earlier this month as juniors Derek Hankins, Bill Edwards and Brent Dlugach were selected and will not return. In addition, the Tigers' home - Nat Buring Stadium on the U of M's south campus - is an aging, neglected facility. Schoenrock said that is a battle for another day. "I think the first thing is we have to put a good product on the field and see if people will come," he said. "That will be the first order of business. "I don't think it would be fair for me to cry about facilities initially. But that is something in due time we can address." - Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543

06/30/04		Meet Daron Schoenrock (Commercial Appeal)
		Age: 42 Birthplace: Fayetteville, Tenn. Wife: Carol (Cawood) of Harlan, Ky. Children: Erik, 13; Bret, 2. Coaching career: Graduate assistant at Tennessee Tech (1985); graduate assistant at Murray State (1986-87); head coach at Lincoln Memorial University (1988-89); assistant at Birmingham Southern (1990-97); assistant at Kentucky (1998-99); assistant at Georgia (2000-01) and assistant at Mississippi State (2002-04).

06/29/04		Schoenrock Named Memphis Tiger Baseball Coach -- Schoenrock becomes 16th baseball coach in school history (GoTigersGo.com)
		University of Memphis Athletic Director R.C. Johnson announced today that Mississippi State assistant coach Daron Schoenrock will become the 16th baseball coach in school history. Schoenrock (pronounced SHONE-rock) recently completed his third season as an assistant coach on the MSU staff, and his fifth year in association with MSU skipper Ron Polk. His primary responsibilities included coaching Bulldog pitchers and overseeing State's recruiting efforts. Schoenrock was also instrumental in coordinating the activities of the Bulldogs' foster-parent program. Regarded as one of the college baseball's premier pitching coaches, Schoenrock has sent 20 of his pitchers to the professional level; and three Bulldog pitchers were recently taken in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft. He has shared his expertise at numerous baseball coaches' clinics across the nation and has authored a comprehensive textbook on pitching titled "The Total Pitching Program." Prior to joining Polk at MSU, he served as the pitching coach in 2000 and 2001 on the University of Georgia staff. In Athens he developed the Bulldog pitching staff that in 2001 helped boost Georgia to its first SEC championship in 47 years and its first appearance in the NCAA College World Series since 1990. He launched his affiliation with Southeastern Conference baseball in 1998 at the University of Kentucky. He served two seasons on the coaching staff of former MSU baseball staffer Keith Madison, coaching the UK pitchers and catchers and heading up the Wildcats' recruiting program in 1998 and 1999. His coaching expertise gained national acclaim during a highly-successful eight-year coaching stint at Birmingham Southern. His Panther pitchers improved their staff earned run averages each season and helped lead Birmingham Southern to the 1995 NAIA World Series. In the summer that followed, Schoenrock earned a position as the short-season pitching coach for the Chicago White Sox's affiliate in the Appalachian League. Schoenrock was a four-year starting pitcher under Coach David Mays at Tennessee Tech University, launching his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach there in 1985. He continued his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach under ABCA Hall of Famer Johnny Reagan at Murray State University, where he earned a master's degree in 1987. Schoenrock, 42, is married to the former Carol Cawood of Harlan, Ky. They are the parents of two sons, Erik, 12, and Bret, born in June, 2002.

06/29/04		Cal fine after hip surgery -- Crutch to be near all summer (Commercial Appeal)
		By Gary Parrish Contact June 29, 2004 Hard to purchase, easy to get into. If Jaguar wanted to make a slogan describing its cars, that would be a fair one. Which is what made John Calipari's situation so backward. Despite the University of Memphis coach's vehicle being low to the ground and an all-round simple machine to enter, getting in it every day for a couple of years was, to put it mildly, a pain. With his right leg already in, Calipari would have to take both hands and lift his left leg into the car, all while grimacing as though someone had just watched a loose ball go by without diving. It looked like it hurt. It did hurt. That's why hip replacement surgery last month was a necessity even at the young age of 45. "I asked the doctor if it had to be done, and he said, 'Yeah,' " Calipari said. "He told me that he couldn't believe I was still walking. And I said, 'Well, I haven't been walking. I've just been dragging my leg around.' " John Calipari is down to one crutch now. He dropped the other last week, a week early. So, apparently things are going well, following the May 21 surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. The limp Tiger fans had grown accustomed to throughout the past few years is now different and lessening. This one should be gone in about five more months, assuming everything goes as planned. In the meantime, Calipari will spend the majority of this summer on a crutch, in rehab, as one of the estimated 168,000 people in the United States who have hip replacement surgery each year. The procedure is fairly common. Still, there are horror stories. Famed sports writer Dick Schaap had two hip surgeries in his life. The first went fine. The second did not. Schaap died from complications after surgery. And though such an outcome is rare, it was enough to make Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson figure that Calipari was a bit worried about going under the knife. "I thought he was scared because he told me he was scared," Johnson said with a laugh. "Anytime you get any part of your body cut on, there's a tendency to be apprehensive. And then he was up there at the Mayo Clinic, which sort of has an aura about it. It represents the best of the best, but it also means serious. So I think all of that probably weighed on him." Weighed on him? Absolutely. But not as much as the pain that hampered Calipari for the past few years, which is why he opted for the surgery. Among the things that were difficult, if not impossible for the past two years: Sleeping Climbing stairs Jogging Participating in drills And the list goes on endlessly. "I don't think anybody really understands how much pain he was in," Memphis assistant Derek Kellogg said. "He was really a trouper. He fought through things without being able to really sleep. And some days, if he sat down for a long time, he'd really have a hard time even getting up and moving around. "He was hurting." As for how the recovery process will affect Calipari's job, it probably won't too much. He'll recruit the same as always, just on one crutch. He'll be on the road and in the community the same as always, again, just on one crutch. "With the energy level that he has, I can't imagine what would possibly affect his job," Johnson said. "When we talked this weekend, he was so revved up about everything from this year's class coming in to next year's recruiting to FedExForum to our schedule. "He was just flying, and that's the way he'll be." Just on one crutch. - Gary Parrish: 529-2365

06/29/04		U of M NOTES (baseball, football, golf) (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact June 29, 2004 Mississippi State assistant baseball coach Daron Schoenrock, who interviewed for the vacant University of Memphis coaching job Friday, returned to the campus Monday with his family and indications are he'll be named coach today. According to sources with knowledge of the situation, Schoenrock, 42, will replace Dave Anderson, who resigned earlier this month to pursue a return to professional baseball. Anderson, a U of M alum and a former manager in the Detroit Tigers organization, left after four years at the helm. Schoenrock (pronounced SHONE-rock) has spent the past five years as an assistant to Ron Polk, first at the University of Georgia (2000 and '01) and the past three seasons at Mississippi State. Schoenrock was one of three finalists for the job. Also interviewing over the weekend were Dan McDonnell, an Ole Miss assistant, and Butch Thompson, an assistant at Georgia. Top 5 finish The Tiger football team, which made its first bowl appearance in 32 years in December, also appears atop an NCAA attendance category. According to the NCAA, the Tigers' average attendance of 38,668 represented an increase of 10,274 over the previous season. Only three other programs - Connecticut, Pittsburgh and Southern California - had larger single-season hikes. Connecticut, which became a Division 1-A football member in 2000, benefited from its move to a new, 40,000-seat, state-funded, $90 million stadium. UConn averaged 37,059 - or 21,252 more than it did in 2002. Pittsburgh was up 14,773 (to 59,157) and Southern Cal reported an increase of 10,952 to 77,804. Memphis had led the nation in increased attendance average in 1976, 1983 and 1996. The Tigers finished in the top five last fall by going 9-4 with a wide-open, high-scoring offense that carried the U of M to the New Orleans Bowl. Opening pitches Three University of Memphis pitchers taken in the major league baseball draft earlier this month have made their first professional pitches. And, for the most part, they've picked up where they left off in college. Tiger ace Jarrett Grube, a 10th-round pick by the Colorado Rockies, has appeared in three games for the Tri-City Dust Devils of the short-season Northwest League. He has not allowed an earned run in seven innings and has struck out 12. No. 2 starter Derek Hankins, a 10th-round selection by the Pittsburgh Pirates, is 0-2 after two starts with the Williamsport (Pa.) Crosscutters of the short-season New York-Penn League. But Hankins, a 6-3 righthander, has a 3.27 earned-run average. Bill Edwards, the final member of the U of M's weekend rotation, is off to an 0-1 start, but has a 2.70 ERA in three innings with the Provo (Utah) Angels, a team in the rookie-level Pioneer League. Edwards, also a righthander, was chosen in the 29th round by the Anaheim Angels. The fourth Tiger taken in the draft - shortstop Brent Dlugach - has yet to sign with the Detroit Tigers. Detroit selected the junior infielder in the sixth round. "(Brent) is still in negotiation process with the Tigers," said Mike Dlugach, Brent's father. When Brent signs, Mike said his son likely will join the Oneonta (N.Y.) Tigers, who also play in the New York-Penn League. Strong summer Tiger golf coach Grant Robbins is having a great summer without swinging a club. Several of his incoming freshmen have had impressive results in competition. Keven Fortin-Simard of Quebec, the No. 2-ranked amateur in Canada, played on a four-man Canadian team that qualified for the Toyota World Junior Cup in Japan. Twelve countries qualified for the event and Fortin-Simard finished in the top 10 with rounds of 68, 69, 76 and 72. Cordova's Ian Rochester qualified for the match play portion of the Cotton States Amateur in Monroe, La. He earned a spot in the 16-player championship flight by shooting back-to-back 2-under 70s. And Robbie Greenwell, from Ontario, Canada, won the province's high school title.

06/26/04		Williams back from injury, eager to make hoopla reality (Jonesboro Sun)
		By Seth Holmun Sun sports writer TRUMANN — Preseason publications tout Heisman Trophy candidates with powerful schools such as Southern Cal, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas and LSU listed beside them. One of the most popular darkhorse selections for this year’s top honor sits on the bench sporting that bright smile that is as big as his game. His cutoff Memphis football T-shirt reveals the 20 pounds of chiseled muscle he has stacked on his 5-foot-10 frame since last season. Now he’s just as tough to bring down as he was to catch. The word is out on DeAngelo Williams and he can only laugh. He doesn’t read the preseason hoopla — he only knows one thing. How to make things happen on the football field. Williams and several of his teammates were in Trumann Saturday, participating in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament to support Hoops For Missions. As he leaped for a rebound and came down awkwardly on the hardwood Saturday, he sprang back to his feet, joking with competitors. “OK, that’s it. Get off the court,” Memphis quarterback Danny Wimprine chimed in. “That’s enough.” Wimprine had already seen his star running back go down to injury late last year. Williams, the reigning Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year and Wynne native, ripped the opposition last year — leading the nation in all-purpose yardage (192.1 per game). The junior tailback rushed for a Memphis record 1,430 yards, including 10 straight 100-yard games. He has run for over 100 yards in 14 of the 20 games he has played, including 12 starts before suffering an MCL injury against Cincinnati in the 11th game. He was forced to pace the sidelines and become cheerleader during the Tigers’ 27-17 New Orleans Bowl victory over North Texas as Memphis snapped a 32-year bowl drought. With all 11 starters returning on offense, expectations are even higher this year for Memphis and for Williams — returning from his knee injury. “I definitely feel like I have something to prove as far as getting back to where I was last year,” Williams said. “I’m not trying to prove to people that I’m a great back or that I want to win the Heisman. I just want to prove that I can be what I was last year — and that’s a football player.” It didn’t take Memphis coach Tommy West long to learn that Williams was back. In the Tigers second scrimmage of the spring, Williams carried the ball just four times, running for 117 yards and touchdowns of 34 and 71 yards. Williams led Memphis to a 9-4 record last year and had already eclipsed 136 yards against Cincinnati when he was driving for the end zone and took a helmet on the outside of his knee — tearing 70 percent of his MCL. “When I first hurt it, I panicked. I thought I had torn my ACL,” Williams said. “Then they told me it was my MCL and I wanted them to tape it up and put me back in.” As Memphis went to the New Orleans Bowl, Williams was still a few days from being 100 percent so the Tigers held him out of the game, fearful he may suffer more severe damage. Now he’s back and the preseason hype has already begun. Athlon lists him as a second-team All-American running back — with another higher profile Williams nicknamed “Cadillac” from down in Auburn on the third team. The Sporting News’ Matt Hayes recently wrote that fans should impress their friends by telling them that “Williams is the best running back in the nation. Tell them that the NFL is gaga over him and that he’ll be the top non-BCS player in the Heisman voting since Steve McNair finished third in 1994.” This attention all on someone who says he is an “average kid” from Wynne. The same guy that spent an entire day playing as himself when he first opened an NCAA football video game and saw his likeness. Three years removed from leading Wynne to the Class AAAA state title, Williams is now one of the biggest game-breaking threats in the college game. Blessed with the speed that saw him run a 10.81 100-meter dash in high school and shiftiness in the open field, even he didn’t realize how special he would become. “I’m only human and we all have our doubts. When I came to Memphis, I really didn’t think I could play at the college level,” Williams said. “I thought I was going to be one of those guys that’s an average kid. I just try to be that guy that they can call on and know that I can get the job done. I want to be consistent running, blocking and catching the ball.” He was often shadowed by two defenders last year. A linebacker was assigned to him throughout the game and a defensive end would peel off to add support if he floated out of the backfield for a pass into space. In the only game he didn’t rush for 100 yards last year, he racked up 135 yards receiving in the season opener against Tennessee Tech. With defenses attempting to key on Williams, the Tigers’ offense lit up the scoreboard. Behind quarterback Danny Wimprine and a talented cast, Memphis’ spread offense set school records for points (39.3 per game) and total offense (444.5 per game). “I felt like by them saying watch me, they really weren’t worrying about our quarterback or our wide receivers,” Williams said. “I feel like that’s the nucleus of our team. I wouldn’t be anything without them.” Wimprine, the school’s all-time passing leader, completed 55.9 percent of his passes last year, throwing for over 3,100 yards and 22 TDs — much in part to Williams. “He’s a talented guy. We have to find a way to get the ball in his hands no matter what,” Wimprine said of his tailback. “If he’s going to run the ball or catch the ball out of the backfield because he’s dangerous either way. DeAngelo opens up so many things for us — he’s a huge part of our offense.” He not only makes the game easier for Wimprine but the offensive line. Redshirt freshman Abraham Holloway joined Williams at the basketball tournament Saturday along with Trumann native Arron Bentley. Holloway moved from the defensive side to offensive tackle and immediately noticed a difference, blocking for the likes of Williams. “I noticed that as soon as I got here and started blocking for him,” Holloway said. “He makes the blocking a lot easier because his vision is a lot better than a lot of backs. Plus he’s much faster, which means you don’t have to block as long. Usually when he’s in the backfield, it’s just a little bump, he’s out the gate and my job is done.” Williams has become a complete back that will be a sought-after NFL prospect. He’s improved his pass protection and his vision may be his biggest asset — on the field and even up above it. As legend goes, he once looked up at the JumboTron and made a move on a defender he saw approaching him from behind. “It just comes natural to me,” Williams said. “I don’t even know what move I’m going to make until I make. I watch game film and try to remember what I was doing when I made a move and I can’t. I just blank out when I get the ball.” He’ll see himself on the JumboTron at Arkansas State this year as the Tigers come to Jonesboro Sept. 18. It will be another reunion for him and former Wynne teammates Tab Slaughter, Jerome Stegall and Antonio Warren. “I’m really looking forward to coming to Jonesboro, playing against my high school teammates,” he said. “This could possibly be our last time to play on the same field together.”

06/26/04		Burks, Emmett saw picks slip by (Commercial Appeal)
		By Ron Higgins Contact June 26, 2004 As Antonio Burks sat in Memphis and Andre Emmett in Dallas watching the first round of Thursday's NBA draft, both were shaking their heads. Burks, a University of Memphis point guard, was Conference USA's Player of the Year. Emmett, a Texas Tech shooting guard, was a second team Associated Press All-American who became the first player to be named first-team All-Big 12 three consecutive seasons. Yet all they saw drafted ahead of them were mostly high school seniors and foreign players. They wondered if staying in college until the very end was such a wise choice. "We were probably both looking at the (TV) screen saying the same thing - 'What are they (the teams) doing?' " said Emmett, who along with Burks met with area media at a Friday afternoon press conference. Grizzlies president Jerry West was more than happy to grab Burks and Emmett, a pair of mature four-year college players, in the second round via trades with Orlando and Seattle respectively. "The thing that keeps a lot of kids from making the NBA are character and the lack of ability to work hard," West said. "In these two kids, we got people who will work hard and we believe we got great character. They played for two coaches (John Calipari of Memphis and Bobby Knight of Texas Tech) who constantly tested them." Grizzlies coach Hubie Brown felt that the 6-foot Burks and 6-5 Emmett both help the Grizzlies to continue stock piling athletic quickness and physical toughness. It's something the Griz started last year by signing free agent James Posey of the Rockets and getting Bonzi Wells in a trade from the Trail Blazers. "The defensive end of the floor is very important in Antonio's game and that complements what we do here since our point guard is in a pressing situation after every score," Brown said. "We're always impressed with people who can score, and Andre was the quickest guy from endline to endline with the basketball that we saw in the draft. "We know we already have three players at each of their positions. But professional basketball is about competition on a daily basis. We've added two major diamonds-in-the-rough for our style of basketball." Both Burks and Emmett said it was an honor to be obtained by the Grizzlies, with Burks referring to West as "Mr. Logo Man." Burks had an eye on the Grizzlies and the Grizzlies had an eye on Burks ever since his workout on May 17. "I think I shot the ball real well that day," Burks said. "I thought I played pretty good defense." West said that he saw enough of Burks at the Chicago pre-draft camp before Burks injured his groin to confirm what he already knew about Burks - he just suffocated opponents with his defense. "Antonio has two speeds - fast and faster and both under control," West said. "I watched a 1-on-1 defensive drill in Chicago, and I'm not so sure anyone scored against him. I can't tell you how many times he stole the ball, or deflected it." Burks said there's no doubt that he's NBA-ready after playing for Calipari. "You have to be mentally tough to play for coach Cal," Burks said. "If you aren't mentally tough, you can't survive in his program." Emmett tested the NBA draft waters after his junior year, but returned for his senior season under the often-volatile Knight. "My Mom wouldn't let me leave early because I had to go back and get a degree," said Emmett, who led the Big 12 in scoring for a second straight year averaging 20.6 points. "Going back helped my game mentally. I was under a demanding coach who required a lot of his players on and off the court, and he made me tougher. Coach Knight gets you ready for basketball and life." West said that Emmett is one of the best players he's ever seen in college at consistently getting open on offense. "It's not something you can practice," West said. "He just can get open. You just put him out there and for some reason it's like he's wide open for a layup. He also finished around the basket when you think there's no room for him to finish. Those are gifts." Ukranian center Sergei Lishouk, drafted No. 49 in the second round by the Grizzlies, didn't attend the press conference. West has already hinted that Lishouk may stay overseas another year to gain more experience. Both Burks and Emmett are scheduled to report for rookie and free agent mini camp in about two weeks, then headed to California for summer league play at Long Beach State. - Ron Higgins: 529-2525

06/26/04		Tigers-Cards on Nov. 4 (Commercial Appeal)
		Officials at ESPN and Conference USA have confirmed that the Memphis-Louisville football game will be played on Thursday, Nov. 4 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Nov. 3 had also been considered a possibility for the ESPN broadcast. The starting time has not been determined. Early indications are that ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit, Mike Tirico and former Louisville coach Lee Corso will broadcast the game. The Tigers will end the 2004 season with three ESPN telecasts. Following the Louisville matchup, Memphis will host Southern Miss on Friday, Nov. 12, and will face South Florida in Tampa on Nov. 26 or 27.

06/25/04		Antonio Burks of Memphis Selected In NBA Draft (ConferenceUSA.com)
		Former University of Memphis point guard Antonio Burks was hoping he wouldn't have to move to a new home following Thursday's NBA Draft. And, after the draft and a deal, Burks learned he would be playing the in NBA without even leaving the city limits. The 6-foot-1 guard was selected 36th by the Orlando Magic in the draft's second round. Then, after the Memphis Grizzlies picked at 49th, the club orchestrated two separate deals, adding Burks and Texas Tech standout Andre Emmett. So, Burks - along with the Memphis Tigers - will be playing in the FedExForum in 2004-05. The 2004 Conference USA Player of the Year, Burks guided the Tigers to a 22-8 overall record and a 12-4 league mark last year. Memphis won a share of the C-USA regular-season crown and earned a second-consecutive NCAA Tournament berth. The Tigers won their NCAA first-round game over South Carolina, before falling to NCAA Final Four participant Oklahoma State in the second round. The Memphis, Tenn., native piled up the honors following his senior campaign. In addition to the C-USA Player of the Year accolade, Burks was named Associated Press All-America honorable mention, ESPN.com Conference USA Player of the Year, All-Conference USA first team, CollegeInsider.com All-America team, Basketball Times All-South Team and National Association of Basketball Coach (NABC) All-District 7 second team. He was also a finalist for the inaugural Bob Cousy Award, recognizing the nation's top point guard. Burks finished his career with 1,028 points (11.3 ppg), 487 assists (5.4 apg) and 177 steals (1.9 spg). He is only the fourth player in Tiger history to have 1,000 points, 450 assists and 170 steals. Andre Turner, Elliot Perry and Otis Jackson are the other three Tigers to accomplish that feat. Burks completed his career on the Memphis career charts for scoring (No. 34), assists (No. 6) and steals (No. 5). Burks was second on the 2003-04 squad in scoring (16.0 ppg) and led the team with 165 assists. He ranked among C-USA leaders in scoring (8th), assists (2nd), steals (1st), three-point field goal percentage (6th) and assist-to-turnover ratio (3rd). He is the first Tiger player to be drafted since Dajuan Wagner was taken with the sixth pick of the 2002 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is the Conference USA 26th basketball player drafted in the league's nine years of competition.

06/25/04		Memphis-Louisville Football Matchup Slated for Nov. 4 -- Game will air nationally on ESPN (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, TENN. - Officials at ESPN and Conference USA have confirmed today that the Memphis-Louisville football game will be played on Nov. 4 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN, and the time is yet to be determined. Early indications are that ESPN's broadcast trio of Kirk Herbstreit, Mike Tirico and former Louisville coach Lee Corso will provide the commentary. The Tigers are slated to end the 2004 season with three of its final four games to be broadcast nationally by ESPN. Following the Louisville matchup, Memphis will host Southern Miss on Friday, Nov. 12, and will face USF in Tampa on either Nov. 26 or 27.

06/25/04		Home grown -- Grizzlies keep promise, pick Tigers' Burks (Commercial Appeal)
		By Gary Parrish Contact June 25, 2004 It was back on May 17 after a private workout at Rhodes College when Jerry West pulled Antonio Burks aside and made a promise. ‘‘I hadn’t even taken a shower yet, and we started talking and he told me he was going to try to get me,’’ Burks recalled. ‘‘He told me that if things went right I’d be with the Grizzlies.’’ On Thursday night, things went right, meaning the Grizzlies made a deal that landed the University of Memphis star with the 36th pick of the NBA Draft via Orlando. Put another way — in Burks’s words — the Grizzlies ‘‘came and got their boy,’’ and in the process added another chapter to what has developed into some kind of fairy tale. ‘‘It’s a prayer and a dream come true,’’ said Ken Bennett, Burks’s longtime mentor and friend. ‘‘When Antonio was in the seventh grade we used to sit and joke about this moment all the time, and now here we are. ‘‘It’s great that he’s going to be able to stay in Memphis,’’ Bennett added. ‘‘I’m just so excited for him.’’ Heading into the day the Burks camp wasn’t sure how things would go, but there was an inkling that Boston would take the 6-0 point guard with one of its two first round picks, especially considering general manager Danny Ainge had brought Burks in for a second workout on Wednesday. So when the Celtics were on the clock with the 24th and 25th picks, the Athletic Resource Management suite in East Memphis got quiet, anticipation leaking from agent Jimmy Sexton’s corner office. ‘‘I was told they had three players on their board: Delonte West, Tony Allen and Antonio,’’ Sexton later said. ‘‘They went with West and Allen. But if either of those two would’ve been gone Antonio would’ve been drafted 25th. That’s how close he was to being a first-round pick.’’ Meanwhile, Sexton had spent much of the day communicating with Jerry West and knew the Grizzlies wanted to buy a pick either late in the first or early in the second round to use on the reigning Conference USA Player of the Year. So once Boston passed, everybody at ARM waited with fingers crossed, hoping the Grizzlies could cut a deal and move up from 49th. And when it was announced that Orlando had taken Burks, that hope looked like it was paying off. ‘‘When the pick came up, I knew there was a trade because Orlando had just got another point guard in Jameer Nelson,’’ Sexton said. ‘‘So I knew somebody had traded for Antonio, and I thought it might be Memphis. But I didn’t know for sure.’’ A little later, he did know for sure. Then the world knew for sure. Then Burks’s cell phone starting lighting up and the sons of Sexton and Bennett starting high-fiving and jump|ing with excitement. ‘‘I’ve got like 50 missed calls,’’ Burks said as the moment slowly set in. ‘‘I can’t believe this. I’m just so happy right now.’’ On the business side, the slide into the second round actually cost Burks hundreds of thousands of dollars on the front end and means he has no guaranteed contract until he earns a spot on the Grizzlies’ roster. But considering West made a move to get Burks, it’s fair to presume he fits into the Grizzlies’ long-term plans. As for Burks’s plans, they were more immediate and simple. He was going to try to get home and get some sleep before meeting with the media this afternoon. So Burks left the ARM offices late Thursday a bit drained while his agent stayed behind pleased with the night of work. ‘‘If Antonio wouldn’t have injured his groin a few weeks ago, he would’ve been a first-round pick, probably in the teens,’’ Sexton said. ‘‘So that cost him some money, but the silver lining is that he’s getting to stay home and play for the Grizzlies. He’s getting exactly what he wanted, so we’re happy.’’ - Gary Parrish: 529-2365

06/25/04		Calkins: Fairy tale comes true for Tigers' hot guard (Commercial Appeal)
		By Geoff Calkins Contact June 25, 2004 At shortly after 10 p.m., the phone rang in Jimmy Sexton's office. The caller was Grizzlies president Jerry West, bearer of some pinch-me-I'm-dreaming news. The NBA had approved the trade. Antonio Burks was moving right down the street. And, you know, he could probably walk there on air. The Memphis guard was a Memphis Grizzly. The hometown kid was joining the hometown team. "I'm so happy, I can't believe this," said Burks. "It's like a blessing." More than three hours into the draft, after Dick Vitale had gone to bed, after too many picks and too many words, the Grizzlies made it worth everyone's long wait. They did what Burks had asked all along. They went and got their boy. Orlando had selected Burks with the 36th pick. The Grizzlies waved enough cash in the air to persuade the Magic to give him up. They also acquired Andre Emmett (shooting guard, Texas Tech) and Sergei Lishouk (forward, Ukraine) to assemble quite the second-round haul. "It's a good day for the city isn't it?" said Gary Colson, special assistant to West. Yeah, it is. Not just because Burks grew up in the hardest parts of Memphis. Not just because he played for the Tigers, forged himself into a star and showed everyone what grit and hard work can do. Because - and here's the part West would like to stress - the kid can flat play. "It's nice to add local flavor to your team," West said. "We did not do it for that reason. We did it because he's a fine player." West realized this after watching Burks work out for the Grizzlies on May 17. After that workout, he told Burks he was going to get him one way or another. That's easy to say, of course. But the Grizzlies didn't have a pick until deep in the second round. So West started working the phones, trying to make a deal. He was close to prying the 22nd pick away from the Nets. Several other deals fell through. Both West and the Burks went into draft night hopeful, but not knowing how it would play out. The key turned out to be the Boston Celtics. They had Burks in for two workouts, including one earlier this week. The Celtics had two late first-round picks - numbers 24 and 25 - and three players remaining on their draft board. Delonte West was the first, Tony Allen was the second and Burks was the third. If either West or Allen had been taken, the Celtics would have picked Burks. In the draft room, the Grizzlies fretted. There wasn't much else to do. When the Celtics got both West and Allen, Jerry West started dialing the phone again. Which picks did he try to get? West tried to recall. "Let's see, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 . . . " Finally, two takers. Seattle sent him Emmett. Orlando sent him Burks. "We think they were both undervalued players," West said. Perhaps. But not around here. Burks is a true-to-life fairy tale, a local boy made good. And he wanted to play in Memphis. How often do you see that? We're reminded so often that pro basketball is a business, it's refreshing to know it can be more. On this night, Burks slid into the second round, went from making a guaranteed $1 million a year to a non-guaranteed $400,000. So what did he sound like when West talked to him? West grinned. "A very happy young man." Contact columnist Geoff Calkins at 529-2364 or send an e-mail.

06/25/04		Griz add Raider, big Ukrainian (Commercial Appeal)
		By Ron Higgins Contact June 25, 2004 When you've got just one pick fairly late in the NBA draft on Thursday night like the Grizzlies, you do the logical thing. You do something that everybody in your city loves. You trade to acquire University of Memphis point guard Antonio Burks. The Grizzlies got Burks, the No. 36 pick in the second round, from the Orlando Magic for cash considerations. They also grabbed shooting guard Andre Emmett of the Texas Tech Red Raiders, the No. 35 choice, from the Seattle Sonics for cash. A second-round draft choice in 2005 was also involved in obtaining Emmett. Finally, with their draft selection at No. 49 in the second round, the Grizzlies chose Ukranian Sergei Lishouk, a 6-11, 232-pound forward who will likely stay overseas another season to gain experience and strength. "It's no secret that I love athletic players, and these guys are both athletic players who have played in good college programs for great coaches," Grizzlies president Jerry West said. "These are two very undervalued players." Both players worked out for the Grizzlies, Burks on May 17 (the first day the Griz held workouts) and Emmett on June 3. Burks made it no secret that he wanted to stay home and play for the Grizzlies, telling the media after his workout to tell West to "come get your boy." Burks was the fourth player in U of M history with career totals of more than 1,000 points, 450 assists and 170 steals. The Memphis native, who played at Booker T. Washington High, was Conference USA Player of the Year last season when he averaged 16 points and 5.5 assists. His draft status dropped out of the first round because of a nagging groin injury that prevented him from playing at full speed in the Chicago Pre-Draft camp earlier this month. "If it wasn't for the groin injury, someone would have taken him in the first round," said Jimmy Sexton, Burks's Memphis-based agent. "Boston may have taken him in the first, but Memphis is where Antonio wanted to play." Emmett averaged 20.6 points as a senior at Texas Tech. As the school's all-time leading scorer, he was the first player in Big 12 Conference history to be named All-Big 12 first-team three consecutive seasons. West made it clear that while Burks may attract some local fans, he acquired Burks because he thought he could play in the NBA, not to just sell a few tickets. "He has great speed with the ball and defensively," West said. "Antonio is a one-man press." Of Emmett, West said, "He moves without the ball probably better than anybody I've ever seen. He's very clever, he knows how to score and he's very powerful with the ball." The acquisitions of Burks and Emmett give the Grizzlies four point guards and four shooting guards. The point guards are starter Jason Williams, backup Earl Watson, Troy Bell and Burks. The shooting guards are starter Mike Miller, backup Bonzi Wells, Dahntay Jones and Emmett. "We're trying to get as many athletic players as we can," said West, who admitted he has had some concerns over Miller's back problems since he was traded to the Griz midway through the 2002-03 season from Orlando. "We tried hard to move up to late in the first round, but we couldn't. As it turned out, we got this deal done rather cheaply." Before West's draft-night dealing, previous trades had left the Griz with a mere second-round pick. Most of the off-season emphasis for the Grizzlies is on the free agent market as well as possible trades, particularly trying to acquire more physical inside players. Thursday's draft was the first time in the 10-year history of the Grizzlies that the franchise didn't have a first-round pick. The only other time in Griz history that the team had just one choice in a draft was in 2000, when the team chose Stromile Swift as the No. 2 overall pick in the first round. Only one of the previous 10 second-round draft choices taken by the Grizzlies has lasted two full seasons with the team - Syracuse guard Lawrence Moten (drafted No. 36 in 1995). - Ron Higgins: 529-2525

06/25/04		U of M search targets SEC aides -- Three assistants vying to replace Anderson as coach (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact June 25, 2004 Three assistant coaches from Southeastern Conference baseball programs have emerged as finalists for the University of Memphis coaching job and will be interviewed for the opening this weekend. Mississippi State's Daron Schoenrock, Ole Miss's Dan McDonnell and Georgia's Butch Thompson are the trio vying for the job that opened earlier this month when Tiger baseball coach Dave Anderson resigned after four seasons to pursue a return to professional baseball. Anderson, a former major league infielder with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants, stepped down after leading the Tigers to their first Conference USA Tournament berth since the 2001 season, Anderson's first. Anderson, a manager for the Detroit Tigers' Triple-A franchise in Toledo before accepting the U of M post, had three players taken in the first 10 rounds of the major league baseball amateur draft this month. Schoenrock, scheduled to go through the interview process today, recently completed his third season as an assistant to coach Ron Polk at Mississippi State. Schoenrock, 42, handled the MSU pitching staff, a job he also handled working under Polk in 2000 and 2001 at the University of Georgia. A native of Fayetteville, Tenn., Schoenrock pitched at Tennessee Tech in the early 1980s. In addition to stints as an assistant at Mississippi State and Georgia, Schoenrock also was an assistant at Kentucky (1998-99) and Birmingham-Southern (1990-97). He has head coaching experience, leading Lincoln Memorial University for two seasons in the late'80s. McDonnell, who will interview Saturday, recently completed his fourth season at Ole Miss under Mike Bianco. McDonnell, who works with the Ole Miss infielders and baserunners, is the team's recruiting coordinator. McDonnell, 33, is a 1992 graduate of The Citadel, where he spent eight seasons as an assistant and recruiting coordinator after his playing career. During his eight seasons as an assistant at The Citadel, the Bulldogs won five Southern Conference titles. As a player in 1990, he helped the Bulldogs become the first military school to participate in the College World Series. Thompson, 33, joined the Georgia program in July 2001 after serving as pitching coach at Birmingham Southern. His fifth-ranked Georgia team reached the College World Series before being eliminated by Texas on Wednesday. Georgia finished 45-23 and in a third-place tie at the CWS. It was the second-most successful season in the program's history. A native of Amory, Miss., Thompson helped Birmingham Southern to four appearances in the NAIA World Series, including the 2001 title. In an interesting twist, Thompson played for and coached under Schoenrock at Birmingham Southern. - Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543

06/25/04		Tigers' Wade cleared -- Aunt, clerk not guilty in ID theft (Commercial Appeal)
		By Shirley Downing Contact June 25, 2004 University of Memphis basketball player Clyde Wade said Thursday he wants to "go on with. . . life" after he and two co-defendants were acquitted of federal fraud and conspiracy charges. "You heard everything. Not guilty. But I knew I was not guilty," a solemn Wade, 21, said as he left the courtroom. "You don't know how happy I am." Co-defendants Tavis Wade, his aunt, and Trudy Chalmers were weeping with joy and relief. "I'm glad this whole big mess is over and God saw fit to release me,'' said Tavis Wade, a history teacher who expects to resume her job with city schools this fall. Asst. U.S. Atty. Tracy Berry declined comment. Wade did not testify in the trial before U.S. Dist. Judge Hardy Mays but Tavis Wade and Chalmers told jurors they had done nothing wrong. "A lot of innocent people got hurt for a big misunderstanding," Chalmers said after the decision. Jurors deliberated a day and a half before returning the verdicts about 11:20 a.m. Thursday. Wade and the two women - both former sales clerks for Goldsmith's - were among nine people indicted last October in an identity theft ring that originated in a state prison. Convicted forger Patricia Johnson used personal information on individual Tennesseans she acquired through a prison job, then used the material to amend 74 department store credit accounts. She recruited Ida Wade and other women to purchase gift cards with the stolen credit. Prosecutors alleged Ida Wade, who is Clyde Wade's mother, bought many of the gift cards at Goldsmith's at registers manned by her former sister-in-law, Tavis Wade, and Chalmers. Clyde Wade was accused of peddling the gift certificates at half-price to teammates, three of whom reluctantly testified for the government last week. But Ida Wade, who has pleaded guilty, said her son did not know the gift certificates she gave him were acquired through fraud. Several co-defendants who have pleaded guilty were government witnesses, but defense attorneys labeled their testimony as "lies from thieves" who hoped their cooperation would buy less prison time. Other witnesses said Chalmers, a single mother with two jobs, and Tavis Wade, the daughter of retired Shelby County Jail captain Mary Wilson, are honest people. Tavis Wade said someone may have used her Goldsmith's identification number to process illegal transactions, but it wasn't her. "I'm happy for my client," said Tavis Wade's attorney, Leslie Ballin. "It's a good day." Lee Gerald, who represented Chalmers, said the jury "heard enough that they could make the right decision." Clyde Wade's attorney, Steve Farese, wiped his eyes as he escorted Wade from the courtroom. "I always cry," said a smiling Farese, who had told jurors that Clyde Wade accepted his mother's gifts without question. He also said his client was a talented young ballplayer with a future. "I'm happy that we were fortunate to have a jury that took this matter seriously," Farese said. "Clyde has another chance in life and that is the most important thing. It is not about the lawyers, or the judge or the jury, but the individuals who were cleared. I'm so happy for him." - Shirley Downing: 529-2387

06/25/04		Tigers happy with end of Wade trial (Commercial Appeal)
		By Gary Parrish Contact June 25, 2004 As expected, University of Memphis point guard Clyde Wade had his suspension lifted Thursday when a jury acquitted him and two others of federal fraud and conspiracy charges. "What I said at the time (of the indictment before last season) was that we were going to do the compassionate thing," Memphis coach John Calipari said. "I said he was going to stay in school, be a part of our program, practice with us, eat with us and be with us because he needed us more than he ever did before. And I said that if he was found not guilty, we did the right thing. And if he was found guilty, then we'd be the first face he saw when he got out of jail. "Fortunately for him, he was found not guilty," Calipari added. "But I'm really proud of the way the school handled this." A 6-0 point guard, Wade will be eligible this season and presumably be listed as a sophomore. He missed all of last season because of the suspension, which kept the Kingsbury High graduate from playing or even dressing with the rest of the Tigers. Regardless, Wade kept working every day, battling Conference USA Player of the Year Antonio Burks in Finch Center practices. In the process, Wade got stronger and better, meaning he will now add depth at a point guard position that will likely be manned by incoming freshman and McDonald's All-American Darius Washington. "Clyde improved a lot last year," Burks said. "He now handles the ball better, and I think he's going to be a really big help to the team." - Gary Parrish: 529-2365

06/24/04		Burks Selected By Orlando In NBA Draft Second Round; Rights Dealt To Grizzlies -- Former Tiger point guard staying home to play for the Grizzlies (GoTigersGo.com)
		NEW YORK, N.Y. - Former University of Memphis point guard Antonio Burks was hoping he wouldn't have to move to a new home following Thursday's NBA Draft. And, after the draft and a deal, Burks learned he would be playing the in NBA without even leaving the city limits. The 6-foot-1 guard was selected 36th by the Orlando Magic in the draft's second round. Then, after the Memphis Grizzlies picked at 49th, the club orchestrated two separate deals, adding Burks and Texas Tech standout Andre Emmett. So, Burks - along with the Memphis Tigers - will be playing in the FedExForum in 2004-05. The 2004 Conference USA Player of the Year, Burks guided the Tigers to a 22-8 overall record and a 12-4 league mark last year. Memphis won a share of the C-USA regular-season crown and earned a second-consecutive NCAA Tournament berth. The Tigers won their NCAA first-round game over South Carolina, before falling to NCAA Final Four participant Oklahoma State in the second round. The Memphis, Tenn., native piled up the honors following his senior campaign. In addition to the C-USA Player of the Year accolade, Burks was named Associated Press All-America honorable mention, ESPN.com Conference USA Player of the Year, All-Conference USA first team, CollegeInsider.com All-America team, Basketball Times All-South Team and National Association of Basketball Coach (NABC) All-District 7 second team. He was also a finalist for the inaugural Bob Cousy Award, recognizing the nation's top point guard. Burks finished his career with 1,028 points (11.3 ppg), 487 assists (5.4 apg) and 177 steals (1.9 spg). He is only the fourth player in Tiger history to have 1,000 points, 450 assists and 170 steals. Andre Turner, Elliot Perry and Otis Jackson are the other three Tigers to accomplish that feat. Burks completed his career on the Memphis career charts for scoring (No. 34), assists (No. 6) and steals (No. 5). Burks was second on the 2003-04 squad in scoring (16.0 ppg) and led the team with 165 assists. He ranked among C-USA leaders in scoring (8th), assists (2nd), steals (1st), three-point field goal percentage (6th) and assist-to-turnover ratio (3rd).

06/24/04		Study may reveal surprises for Athletics Department (Daily Helmsman)
		By Ben Cowens June 24, 2004 The University of Memphis is undergoing a self-study that will determine whether the Athletics Department will receive renewed NCAA certification. A previous self-study was completed in 1994, at which time The University received full NCAA certification. Since that study, the number of minorities in athletic management positions have decreased, while funding for women's athletics has increased, the new study finds. In 1994, a condition on which re-certification was contingent was that the Athletics Department adopt a written policy regarding minority hiring. According to the current report, The University "responded by adopting the Affirmative Action Plan and Guideline" in August 1995, to which the Athletics Department, along with the rest of The University, still adheres. The NCAA was satisfied with this action and granted full certification. The 2004 report, available online, states "Although the Athletics Department has followed University and Board of Regents guidelines, policies and procedures, as well as court-ordered mandates, the number of minorities in Athletics Department management-level positions and in coaching positions has decreased since the first-cycle visit." Nick White, a member of the Equity, Welfare and Sportsmanship subcommittee, said there are no quotas of minority hirings that must be met, simply that it is important that minority candidates are given every opportunity to compete for available jobs. The Equity, Welfare and Sportsmanship Committee is a subgroup of the survey's Steering Committee and is responsible for reviewing minority equity issues. "I think (minority hiring) will require some attention," he said, "and we'll have to take a look at it." While The University complied with suggestions in the 1994 study, White and David Cox, vice chair of the Steering Committee, acknowledge it is possible that further policy revisions on the matter will be added when the NCAA reviews the second-cycle report. Another section reviewed by the Equity, Welfare and Sportsmanship subcommittee is gender equity on campus. "The gender equity matter is probably the most prominent matter today (across the country)," White said. "What you have to look at is if progress is being made." Since the first-cycle study in 1994, The U of M has made significant upgrades in women's athletics that include adding women's soccer in 1995, revamping the Elma Roane Field House for women's basketball and providing vehicles for women's assistant coaches in various sports. "We've added soccer," White said. "Really, the next big step will be adding fast-pitch softball." Softball would bring the total number of women's sports on campus to six, matching the number of men's sports. Both men and women can compete in a seventh sport: rifle. The report states that The University committed to adding either women's swimming or softball by 1999, following the first cycle report. Although that never occurred, plans are in the works for softball to begin competition in 2006. Spending on women's athletics increased 320 percent between 1993-2003. The percentage of dollars spent on women's programs increased from 10.6 percent in 1993 to 23.7 percent in 2003. In 2003, women's sports made up 23.7 percent of Athletics Department expenses and contributed 2.1 percent of the revenue. The findings came about in a process involving the 25-member Steering Committee, responsible for conducting inquiries and reviews into existing policies that govern the Athletics Department. The larger committee is broken into three subcommittees, which are responsible for a more specific area and are comprised of student-athletes, graduate students, athletic department representatives and U of M faculty from other disciplines. These subcommittees include Governance and Commitment to Rules Compliance; Academic Integrity; and Equity, Welfare and Sportsmanship. The Athletics Department responds by assisting the committees with the proper reports, data and other background information. The Steering Committee also received input from The University community by welcoming e-mailed comments and holding an open forum for those familiar with the report. Cox said the open forum was designed to be "an opportunity to anyone who looked at the draft to come and ask questions." The forum represented the last chance for public input on the survey. According to the NCAA Athletics Certification Self-Study written guidelines, a final draft of the study must be compiled and approved by U of M President Shirley Raines and Athletics Director R.C. Johnson before July 15, at which point it will be submitted to the NCAA for review. In January 2005, the site committee and the NCAA will report their recommendation to The University and recommend any new corrective actions, conditions for certification or strategies for improvement that might be necessary. "That's why we do these things," Cox said, "to bring attention to certain areas where improvement is needed."

06/24/04		Tigers' Burks could go late in first -- Point guard will be with family for draft (Commercial Appeal)
		By Gary Parrish Contact June 24, 2004 What does it mean when a franchise with three first-round picks flies you up for an impromptu second workout less than 36 hours before the NBA Draft? In the world of scouting, it's always difficult to tell. But Antonio Burks is confident it's a good sign. ''I hope it is,'' the University of Memphis point guard said, moments after returning from Boston Wednesday night. ''To go in the first round would be great.'' Tonight, at a gathering of family and friends in Memphis, Burks will turn on ESPN and wait to be drafted. Will it be the Celtics? Or Raptors? Or Grizzlies? Or somebody else altogether? No one will know for sure until an NBA executive reads the card on national television. But word around the league is that Burks will be selected higher than some thought a few weeks back. ''I'm hearing anywhere from (picks) 22 to 34,'' said Memphis coach John Calipari. ''There's a very good chance he could go in the first round. But if he doesn't, he'll go high in the second.'' Calipari added that the only thing that might keep Burks out of the first round is the nagging groin injury that has bothered him for several weeks and limited his workouts. The reigning Conference USA Player of the Year had to cancel a meeting with Orlando because of the injury, but he did work out over the past week with Toronto, Miami, Charlotte and Boston. The most impressive performance may have come in Charlotte this weekend, where Burks was matched against Wisconsin point guard Devin Harris, a likely lottery pick. ''He didn't score one bucket on me,'' Burks said. ''Charlotte was impressed, but they traded their picks for the No. 2 (overall) pick, and I don't think they're going to take me second. ''But if they do, we're going to party.''

06/24/04		Kids big winners at shooting camp -- Students given memories to cherish from their heroes (Commercial Appeal)
		By Gary Parrish Contact June 24, 2004 From a distance, the whole thing looked a little fishy. Mike Miller of the Grizzlies? Losing a shooting contest? To a kid half his size? How in the world did that happen? "You have to let people win when they've got a Mike Miller jersey on," Miller pointed out. "That's a good-looking shirt." The first day of a shooting camp at the University of Memphis featuring Mike Miller ended Wednesday afternoon with cheers all around the Finch Center on campus. Each of the kids watching applauded a fellow kid, one with a solid jumper who had just defeated the player whose jersey he wore. Each of the parents watching applauded Miller, the former NBA Rookie of the Year/good sport who had just given everybody involved a memory worth savoring. "It's great," said Tiger coach John Calipari. "Mike doesn't have to do this, but he does because he's what the good NBA players are about. He wants to be involved with the kids and share what he's learned and been able to accomplish." The camp began at 9 a.m. and went full-speed for nearly eight hours with more than 200 players of various ages and skill shuffling from gym to gym to gym learning drills and techniques. Every camper received instruction from a former pro shooter (Milt Wagner), a current pro shooter (Miller) and a future pro shooter (Sean Banks). Then, their shots were videotaped and broken down and critiqued by Tiger assistant Ryan Miller, who is Mike's older brother and the Ed Schilling-proclaimed "shot doctor." "We have an evaluation form with about 25 different things on it, and so every kid gets a grade and a comment," explained Schilling, the Tiger assistant who is running the three-day camp that continues this morning at 9. "Ryan watches the tape with them and evaluates their shot, so then they know what to work on when they go home." One of the campers running around Wednesday was 8-year-old Evan Taylor of Bartlett, who was sporting a smile, not to mention a shirt Miller had just autographed. Did he have a good time? "Yes," Evan answered. What was the best part? "All of it," Evan responded. Then he looked at his dad, Terry Taylor, and enthusiastically told him about the Mike Miller dunk he had just missed. "We have a goal out in the yard, and he shoots all the time," the elder Taylor said. "So I thought this would be something he could come and do all day and then carry over to home. "He's been to some Grizzlies games, and, of course, he follows the Tigers, too," Terry added. "This is something that he's been looking forward to, and I think he's really going to benefit from it." - Gary Parrish: 529-2365

06/24/04		Tiger basketball notebook (Commercial Appeal)
		Rivalry renewed: If you're into the legendary John Calipari/John Chaney rivalry, odds are you'll get another dose this season. ''I think we're going to play Temple,'' Calipari said Wednesday. ''It's not done. But I'd say it's probably going to happen.'' When it does, the University of Memphis's non-conference basketball schedule will be one step closer to complete. Already, the Tigers are scheduled to open FedExForum on Nov. 20 against Arkansas State in a contest that will mark the first of five ''buy'' games at home. The others will be against Louisiana Tech, East Tennessee State, Austin Peay and probably Middle Tennessee State, though that one isn't set yet. Additionally visiting FedExForum will be Providence and Ole Miss, with Conference USA games against the likes of Louisville, Marquette, Cincinnati and DePaul help ing fill what will be a much better home schedule than the one the Tigers had last season. On the road, Memphis will get Purdue and probably Temple. And the Tigers will play Maryland in the Hall of Fame Classic in Springfield, Mass., and either Oklahoma State or Pittsburgh in the Jimmy V. Classic at New York's Madison Square Garden. Strength coach search: The U of M is still searching for a director of performance enhancement to replace Ray Oliver, now of the Cincinnati Bengals. Calipari, still on crutches recovering from hip surgery, said Wednesday that the school will begin interviews within the next 10 days and try to have somebody hired by July. National pub: Tiger standouts Sean Banks and Rodney Carney recently took part in a photo shoot for SLAM magazine. The shoot was conducted at the Finch Center. Banks and Carney should be featured in a two-page spread in the August issue. - By Gary Parrish

06/23/04		U of M men rank 10th in nation for hoops attendance (Commercial Appeal)
		By From Our Press Services June 23, 2004 For the fourth consecutive year, the University of Memphis men's basketball program ranks among the nation's top 10 in tickets sold per game, according to figures released Tuesday by the NCAA. The Tigers, ranked 10th in the nation in paid attendance, had 15 home games in 2003-04 and attracted a total of 231,481 fans (15,432 per game) during their final season at The Pyramid. Kentucky led the nation in paid attendance, averaging 22,710 fans per game. The rest of the top 10: Syracuse (21,825), North Carolina (20,802), Louisville (19,443), Maryland (17,950), Wisconsin (17,142), Indiana (16,487), Kansas (16,300) and Illinois (16,072). Since coach John Calipari took over in 2000-01, the Tigers have been ranked among the top 10 in attendance each year. The 2001 squad averaged 17,110 to rank sixth nationally, while the 2002 team averaged 16,225 to rank 10th. In 2003, Memphis ranked seventh with an average of 16,643 per contest. Conference USA ranked eighth among the nation's Division 1 conferences, averaging 8,351 per game. The Big Ten led the nation in attendance average at 12,779.

06/23/04		Jury out on Wade case after six days -- Arguments ask, 'Did they know?' (Commercial Appeal)
		By Shirley Downing Contact June 23, 2004 Jurors should "blow away the smoke," study the evidence and find University of Memphis basketball player Clyde Wade and two co-defendants guilty of fraud and conspiracy, a federal prosecutor said Tuesday. But defense attorneys said three honest people have been snared in the lies told by thieves. "Saying it doesn't make it so,'' said defense attorney Steve Farese, who represents Wade in the trial before U.S. Dist. Judge Hardy Mays. Mays finished instructing the jury at 5:14 p.m., Tuesday but jurors decided to go home and begin deliberations at 9 this morning. Farese said the case began when the government let the "fox in the hen house," and then turned a web of finger-pointing into a "conspiracy stew." He referred to the case's beginnings: Inmate and convicted forger Patricia Johnson stole personal data from Tennesseans while working in a prison data processing job in Nashville. She used the information to amend or open 74 department store credit accounts. Johnson recruited Ida Wade - Clyde Wade's mother - and several others to purchase gift cards with stolen credit. Prosecutors contend Tavis Wade - a city school teacher and Ida Wade's former sister-in-law - and Trudy Chalmers processed fraudulent gift cards and accepted questionable merchandise returns while working as sales clerks at Goldsmith's. Clyde Wade accepted gift cards from his mother, then peddled them to teammates for half price, three teammates testified last week. Altogether, nine people were indicted last October. Three of six defendants who have pleaded guilty testified for the government. Asst. U.S. Atty. Tracy Berry said defendants "engaged in this conspiracy knowingly." She said Clyde Wade was old enough to question where his mother was getting big screen televisions, DVDs, lawnmowers and other items while she worked in a cell phone warehouse. She said Goldsmith's had begun to question Tavis Wade's and Chalmers's activities before the criminal case came to light. Store records showed the two women had processed more gift cards and returns than any other sales clerks, mostly for Ida Wade and other defendants. But Farese contends Clyde Wade - who did not testify - accepted gifts from his mother like any other son and did not know anything was wrong. Ida Wade testified her son did not know the fraudulent origin of the cards, though Clyde Wade's mentally handicapped sister - who has pleaded guilty - said she warned him the cards were fraudulent. Defense attorneys said co-defendants who testified were not credible because they were proven thieves and because they hoped to get a lighter sentence with their testimony. Defense attorney Lee Gerald, who represents Chalmers, said other Goldsmith's workers were selling large numbers of gift certificates and accepting questionable merchandise returns but were not investigated. Gerald and defense attorney Leslie Ballin, who represents Tavis Wade, said their clients did not benefit from any alleged conspiracy. Ballin urged jurors to carefully consider their decision. "Next to life itself, what do we hold most dear? Freedom." - Shirley Downing: 529-2387

06/22/04		Tiger Hoops Ranks Among Nation's Top 10 In Attendance For 2003-04 -- Memphis ranked among nation's best for fourth-straight year (GoTigersGo.com)
		INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - For the fourth-consecutive year, the University of Memphis finished the season ranked among the nation's top 10 in attendance, according to figures released Tuesday by the NCAA office. The Tigers, ranked 10th in the nation in paid attendance, had 15 home games in 2003-04 and attracted a total of 231,481 fans (15,432 per game) during their final season at The Pyramid. Kentucky led the nation in paid attendance, averaging 22,710 fans per game in 2003-04. The rest of the top 10 were Syracuse (21,825), North Carolina (20,802), Louisville (19,443), Maryland (17,950), Wisconsin (17,142), Indiana (16,487), Kansas (16,300), Illinois (16,072) and Memphis. Since head coach John Calipari took over in 2000-01, the Tigers have been ranked among the nation's top 10 in attendance each year. The 2001 squad averaged 17,110 to rank sixth nationally, while the 2002 team averaged 16,225 to rank 10th. Last year (2003), Memphis ranked seventh with an average of 16,643 per contest. In Calipari's tenure, Memphis has drawn over 1 million (1,129,351) in total paid attendance, and is ranked sixth in the nation on that list. Since 2001, Syracuse is first in total paid attendance at 1,337,908. Rounding out the top five in total paid attendance over the last four years are Conference USA rival Louisville (1,225,612), North Carolina (1,180,421), Kentucky (1,161,391) and New Mexico (1,146,418). The large attendance figures have given Memphis a true homecourt advantage as the Tigers have won 21 straight at home, dating back to the middle of the 2002-03 campaign. The Tigers posted a perfect 15-0 record at The Pyramid last season. Memphis will enter the 2004-05 campaign with the nation's fourth-longest homecourt win streak. Only Stephen F. Austin (30), Austin Peay (29) and Wisconsin (28) have longer homecourt wins streak entering next season. Conference USA ranked eighth among the nation's Division I conferences, averaging 8,351 per game. The Big Ten Conference led the nation in attendance average at 12,779. In addition to Memphis and Louisville being ranked among the nation's top 10 in attendance, C-USA members Marquette was 12th (15,291), Cincinnati was 23rd (12,805) and DePaul was 53rd (9,041).

06/22/04		Letter 06/22: Liberty Bowl replacement another financial miscue (Commercial Appeal)
		The Liberty Bowl Stadium (used less than six months a year) is outdated and needs to be replaced with a new, bigger, fancier, more expensive stadium. Why does local government feel the need to spend mega-dollars on questionable sports facilities (The Pyramid leaps to mind) on one hand, and complain that there is not enough money to keep our streets safe, nor enough money to educate our children, on the other? Many high school graduates can't qualify for jobs that require making the right change unless the cash register tells them how much change to give. Apparently, the people in charge of the purse strings in the city/county governments feel that money grows on trees in the form of the taxpayer. The argument goes that big-time sports (which a lot of taxpayers can't afford to attend) will bring business flocking by droves to the city, and thus will create more jobs in the area. From what labor pool are these businesses going to draw? Let's be honest. Sporting events/concerts are entertainment. How many household budgets do you know of that spend money first on entertainment, then whatever is left is spent on shelter, food, clothing, child care, healthcare, etc.? The Liberty Bowl can't be demolished and a new stadium built in less than six months. So where will the new stadium be built, and what will the cost of land and improvements to the surrounding infrastructure add to the $175 million for just the construction costs alone? The sad things is that before these stadiums/arenas are paid for, they will also be obsolete just like The Pyramid, and the people that burdened the taxpayers with this enormous debt will no longer be in office. But what the heck, as long as there are taxpayers, those money trees will never dry up and wither away, will they? Jerry L. Moore Memphis City needs jobs, industries, not empty stadium seats Seeing the story about the leaking, sinking, overpriced schools that the taxpayers were forced to pay for ("Cracks, leaks mar new schools," June 17) should make voters clean house come next election. We have more arena seats than citizens and now the city wants a new football stadium. Why not put some effort to bringing some industry to the city to put some money in the pockets of the people they want to fill these arena seats? Has anyone been through Jackson, Miss., lately and seen the new Nissan plant that is about a mile long and employs no telling how many people? Memphis needs something like that instead of a new football stadium. This city can't afford a pro football team because there are not enough people in Memphis that make enough money to pay for the tickets, not the stadium. Taxes go up like the temperature outside and wasteful spending by elected officials never ends. It costs a hundred dollars for your permission to drive a car in this burg. You really have the plight of poor people in mind when you pass taxes like that. The City Council, County Commission and both of the mayors should see the end of their political careers the next time they are up for election. I know I'm going to work toward that end. Phil Bond Memphis Memphis-Tunica stadium would relieve taxpayers It is evident that we are going through an era of growth and change in our community. Public and private development is on the rise in our community, especially in downtown Memphis. With growth and development often come expenses that are usually funded by our tax dollars. It is beautiful to see our community grow with projects such as FedExForum, AutoZone Park and Peabody Place, although these enhancements came at a cost. There are now talks of a new football arena. Renovating the old and outdated Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium or building a new stadium on the Mid-South Fairgrounds are both foolish. I do believe now is the time to start discussing the idea of building a new football stadium. A state of the art, top of the line pro-football complex in the Memphis metropolitan area I believe is the only idea worth discussing. Anything less would be a waste of time and our money. I was thinking of the possibility of Memphis and Shelby County going into a public and private joint venture with Tunica County, Miss., and private companies and corporations such as Park Place Entertainment, Harrah's, Horseshoe, the Marriott, etc. to build a retractable indoor/outdoor domed football stadium and media complex in Tunica. Building this complex within the casino and resort civic center of Tunica County would bring the Memphis metropolitan area such events as the Super Bowl and NCAA men's basketball Final Four. This venture could also house such events as the Southern Heritage Classic football game, Liberty Bowl football game, and University of Memphis and Ole Miss football games. This joint venture would take the burden off of Memphis and Shelby County residents to fund such a project entirely by ourselves with tax dollars. It makes more sense than spending almost $200 million to renovate the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium or to build a new college-level stadium on the Mid-South Fairgrounds. Albert Jones Memphis

06/22/04		Wade co-defendants claim innocence in identity thefts (Commercial Appeal)
		By Shirley Downing Contact June 22, 2004 University of Memphis basketball player Clyde Wade did not testify in his conspiracy and fraud trial Monday, but two co-defendants told jurors they were innocent. The trial resumes today with closing arguments before U.S. Dist. Judge Hardy Mays. Wade and former Goldsmith's clerks Tavis Wade and Trudy Chalmers are among nine people accused in an identity theft ring that originated from a state prison in Nashville in 2002. Other defendants have pleaded guilty and await sentencing. An inmate data process worker accessed personal data of Tennesseans that was used to amend or open department store credit accounts. Prosecutors contend Patricia Johnson, a convicted forger, recruited Ida Wade to purchase gift cards with stolen credit. Tavis Wade and Chalmers allegedly processed fraudulent gift cards and merchandise returns while working at Goldsmith's. Clyde Wade is accused of peddling the gift cards to teammates, three of whom testified last week. Ida Wade is the mother of Clyde Wade and defendant Pamela Morton, and former sister-in-law of Tavis Wade. Earlier Monday, Morton, who is mentally disabled, said she warned her brother Clyde about the Goldsmith's cards. "I said to him, don't use them. They were fraudulent," said Morton, who has pleaded guilty to one count. Ida Wade testified last week that her son did not know the origin of the cards. Four Goldsmith's customers testified Monday about how they learned someone had illegally tapped into their store credit, and had charged from $2,000 to more than $8,000 in gift cards. Character witnesses testified that Tavis Wade and Chalmers are honest. Tavis Wade is a city school history teacher and the daughter of retired Shelby County Jail captain Mary Wilson. Tavis Wade said she had done nothing wrong, had never knowingly processed illegal gift-card purchases or merchandise returns and was not a part of a conspiracy. She furthered the defense theory that someone else may have misappropriated her store identification number to process illegal transactions.

06/21/04		Bryson Honored With NACDA Minority Postgraduate Scholarship Award -- Member of student athletic training staff earns national honor (GoTigersGo.com)
		University of Memphis graduate Camensky Bryson was one of five recipients of the 2003-04 John McLendon Memorial Minority Postgraduate Scholarship Awards, it was announced Monday. Bryson, who has served as a student athletic trainer and a member of the athletics department student work staff, received a $10,000 post-graduate grant with the award. The winners will each receive a $10,000 grant to be used toward postgraduate studies in athletics administration. Funding for the scholarship program has been provided in part by adidas America; American Football Coaches Association (AFCA); Host Communications; Major League Baseball (MLB); National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC); National Basketball Association (NBA); Sears, Roebuck and Co.; and NACDA. Minorities (as defined by federal guidelines) who intend to pursue a postgraduate degree in athletics administration are eligible for these scholarships. Students were required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, have senior status and have demonstrated leadership qualities on an institutional or community level. Bryson will use his grant to start work on his master's degree at the University of Memphis. Bryson graduated from the University of Memphis with a 3.60 GPA in sports management. A member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Board and Black Scholars Unlimited, Bryson was one of 20 students chosen to participate in the Memphis Sport and Leisure Commerce and Memphis Grizzlies Professional Mentorship Program. He graduated in the top 10 percent of his class in the Department of Education and was named to the Dean's List all four years. He also served as a student trainer and was a volunteer in the university's athletics media relations department and for the women's basketball team's summer clinic.

06/21/04		Grube Earns All-South Region Second-team Distinction -- American Baseball Coaches Association Honors Former Tiger Standout (GoTigersGo.com)
		Memphis, Tenn. - Former Memphis righthander Jarrett Grube earned second-team All-South Region honors in an announcement made by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). Grube was one of seven Conference USA players named to the two squads and finished his senior campaign in 2004 with a 9-4 record and a league-leading ERA of 2.82. Grube was drafted in the 10th round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft by the Colorado Rockies earlier in June. The Corunna, Ind., native is currently playing Class A ball for the Tri-City Dust Devils of the Northwest League in Pasco, Wash. (www.dustdevilsbaseball.com). The regional honor was for the first for a Tiger since 2001 when Daniel Uggla was recognized and it was Grube's second postseason honor after he was named first-team All C-USA in late May.

06/19/04		Teammates tie Wade, gift cards -- ID-theft trial of U of M player, others ends week (Commercial Appeal)
		By Lawrence Buser Contact June 19, 2004 Three University of Memphis basketball players testified Friday that teammate Clyde Wade talked about, sold or helped them buy department store gift cards for half-price or less. The brief testimony of Rodney Carney, Duane Erwin and Billy Richmond came at the end of the first week of Wade's federal court trial in which he is accused of peddling fraudulently obtained gift cards. Also on trial are former Gold smith's clerks Trudy Chalmers and Wade's aunt Tavis Wade, who are accused of accepting fraudulent purchases and returns of clothing. Six other co-defendants in the identity theft conspiracy case, including Wade's mother, Ida Wade, have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. She testified earlier this week that her son did not know the several cards she gave him were obtained fraudulently. The basketball players testified for the government, but volunteered little and appeared to be reluctant witnesses against their fellow player. Only Richmond said he bought gift cards directly from Wade. "Clyde came to me about some cards from Goldsmith's and asked if I wanted to purchase one," said Richmond. "He said I could pay him half of what they were worth. I bought two cards from him. I think they were $300 and I paid $150." Richmond said he bought clothes and cologne with the cards, but that he "backed off from buying more." Carney, who is Clyde Wade's roommate, said Wade had offered him a $200 gift card for $100, but he did not buy one. Erwin said Wade, who is suspended from the team, talked about the gift cards in the team's locker room and that he eventually bought a $250 gift card for $150 from Wade's mother. Erwin said the card did not work and that Clyde Wade told him it was not active and that he could get a new card or get his money back. Erwin said he got his money back. The gift cards and access to customer credit card accounts were obtained by codefendant Patricia Johnson, a convicted forger who worked in a prison jobs program where she could retrieve Social Security numbers and other personal information, authorities said. Johnson, who has pleaded guilty in the case, then tapped into legitimate department store personal credit accounts and recruited helpers on the outside to carry out the scheme. The trial before U.S. Dist. Court Judge Hardy Mays resumes Monday. The case is expected to go to the jury by Tuesday. - Lawrence Buser: 529-2385

06/19/04		Editorial 06/19: Liberty Bowl needs a long-term look (Commercial Appeal)
		IT IS NOT just a cliche to describe Memphis as a sports town. We love our University of Memphis Tigers and Memphis Grizzlies basketball. This fall, many of us will closely follow the resurging Tigers football program with serious expectations of another post-season bowl appearance. The Southern Heritage Classic football game produces near sellouts each September. And the Liberty Bowl game has gotten a boost now that Memphis-based AutoZone has signed on as title sponsor. Throw in a peaceful summer evening watching the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park downtown or a day trip to watch SEC football in the fall, and it's easy to see why sports is an important amenity for this community. So there is nothing wrong with beginning a public conversation about overhauling or replacing Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. City Council members did just that this week while discussing a facility assessment report of the aging stadium at the Mid-South Fairgrounds. According to the report, prepared by HOK, a national stadium architectural firm, and Memphis-based consulting engineers Ellers, Oakley, Chester & Rike, the 39-year-old Liberty Bowl "possesses numerous positive attributes" including sight lines and decent parking. But the stadium has become grossly outdated and is in need of numerous repairs and upgrades. "The Liberty Bowl is at a crossroads," the report's executive summary says. "The existing stadium is fast approaching obsolescence and may not have enough redeeming qualities to justify the amount of renovation and upgrading that would be required to bring it up to a competitive level, current standards and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and building/life safety codes." The price tag to meet all those standards, the report says, is $115.6 million to $146.8 million. A new stadium suitable for college football would cost $175 million to $195 million. There is no question that each of the entities that call the Liberty Bowl home must remain competitive in order to survive and prosper. That said, it is difficult to see where the money will come from to significantly upgrade the Liberty Bowl or build a new stadium anytime soon. Perhaps an innovative public-private partnership is looming down the road that could finance such a venture. For now, Liberty Bowl tenants and fans will have to be content with more modest improvements over the next three years that include painting, repairs to concrete and a new artificial turf field next year. But tenants were heartened that members of the City Council's park committee were at least willing to initiate a discussion of a new football stadium for Memphis in the future. Such talks should continue in the months and years ahead. And they should remain focused on what Memphis already has - an up-and-coming Tiger football program in a revamped league; a spectacular black college football event that should not be lost to another city, and a respectable post-season bowl game. It is unrealistic, however, to spend a lot of time talking about another effort to lure an NFL team to Memphis, as some council members suggested this week. The Titans are just 220 miles up the road. Why bother? Weary taxpayers will no doubt cringe at even the thought of another publicly financed sports arena when the $250 million FedExForum is not even completed yet and the future of The Pyramid is in limbo. Others will see more evidence of misplaced priorities and insist we spend that time discussing better schools, better health care and improved public safety. Granted, those topics deserve our more immediate attention, but there is nothing unseemly about long-term planning to improve or replace the Liberty Bowl.

06/18/04		New Lady Tigers coach off to a dream beginning -- One happy camper (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact June 18, 2004 Pat Savage admits it wasn't part of the deal, but she wasn't complaining about her role. When her daughter, Blair Savage-Lansden, was hired last week to replace Joye Lee-McNelis as University of Memphis women's basketball coach, Pat Savage attended the press conference to offer support. When her daughter made her first official appearance as U of M coach at the Elma Roane Field House Thursday - to conduct a youth basketball camp - Pat Savage was there to offer her support again . . . this time as a volunteer in the concession stand. While mom served candy, soft drinks and popcorn to campers, daughter donned practice gear and a whistle Thursday to conduct an offensive skills camp, the final youth camp the Lady Tigers program will offer this summer. It was difficult to tell Thursday who seemed most at home: a proud Pat Savage, still beaming from her daughter being named to her first head coaching job, or an energetic Blair Savage-Lansden, happily teaching junior high students the benefits of a jab step. "I'm in my dream world to be able to help her out and do this," said Pat Savage, who will work at the camp through its conclusion Saturday before returning home to Gravette, Ark. Savage-Lansden, 33, is in her dream world, too. A longtime Lady Tiger assistant, she returned to the U of M - after spending last year as an assistant at Belmont College in Nashville - to do what she has been groomed to do. "It's exactly what I've always wanted," Savage-Lansden said. Savage-Lansden, a former University of Arkansas player, spent nine years as a Lady Tiger assistant, leaving after the 2002-03 season. Lee-McNelis, who hired Savage-Lansden as an assistant in the mid-1990s, left last month to become coach at Southern Miss, her alma mater. Savage-Lansden was so excited to return to the court Thursday that she said she wished she'd been allowed to run her Lady Tiger team through a workout. Instead, her players filtered into the Field House during the afternoon to provide Savage-Lansden assistance at the camp. Since most of the players are familiar with Savage-Lansden, they've been excited since she was hired. "She seems pretty comfortable as a head coach," said senior forward Raven Rogers. "I went by her office (Wednesday) and it looked like she'd been there all the time. "I think it'll be a smooth transition for her. It was just a matter of time before she'd become a head coach." Jennifer Sullivan, who also will be a senior, said Savage-Lansden brings credibility and a drive to succeed. "She is all about winning," Sullivan said. "She is straight-up, she is intense and she'll do whatever it takes to win." Rogers said Savage-Lansden told the players in a recent team meeting that she's "grown a lot as a person (since leaving Memphis)." "She said she's got a different perspective on things," Rogers said. Savage-Lansden said the year she spent at Belmont College made her realize how much she loved the sport and wanted to become a head coach. "It enabled me to evaluate what was important," Savage-Lansden said. "I saw a different side from academics to recruiting. I realized being a head coach is what I wanted to be." Thursday she was content, and occasionally animated, instructing and complimenting her campers. She had them hustling from station to station, perfecting their crossover dribbles and stepping into their baseball passes. "What I've seen since she's been back is a lot of growth," said Betty Russell, administrative secretary for women's basketball.

06/18/04		U of M golfer, pilot set for final (Commercial Appeal)
		By Zack McMillin Contact June 18, 2004 On Thursday at Ridgeway Country Club, Clayton Ellis provided Exhibit A for why match-play golf is so much fun. Ellis, a University of Memphis golfer from Memphis, had taken match-play legend Danny Green, a former U.S. Mid-Amateur champion from Jackson, to extra holes in the quarterfinals of the Tennessee Golf Association's State Match Play championship. On the 19th hole of the match, after Ellis had made par, Green stared down a 10-foot putt for par and drained it. On the 20th hole - No. 2 at Ridgeway - it looked like Green had the advantage when Ellis skulled a shot out of the left bunker over the green. But Ellis's chip, from 40 feet away, tracked toward the hole before falling to give Ellis the shot he needed to close the match. ''It was perfect speed,'' said Ellis, who won the Metro Tournament of Champions in May. ''It was one of those miracle shots.'' Fred McCord, an Airbus pilot for Northwest Airlines, provided Exhibit B. Facing Tim Jackson, another of Tennessee's great national match-play veterans, McCord held steady. He could've blinked after 16, when Jackson tied the match with a birdie. He could've despaired after 17, when he three-putted to halve the hole. And he could've gone to extra holes accepting his fate when Jackson slid home a tricky match-saving putt for par on the 18th hole. Instead, McCord put his drive in the fairway, his approach 15 feet from the hole and coolly rolled home the birdie putt. He and Jackson exchanged low-fives before Jackson just missed his 12-foot birdie putt. And that's how it came to pass that Ellis and McCord would face one another for the first TGA State Match Play championship since 1987. ''The results of today tell you why it's such a good format,'' Jackson said. ''It shows you anybody can beat anybody any given round.'' When Jackson and Green fell into opposite sides of the draw after one round of stroke-play qualifying, it looked like the two former national champions and Walker Cup competitors would likely see one another in the finals. But Ellis, a public links player, and McCord, a member at Ridgeway, took advantage of their opportunities, and they will play a scheduled 36-hole match for the championship today at Ridgeway. ''That's match play and it's why I think it's good for this tournament that we lost,'' Jackson said. Jackson and other top amateurs lobbied the TGA to add the match-play event to give Tennessee amateurs a chance to hone their match-play skills. The most important amateur tournaments, like the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur, use the match-play format. It could definitely help Ellis, who plans to play in next week's local qualifier, at Fox Meadows, for the U.S. Amateur Public Links, which chooses its champion with a match-play format. Knowing he can stay with - and beat - a golfer with Green's credentials won't hurt Ellis's confidence, either. ''I'm just glad I could play someone like that, who everybody has heard of,'' Ellis said. ''We had a lot of fun.'' In the senior draw, Ben Long of Maryville won the championship with a victory over Gary Pierce of Franklin. - Zack McMillin: 529-2564

06/18/04		Prep stars marvel at incoming U of M talent (Commercial Appeal)
		By Jason Smith Contact June 18, 2004 On most nights after practice this week, they've gathered to talk about their future careers at Memphis. "We talk about how well we're going to do at school and how well we're going to perform on the field," says Brownsville Haywood's Brandon Douglas, one of five Memphis football signees who'll be starting for Tennessee tonight in the Tennessee-Kentucky All-Star Football Classic. Douglas, a 6-3, 280-pound offensive lineman, was already familiar with the four other Memphis signees who'll line up with him against Kentucky tonight at 7 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. But after getting to know them more and examining their talents in practice, Douglas said he's even more enthusiastic about his future at Memphis. "It's an outstanding class with the five here and the other signees they have," Douglas said. "The program is on the rise right now and most of us figured this would be a good time to come in." Former Covington standout Michael Grandberry, a 5-10, 170-pound running back who rushed for a school-record 1,546 yards and 22 touchdowns last year, has also been impressed this week by the talent level of his future teammates. "Rod Smith (Milan) is just powerful with the ball, and he's good on both sides," Grandberry said. "Earnest Williams (Crockett Co.) has the strength and the speed. And Brandon, he's just a man out there." Smith (6-1, 200), the Class 2A Mr. Football Back of the Year, rushed for more than 1,700 yards and 34 touchdowns for Milan last season. Williams (6-0, 185), the Class 3A Back of the Year, was Crockett County's primary offensive weapon last year, rushing for 1,680 yards (10.9 per carry) while hauling in 17 receptions for 380 yards. "All of us are good," Williams said. "And what's impressed me most is our speed. "Like, I know I ain't as fast as Michael Grandberry. He's a fast little dude. And Maurice (Jones)? That's one big receiver." Jones, a 6-3, 190-pound receiver who stood out for White Station last season, said the week leading up to tonight's tilt has been more business than pleasure. Kentucky has owned the series in recent history, winning three of the last four games. Tennessee's last win was a 30-20 victory in 2001. "We've been taking it pretty seriously because we really want to win," Jones said. "Tennessee hasn't won the past two years, but we've got a team this year that's going to end that little streak." The Tennessee squad includes four other area players: Charles Hampton (Bishop Byrne); Barrett Day (Briar-crest); Ramon Foster (Ripley) and Brian Flagg (Ripley). - Jason Smith: 529-5804

06/18/04		Mom defends U of M player -- Wade charged with selling fake gift cards to teammates (Commercial Appeal)
		By Jody Callahan Contact June 18, 2004 University of Memphis basketball player Clyde Wade didn't know the fraudulent origins of gift cards he sold to teammates, his mother testified Thursday. Ida Wade took the witness stand in the federal trial of her son, his aunt Tavis Wade and Trudy Chalmers, all being tried on conspiracy and identity theft charges. Most of the nine defendants indicted last fall have pleaded guilty, including ringleader Patricia Johnson and Ida Wade, who is cooperating with prosecutors in hopes of a reduced sentence. Johnson, a convicted forger working in a jobs program while serving her 12-year sentence at Nashville's Tennessee Prison for Women, accessed Social Security numbers and other identifying information. She used that information to add the names of her cohorts, particularly Ida Wade, to legitimate department store credit accounts, including Goldsmith's, Sears and Dillard's, according to prosecutors. Those accounts were then used to buy merchandise as well as gift cards. Prosecutors say Tavis Wade and Chalmers, who both worked at Goldsmith's, helped in the scheme. "Did you ever tell (Clyde Wade) that you illegally obtained these gift cards?" defense attorney Steve Farese asked Ida Wade. "No sir, I did not," she answered. Farese also theorized that Clyde Wade thought the cards came from a legitimate account held by his mother's friend, who was legally authorized to use the account. Some of Ida Wade's testimony appeared potentially incriminating. When a confederate in the ring was arrested, and Wade informed Chalmers, her response was "She should have come to me," Ida Wade said. She also said that when she approached Tavis Wade working a Goldsmith's cash register, Tavis Wade would act like she scanned a credit card, but then key in a different account number. The subterfuge would help fool security cameras watching the store. The trial continues today. - Jody Callahan: 529-6531

06/18/04		Letters 06/18: Talk of new stadium is out of place now (Commercial Appeal)
		In the past year or so, the city and county have been embroiled in budget problems, including massive debt and questionable spending. In one of the nation's most dangerous cities, the sheriff has been told he may have to cut his patrol staff to a bare minimum. The city school district is faced with the possibility of closing schools. Now there's talk of a new football stadium for the University of Memphis (June 16 article) to replace Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Do City Council members remember the last time this city built something to attract a pro team? It's now a landmark for barges. This town needs to rethink its priorities. Eager to call for new and shiny, we're nothing but bandwagon supporters of teams we already have. The Pyramid sold more concert tickets than Grizzlies tickets. Then the Grizzlies made the playoffs and everyone wanted to go. We couldn't keep the Oilers/Titans long enough to cheer them to the Super Bowl four years after being graced by their presence. Let Herenton and the council support this. It'll dig the graves to their political careers many have been wanting for years. Andrew Mullis Memphis I have been a citizen of Memphis since 1963. I remember the basics of the politicians' optimism connected to the Main Street Mall, Beale Street, Mud Island, Libertyland, The Pyramid, Cook Convention Center and FedExForum: This is the project to get us going. When is enough prosperity enough? Or where's the beef? Or why are Memphis and Shelby County out of money? Now the no-good spendthrifts are going to build us a $200 million football stadium. When they get it built, you all come back and visit. Herman Blankfield Memphis I have been a season ticket holder for U of M football for more than 20 years. My dream, long before The Pyramid or FedExForum, has been a new stadium, smaller but state of the art, downtown. Now, when the game is over, you walk as quickly as you can to your car and that's it. There is no atmosphere in which to savor the entertainment you just took part in. On the other hand, it would be exciting to leave the stadium and walk to The Peabody, Beale Street or Peabody Place. Maybe this will help focus the planning of the university and the community. Is there a Papa John in Memphis who will donate to the stadium? As a season ticket holder, I don't think a $1 per ticket surcharge would be excessive. There should be a creative way to get the ball rolling for a new stadium. Mark Busby Cordova About the time the Liberty Bowl was built, Jacksonville, Fla., built a duplicate of it. Jacksonville got the NFL team and we didn't. What has happened to that stadium in Jacksonville? We seem to be preparing to raze ours and build a new one or spend multimillions renovating it. Is a comparison in order? Bob Williams Memphis

06/17/04		Women's Soccer Adds Four To 2004 Signing Class -- CBU transfer Shoko Mikami highlights latest additions (GoTigersGo.com)
		Memphis, Tenn. - University of Memphis women's soccer coach Brooks Monaghan announced the commitments of three more prep athletes and a transfer from Christian Brothers University to give him seven new players that will dress for his team in the fall of 2004. Shoko Mikami, a standout for CBU as a freshman last season, and prepsters Halley Jo Sullivan, Elaine Sedgewick and Kelsey Irish will join Carla Scanniello (Boulder, Colo.), Caroline Barrett (Augusta, Ga.) and Natalie Haerens (Lake Mary, Fla.) as new additions to the 2004 squad. "These four athletes really make me feel good about the class that we have signed for 2004," Monaghan said. "We are still looking to add one more international player, but the seven girls I have coming in are going to really help this team reach its goals." Mikami (Chiba, Japan) blossomed for the Lady Bucs last season leading the NCAA Division II ranks in goals (33), goals per game (1.65) and points per game (3.80). She helped guide CBU to the Gulf South Conference championship and was named the league's player and rookie of the year. "Shoko is going to add a lot to our offensive attack," Monaghan said of his new forward. "Her vision on the field is tremendous and she hopefully will be a big-time goal scorer for us like she was for CBU last season. We are looking forward to having her on the squad next season." Sullivan (Anchorage, Alaska) prepped at Dimond High School under the guidance of head coach Joe Danicic. While there, she led the team to back-to-back runner-up finishes as the state tournament in 2001 and 2002. Sullivan also earned team MVP honors in 2002 and 2003. "Halley Jo will be a center-midfielder for us," Monaghan said. "She has a good awareness of the game and that will allow her to contribute immediately next season. She is technically sound and will be a big part of our future here at Memphis." Sedgewick, who is six-foot tall, is the latest recruit from England to join the Lady Tiger squad. A native of Durham, England, she played on the Under-17 National Team and will be add depth to the Memphis back line. "Her size should really help us out in the middle of the field," Monaghan said. "She is strong in the air which is an area that we were looking to add to the team. Elaine is going to help us out right from the start and we're excited to have her at Memphis." Irish comes to Memphis from Hudson, Mass., where she prepped at Worcester Academy under the direction of Tara Galante. She is the school's all-time assist leader and will add depth to the outside midfield spots for the Lady Tigers. "Kelsey is a hard worker who has the potential to become a key part of our team," Monaghan said. "She is going to walk-on for us, but she has the talent and ability to contribute right away."

06/17/04		Ex-Tiger Perry keeps old guard in spotlight (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact June 17, 2004 His name has been synonymous with University of Memphis basketball and the program's rich tradition since he was a popular, high-scoring guard for the Tigers in the late 1980s and early '90s. Now Elliot Perry's name is going to be associated with the athletic program in a loftier position. Perry, 35, said Wednesday he has purchased the naming rights - for $10,000 - to the coaches' observation deck in the Finch Center, the program's on-campus practice facility. The deck is among more than 130 athletic-related items that have been available to purchase since February, when the athletic department announced its Naming Rights Legacy Campaign. Perry is the first athlete to be involved in the naming rights fund-raising campaign, which could generate as much as $9 million for the department. Perry, a second-round pick of the Los Angeles Clippers in 1991, said he decided to get involved for several reasons, among them to pay tribute to his former Tiger coach, Larry Finch, and Finch's staff, and to motivate other Tiger athletes to give back. "I felt our names should be on some of these things," Perry said. "It's an extension of the basketball program for my name or Penny Hardaway's name or Lorenzen Wright's name (to be attached), just as it's an extension of the football program for Isaac Bruce's name. I just felt it was right for a former athlete to be involved." Perry, who played 11 professional seasons with seven teams, was hired two years ago as a special assistant to U of M athletic director R.C. Johnson, working primarily with Tiger Clubs in development and fund-raising. Perry said while Johnson can encourage corporate executives and prominent businessmen to get involved with the naming rights campaign, he can speak to ex-Tiger athletes. He said he has talked to Bruce, a receiver for the St. Louis Rams and a standout for the Tigers in the early 1990s. "I think athletes, in general, are willing to help and do whatever they can to give back," Perry said. "I think, on the whole, they haven't been approached." Johnson said Perry discussed getting involved with the naming rights campaign during a meeting in which Johnson asked Perry to remain as his special assistant. "He said he wanted to send a signal to other athletes," Johnson said. "He said he'd like to take part of his salary and buy the Finch Center balcony. That a former athlete did this is a tremendous start for us with all former athletes."

06/17/04		U of M NOTEBOOK (softball, soccer, baseball) (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact June 17, 2004 The first blazing, underhanded pitch from a University of Memphis softball player will be thrown in the spring of 2006. Tiger athletic director R. C. Johnson said Wednesday that a softball coach will be hired this fall and several potential playing sites on the university's South Campus will be explored. Adding softball has been discussed for several years, but for the first time school officials have revealed specific startup dates. "We will hire a coach sometime this year and a staff and start recruiting to begin (practicing) in the fall of 2005," Johnson said. "We don't have anywhere to play, but we're looking at the possibility of building something, and we've asked the campus planner and physical department to look at some things. We're not going to start off with the Taj Mahal, but we're committed to doing softball and doing it right." Associate athletic director Lynn Parkes, who recently finished her 20th season as senior women's administrator, said providing softball "is a commitment we made as part of an overall gender equity plan; it is time for us to do this." Parkes said the program could become competitive in a relatively short period of time. Southern Miss reinstated softball in 1999 after a seven-year absence and earned trips to the NCAA Tournament its first two seasons. The Golden Eagles have appeared in four of six NCAA Tournaments since 1999. "I think there is a lot of softball talent in the area, and a lot of interest in the sport," Parkes said. "I think it will take a little time (to be competitive), but I think it can be done." Parkes said she already has received calls from prospective coaches. "I think the first coach will have to be someone with vision," she said. "I think it requires someone who really wants to build something and leave a mark." Five of the nine Conference USA softball teams advanced to NCAA Tournament play this year. Tulsa, which joins C-USA in 2005-06, fielded a nationally ranked program. The five NCAA entries was a C-USA record. CBU star transfers Shoko Mikami, the Gulf South Conference Women's player of the year and leading goal scorer in NCAA Division 2, is transferring to the U of M. Mikami, a native of Tokyo, was a freshman on the CBU team last season. She scored 33 goals and helped the Bucs to GSC title. In addition to being named player of the year, she was honored as the league's rookie of the year. "She would have an immediate impact," said U of M women's soccer coach Brooks Monaghan. Mikami will have several obstacles to overcome before playing for the Lady Tigers. She is recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered while playing for an under-23 state team in the Ole Miss Seven-A-Side Tournament in late March. And she is awaiting word from the NCAA on whether she'll be eligible to play in the fall. Technically, she is transferring for the second time in her career, which, per NCAA guidelines, would require her to sit out a season. "It's going to be reviewed by the NCAA," Monaghan said. "We are in the process of working on a waiver." Monaghan said Mikami's rehabilitation is "going well." "She's on track to be back before the start of the conference season," he said. "We hope to have her back by the middle of September." The search is on Associate AD Bill Lofton, who is the chairman of the search committee to identify the school's next baseball coach, said applications are being taken through Wednesday. Earlier this month, Dave Anderson stepped down after four years leading his alma mater to seek a return to professional baseball. Lofton said the U of M would like to have its next coach in place by July 1. "I think we're going to have a good pool of candidates," Lofton said. - Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543

06/17/04		Out with the old, in with the new -- The U of M welcomes its new head women's basketball coach and says goodbye to men's baseball coach (Daily Helmsman)
		By Ben Cowens June 17, 2004 Members of The University of Memphis Athletic Department welcomed one new coach last week and said goodbye to another. Blair Savage-Lansden was named head women's basketball coach June 10, becoming just the third coach in the program's 34-year history. Savage-Lansden takes over for Joye Lee-McNelis, who left The U of M in May to coach at her alma mater, Southern Mississippi. Just two days earlier, baseball coach Dave Anderson announced his resignation, citing a desire to return to professional baseball. But last Thursday belonged to Savage-Lansden, who excitedly announced a return to the school where she started her coaching career. "It's a great time to be a Tiger," Lansden said at her introductory news conference. "There are a lot of great things going on in the city, and I'm very fortunate and blessed to be a part of it." The new coach will have precious little time to enjoy her new position before some of her most important duties as coach begin. Selecting a staff and developing a recruiting strategy are imminent decisions. "The next few days and weeks will be extremely busy," she said, "but I'm looking forward to a new challenge." While the challenge of head coaching might be new territory for Savage-Lansden, she is well acquainted with her new school. Savage-Lansden spent nine years as an assistant coach under Lee-McNelis before leaving to accept an assistant position at Belmont in 2003. Under the former coach, Savage-Lansden was the top recruiting assistant and helped recruit most of the current Tigers players. Her familiarity with the players will help smooth the transition, but Athletic Director R.C. Johnson said it had nothing to do with her hiring. "It just happened that way," Johnson said. "It wasn't really planned, it's just one of those things." Savage-Lansden's recruiting and playing background played a much bigger role in her selection, and when it came time to interview, Johnson and Assistant Athletic Director Lynn Parkes were impressed, Johnson said. "We knew all along that we felt she was one of our strong candidates, but she'd been gone for a year. We just wanted to make sure we were on the same page. She came in, she was well prepared, well organized, and she did a good job." The hiring leaves the remaining staff positions in a state of flux. Savage-Lansden has extended an offer to one of the holdovers from Lee-McNelis' staff, assistant Tom Cross, which he accepted.??? Cross served as the interim head coach during the search and was widely regarded as a candidate for the position. Other changes to the staff are inevitable. "I have some good candidates in mind," Savage-Lansden said. "I look forward to visiting with them in the next couple of days." On top of naming a staff, the new coach also has other business to attend to. Schools can contact recruits by phone beginning June 21, so Savage-Lansden will be hitting the recruiting trail very soon. Once again, her familiarity with the region will come in handy. "I'm familiar with players in the area, so that should help me out a great deal," she said. Yet just as one marquee coaching position is filled, another has become vacant. Baseball coach Dave Anderson has left his position to pursue coaching at the professional level. Anderson, a graduate of The U of M, guided the Tigers for four seasons, posting a 104-116 record. His first and last teams each qualified for the C-USA tournament. Anderson will leave when his contract expires on June 30. Assistant Athletic Director Bill Lofton, who will head the search committee, said there will be a national search conducted, with hopes of finding a replacement by July 1. "It will be a wide-open search," Lofton said. "We're interested in getting the best coach possible. We're just going to cast a net and see what we catch. "We're going to move as quickly as possible." The Tigers finished Anderson's final season with a record of 29-28.

06/17/04		Renovations for Liberty Bowl? -- Memphis City Council considers fulfilling wish list, high costs cloud decision (Daily Helmsman)
		By Ben Cowens June 17, 2004 The Memphis City Council may spend up to $15 million over three years, renovating Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The sum represents about one tenth of the potential funds needed for the overhaul. Last summer, a contingent -- including representatives from The University of Memphis, the Liberty Bowl and the Heritage Classic -- developed a wish list of Libe