Trip's Tigers: News Archives June 2006

06/30/06		Sons of ex-Tigers shining (Commercial Appeal)
		By Jason Smith Contact June 30, 2006 The two dads have sat side by side over the past week in basketball gymnasiums across the city, watching their sons, Bobby Parks Jr. and Brian Douglas, play a game that was at one time their fathers' livelihood. "Is that your boy, No. 41?" a father from the opposing team asks former Memphis State basketball standout Bobby Parks, who was sitting alongside another former Tiger, Anthony Douglas, on Thursday afternoon in the Neighborhood Christian Center gym in North Memphis. Then the man, Robert Joy of Dayton, Ohio, recognizes Parks, a Grand Junction, Tenn., native who 22 years after his collegiate career still ranks among the Tigers' top 16 all-time leading scorers. "You had that bank shot," Joy added, looking to Parks for affirmation. "Nah. That was (Phillip) 'Doom' (Haynes)," Parks replied, obviously unoffended. With their basketball careers at Memphis and overseas now behind them, Parks and Douglas would rather that their sons, who are playing in this week's Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) 13-and-under Division 1 national tournament, get the attention. "I have an older kid who played a little high school ball, but at that time I was gone all the time overseas, especially during the season, so I didn't get a chance to see him play other than in pick-up games," said Parks, who following his collegiate career at Memphis (1980-84) spent more than 15 years playing professionally out of the Philippines, where his son, Parks Jr., was born. "But this one, I've seen him all the way up, and he's just grown real fast. ... He's going to be better than me. He's going to be taller, and he can shoot the 3 and put it on the floor." Parks' son, who goes by his father's middle name, Ray, is a legit 6-2, and, at 13 years old, weighs between 180-190 pounds. He already wears size 14 shoes, just like his dad. "I'll do anything to get that respect that my dad has," says Ray, who came to Memphis from the Philippines in April and will enroll in the eighth grade this fall at a to-be-determined area school. "I want to go to the pros." As does Anthony Douglas' son, Brian, a slashing 6-0 guard with a knack for rebounding like his dad, the former East High McDonald's All-American who played center at the UofM from 1990-93. "It's really tense watching (Brian) play, but it's a lot of fun also," said Douglas, whose professional career included stops in Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Argentina. "My oldest son plays basketball a little bit, but he's more into football. (Brian) is the first one that's really following in my footsteps, and at this age, he's more into basketball than I was at 13. He's more passionate about it, so I've tried to teach him little techniques, like going to the (free-throw) line and squaring your body." Brian, also 13, said Thursday he believes he's due a growth spurt. His father was listed at 6-7 during his senior season at the UofM, though Douglas is probably closer to 6-5. "I just love the game," said Brian, a rising eighth-grader at Holy Rosary School in Memphis. "When my dad used to play overseas, sometimes I'd go with him, and I'd try to copy everything he'd do." The duo's 13-and-under Memphis YOMCA coach, Keith Easterwood, believes Brian's game more closely resembles his father's than that of Ray, whose father, Parks, was more of a slasher and a leaper. "Brian's more like his dad because he's a physical guy," Easterwood said. "Ray is not like his dad because Bobby was a garbage guy and a defensive stopper. Ray's been taught the game from a different style by living in the Philippines. He's more of a scorer and a finesse guy. He's a skill guy." On Thursday, Ray and Brian's Memphis YOMCA team, one that includes talented guard Terrence Durham (Treadwell), dropped an 83-77 overtime decision to the Southwest Illinois Jets in the first round of the Division 1 national tournament despite 16 points from Ray. YOMCA, which had finished second in pool play this week to advance to Thursday's first round, will play today at 5:05 p.m. in a loser's bracket game at American Way Middle. "They've played well," Douglas said. "Playing AAU basketball in the summertime, I think that's where I developed a lot as a person and as a player, getting to play against a lot of different players. ... I just want them to have fun this summer." Parks agreed, adding that he wouldn't be disappointed in the least should his son -- whom he calls a better ballhandler and a better shooter than himself -- not follow in his footsteps and play professionally. "I never pushed (Ray)," Parks said. "I just told him to make sure he gets an education. If he stays out of trouble and finishes school, he'll have made me a happy father." -- Jason Smith: 529-5804

06/29/06		The 2006 Richie Grant Soccer Camp Sells Out -- Sixth Annual Camp Is A Success (GoTigersGo.com)
		Memphis, Tenn. - The 2006 Richie Grant Soccer Camp is now sold out. The camp, scheduled for July 16-20 in Jackson, Tenn., will feature some of the top coaches and instructors in the region including Memphis men's head coach Richie Grant, men's assistant coach Robert Nicholson, women's assistant coach Jodie Grant, and women's goalkeepers coach Sebastian Vecchio. Lambuth's Paul Conway, Martin Methodist's Gerry Cleary, UEFA coaches Paddy Gallagher and Danny Crowley, and Chris Leonardi from University School of Jackson are also among the instructors scheduled for the sixth annual camp. The Memphis Tigers men's soccer team begins exhibition play on August 16 with a match against Christian Brothers University. The Tigers open the regular season on the road August 25 when they face the Louisville Cardinals.

06/29/06		Shawne Williams, power forward? (Memphis Edge)
		Wondering why the Indiana Pacers used the 17th overall choice in Wednesday night's NBA Draft on 6-9, 225-pound small forward Shawne Williams? When they already have a pair of threes in Danny Granger and (possible free-agent departure) Peja Stojakovic? It's because Pacers president Larry Bird believes Williams will eventually grow into a player capable of playing the four. That's right, the same Shawne Williams mocked in some circles for failing to lift 185 pounds once in the bench press at the NBA's pre-draft camp. Williams said he received a zero-reps score because he didn't attempt to lift the weight at all. He said he had a sore shoulder at the time. Well, the former University of Memphis standout is going to become much better acquainted with the weight room in Indianapolis. "That's the plan," Williams' agent, Happy Walters, said. "Shawne is gonna get older and get stronger and put on weight. When he does, he'll be able to play the three or the four." Williams, who was ticketed to go to New Orleans at No. 15 until North Carolina State forward Cedric Simmons fell to the Hornets, has a major fan in Pacers president Larry Bird. "With Shawne, Larry Bird called me last week and we talked for probably 40 minutes," U of M coach John Calipari said. "I knew then that there was probably an interest in him." Williams, for his part, knows he'll have to answer some lingering questions about whether he's worth a first-round pick. "I'll have to step my game up another level," Williams conceded. "And I will."

06/29/06		Tigers go back-to-back in 1st round -- Carney ends up with Sixers, Williams top pick of the Pacers (Commercial Appeal)
		By Jim Masilak Contact June 29, 2006 It was almost like one of the fast breaks they engineered together at the University of Memphis. On Wednesday night, one after the other, Rodney Carney and Shawne Williams became the first Tiger duo ever selected in the first round of an NBA Draft when they were chosen with consecutive first-round picks, 16th and 17th overall, Carney by the Chicago Bulls and Williams by the Indiana Pacers. "This is something I dreamed about," said Williams, a former Hamilton High standout. "This is what it's all about. All the years of hard work have paid off." Memphis was one of just five schools, along with Connecticut, Duke, Michigan State and Villanova, to have two or more players chosen in the first round. "It was great. For the two of them to go 16-17, I don't know if it's ever happened before in Memphis history," Tigers coach John Calipari said. "But it's great stuff." Calipari and the Tigers had hoped to have three players selected for just the third time in school history -- a trio of UofM players were chosen in both 1973 and '86 -- but point guard Darius Washington went undrafted. Projected as a possible lottery choice, Carney was one of the last players still waiting in the green room at Madison Square Garden in New York City when his name was finally called. The 6-7, 205-pound small forward's rights were then traded by Chicago to the Philadelphia 76ers, along with a second-round choice in 2007 and cash considerations, in exchange for the rights to Swiss forward Thabo Sefolosha, who was chosen 13th overall. Chris Emens, Carney's agent, said he and his client were in the dark about what was going on until Carney's name was announced by NBA commissioner David Stern. "We thought he was gonna go a little higher, but at the end of the day the most important thing is the fit," Emens said. "You look at the 76ers' lineup and add Rodney to it, and all of a sudden you have a team, with Allen Iverson, Samuel Dalembert, Andre Iguodala and Chris Webber, that is as fast and athletic as any in the NBA." Carney averaged 17.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game as a senior while helping the Tigers to a 33-4 record, Conference USA regular-season and tournament titles and an Elite Eight appearance. Carney, who could not be reached for comment, was followed quickly in the draft order by Williams, a 6-9, 225-pound small forward who was coveted by Pacers president Larry Bird. With a flurry of trades being made in the first half of the first round, Bird said he feared missing out on the C-USA Freshman of the Year. "We felt that Shawne Williams was the guy we wanted all along and we got him," Bird told ESPN. "We we just hoping and praying our guy would get to us and we got fortunate tonight." Williams watched the draft at the Memphis home of his grandfather, Leon Williams, and was the first player to be selected who had not been invited by the NBA to attend the festivities in New York. "I feel like it's the right fit. I told my agent that's where I wanted to go all along," Williams said. "I was scared for a minute because of all the crazy picks that were happening. I wanted to go there bad." "He feels he can fit in well in that offense," said Williams' agent, Happy Walters. "The first team he told me he wanted to work out for was the Pacers, and that was a month and a half ago. He likes the players on that team." ESPN analyst Jay Bilas was alternately complimentary and critical of Williams, who averaged 13.2 points in his only season with the Tigers. Bilas thought the Pacers, who already have a pair of small forwards in Danny Granger and free agent Peja Stojakovic, should have selected Connecticut point guard Marcus Williams. "He's got every tool you'd want, every piece of ability," Bilas said of Williams. "But I don't know if he's a winner. That's a big question." Williams said he didn't hear Bilas amid the hubbub of his selection. "But I heard what Larry said, and he's probably one of the best basketball players of all time," Williams said. "To hear him say what he said, that means a lot." Carney and Williams are the ninth and 10th players in UofM history to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft. Win Wilfong was chosen fourth overall in 1953. He was followed by Wayne Yates (fourth overall in 1961); Keith Lee (11th in '85); William Bedford (sixth in '86); Anfernee Hardaway (third in '93); David Vaughn (25th in '95); Lorenzen Wright (seventh in '96); and Dajuan Wagner (sixth in '02) as Tiger first-rounders. Despite some solid pre-draft workouts that reportedly impressed scouts, Washington will now likely try to catch on with a team as a free agent. Washington announced Monday that he had signed with agent Roger Montgomery, thus forfeiting his final two years of college eligibility. Had Washington not signed with an agent, he could have returned to the U of M for his junior season. "Sometimes you're almost happy (not to be chosen in the second round) because now you can pick the team you want to play for," Calipari said. "You get to pick the team you want to try to make." -- Jim Masilak: 529-2311

06/29/06		Baseball coach's contract extended (Daily Helmsman)
		By: Matt Laurie Sports Reporter After just two years at the helm of Memphis baseball, Daron Schoenrock has secured himself a seat in a Nat Buring Stadium dugout for a good while. The head coach's contract has been extended through the year 2010, keeping him in Memphis for another five seasons. "It was unexpected and very much appreciated," Schoenrock said. Schoenrock took over the team before the 2004-2005 season and won 13 games with inherited players. In just one year and with one recruiting class, Schoenrock has helped the Tigers move in the right direction. His team won 19 more games and finished with a winning record. Memphis also went from last in Conference USA with five wins to fourth with 13 wins. It was quite a turnaround by Schoenrock and his two full-time assistants Jerry Zulli and Mike Federico and his volunteer assistant Corey Kines, and they've been rewarded for their efforts. However, the baseball program also wins. According to Schoenrock, the extension allows he and his staff to recruit top high school talent and not quick fix junior college players or four-year transfers, and that's what the good programs do. "It shows the parents that their kids are going to be taken care of," Federico said. Federico and Zulli also gain from this extension because the administration bumped up the amount Schoenrock can pay the two assistants. Schoenrock's plan for the program is broken into three parts, the staff, the talent and the facilities. The new extension helps the staff stay in place and allows the ability to recruit younger, better talent. The facilities are the next phase and improvements are being planned. "Coach Schoenrock has accomplished more in his first two seasons as the Tigers' baseball coach than we ever expected," said Athletic Director R.C. Johnson in a statement. Another beneficiary of this extension may never pick up a bat or wear a jersey for The University of Memphis. "It gives me a chance to remain in Memphis and it allows my 14-year- old (Erik) to stay and graduate from high school," Schoenrock said. "I've moved him around a lot."

06/28/06		Carney, Williams Back-To-Back First Round Picks In 2006 NBA Draft -- Carney to 76ers at No. 16, Williams to Pacers at No. 17 (GoTigersGo.com)
		NEW YORK, N.Y. - After a 2005-06 season full of milestones, the University of Memphis basketball program made even more history Wednesday night in the 2006 NBA Draft held at Madison Square Garden. Rodney Carney and Shawne Williams were consecutive first round selections at No. 16 and No. 17, marking the first time in Memphis hoops history that two Tigers went in the NBA Draft's opening round. Carney, an Indianapolis, Ind., native was selected No. 16 by the Chicago Bulls and then was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. Williams, a Memphis, Tenn., native, was picked No. 17 by the Indiana Pacers. Carney and Williams are the ninth and 10th Tigers, respectively, to ever be drafted in the first round. The 2006 Tiger NBA draftees join Win Wilfong (1956; No. 4), Wayne Yates (1961; No. 4), Keith Lee (1985; No. 11), William Bedford (1986; No. 6), Anfernee Hardaway (1993; No. 3), David Vaughn (1995; No. 25), Lorenzen Wright (1996; No. 7) and Dajuan Wagner (2002; No. 6) as Memphis' first round selections. A consensus All-America second team pick, Carney was selected the Conference USA Player of the Year and was named to the Conference USA All-Tournament and All-Conference USA first teams. The 6-foot-7 forward was a finalist for three national Player of the Year honors (Naismith Award, Oscar Robertson Trophy, Adolph F. Rupp Trophy) and was on the Wooden Award mid-season list. Carney, who participated in the College Basketball Slam Dunk Championships at the 2006 NCAA Final Four, led the Tigers in scoring (17.2 ppg) and three-point field goal percentage (39.1) this past season. Carney moved into the No. 3 spot on the Memphis career scoring list with 1,901 points (trailing only Keith Lee and Elliot Perry) and set the school's career three-pointers made record with 287 treys. He also set the school's single-season three-pointers made mark with 102 in 2005-06. Carney finished his career ranked among Conference USA career leaders in scoring (No. 4) and three-pointers made (No. 3).

06/28/06		Three first-round Tigers? -- U of M has never had even two, but Calipari believes it's possible (Commercial Appeal)
		By Jim Masilak Contact June 28, 2006 University of Memphis coach John Calipari has traveled coast to coast this week in support of what promises to be the most successful NBA Draft night in school history. The UofM has never before had two players selected in the first round of the same draft -- much less three -- but Calipari thinks there's a chance it could happen tonight in New York City. While Rodney Carney is a projected lottery selection and fellow small forward Shawne Williams is considered a first-round lock, point guard Darius Washington's stock has risen steadily in the weeks leading up to the 6 p.m. CDT cattle call at Madison Square Garden. "I'm excited," said Calipari, who met up with Carney in New York on Tuesday after joining Williams for a taping of Fox Sports Net's 'Best Damn Sports Show Period' in Los Angeles on Monday. "Rodney's gonna go in the top 11 picks, Shawne could go in the top 18," Calipari added, "and Darius has played well enough that there's a chance he goes in the first round and probably early second round." If all three are selected as expected, this will mark just the third time since 1952 that three Tigers have been chosen in a single draft. Following their NCAA runner-up finish in the 1973, Larry Kenon, Ronnie Robinson and Larry Finch gave the UofM its first trio of NBA draftees. Kenon went in the third round (50th overall) to Detroit, while Robinson (60th overall to Phoenix) and Finch (68th overall to Los Angeles) were each chosen in the fourth round. All three, however, ended up signing to play in the American Basketball Association (ABA). Thirteen years later, in 1986, the NBA once again tabbed a trio of Tigers. William Bedford went sixth overall to Phoenix before Baskerville Holmes (68th overall) and Andre Turner (69th overall) were chosen by Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Lakers, respectively, with back-to-back third-round picks. "I'm proud of the kids," said Calipari, who will appear on "Best Damn Sports Show Period" again on Thursday to analyze the draft. "You've got one kid who stayed four years (Carney), one who was one and done (Williams) and one who stayed two years (Washington). We've got them across the board." Calipari also said he supports Washington's decision to hire an agent just 48 or hours or so before the draft. By signing with San Antonio-based representative Roger Montgomery, Washington forfeited his remaining two seasons of college eligibility. While the deadline for early entrants to withdraw from the draft was June 18, Washington could have returned to the UofM for his junior season with proof he paid for workout expenses and that he didn't sign with an agent. Once considered a marginal draft prospect, Washington's stock has risen on the back of some impressive pre-draft workouts. "He wanted them to know he wants to do this if there's anybody still not sure," Calipari said. "I'm fine with that. That's that kid's dream. It's good for him. It's what he wants to do. I've got to live with my decisions, and they've got to live with theirs. I try to counsel them just like I have people who counsel me."

06/27/06		Former Tiger Golfer Collects First Professional Win -- Germantown Resident Places First at Stonebridge Summer Open (GoTigersGo.com)
		BOSSIER CITY, La. - Alan Weant, a former University of Memphis men's golf standout, fired a 7-under-par 65 on Sunday at the Stonebridge Summer Open in Bossier City, La. to wrap up his first professional win. Weant, who graduated from Memphis in 2004, carded a four round total of 17-under-par 281 to beat Chad Ginn, Jaxon Brigman, and Chris James by three strokes. Weant joined the Tigers in fall 2001 after transferring from Auburn and went on to record one of the most stellar careers in Tiger golf history. Weant's career stroke average of 73.9 remains the second-best career average in school history. He also owns two of the 10 lowest season averages in Memphis history and was twice named to the All-Conference USA third team. After graduating from Memphis, Weant began his professional career in 2005 on the Tight Lies Tour. In 15 career tournaments, the Germantown resident has made six cuts. Prior to his first place finish at Stonebridge, Weant's highest professional finish was a tie for 27th place at the Lake Charles Open the previous week. Weant's first-place finish vaulted him to 22nd place on the Tight Lies Tour's 2006 Official Money List and 80th in the SkyGolf Player of the Year rankings. Weant is scheduled to continue his season this weekend when the Tight Lies Tour hits Gulfport, Miss. for the Sartin Vital Care Classic. The tournament begins Thursday, June 29 and wraps up on Sunday, July 2.

06/27/06		Carney looks like top 15 hit -- Athletic ex-Tiger hopes for team with an up-tempo style (Commercial Appeal)
		By Jim Masilak Contact June 27, 2006 Rodney Carney missed his last predraft workout Monday with the Philadelphia 76ers after spraining his right ankle, but not to worry. The former University of Memphis star, who later said his sore peg was "all right," will be able to convalesce in the comfort of the green room at Wednesday night's NBA draft at Madison Square Garden. Carney's status as one of 15 players invited to attend the draft in New York City is perhaps the best indication yet that the small forward from Indianapolis will be a lottery (top 14) selection. Carney, who's aiming to succeed former Tigers like Penny Hardaway, Lorenzen Wright and Dajuan Wagner as top-10 selections, certainly hopes that's the case. "It feels good to have all (the workouts) over. Now everything's in their hands," said Carney of the league's 30 general managers, one of whom is certain to select the 6-7, 205-pound small forward shortly after the draft begins at 6 p.m. CDT. "It's kind of a combination of emotions. You're excited about the potential of being drafted high, but then you're nervous because you don't know what's gonna happen. "I'm in the dark a little bit, but because I got invited to the green room, that's a good situation to be in." Where will Carney land on draft night? Most experts project him going somewhere between No. 9 and No. 15 overall, the consensus being that the New Orleans Hornets, who own the 12th and 15th selections, will not allow him to slide into the second half of the first round. "Staying in college four years has only helped him. He'll be gobbled up," said Ryan Blake, the NBA's assistant scouting director. "He could go anywhere in the lottery." Carney's agent, Chris Emens, certainly doesn't expect his client's wait to be a long one. "It's a pretty wide margin, but I think there's a chance he could go as high as No. 6 (to Minnesota)," Emens said. "The bottom range is probably 14 (to Utah). Or, more likely, 12 (to New Orleans)." Carney, who would prefer to play for a team with an up-tempo approach, said he has gotten positive vibes from a number of teams. Golden State, which has the No. 9 overall choice, Seattle (No. 10), Orlando (No. 11), Phoenix (No. 27 and reportedly looking to move up) and Portland (Nos. 4 and 30) have all indicated a keen interest in the player. "Those teams really gave me good feedback and have talked about drafting me at some point in time," Carney said. "I just want to stay in the top 10 and have an up-tempo team draft me. A team like that is gonna get the best out of me -- my speed, athleticism and shooting ability. A halfcourt team is not gonna be able to use me to my full potential." Because Carney's greatest attributes are his athleticism, ever-improving long-range shooting and explosiveness in the open court, he and his advisers are intrigued by the possibility of a fast-paced team like Phoenix, which owns the Nos. 21 and 27 selections, trading up. "Teams interested in drafting Rodney (think) if he's on a team that has an up-tempo philosophy, he could be a player who could be a potential All-Star," Emens said. "If he's on a team with a halfcourt set, then maybe there's some limits to what he might become in that sort of situation. "Of course, it's in the teams' best interests to pick a player who fits their style of play. The teams that are most interested in Rodney are teams wanting to take advantage of his ... athleticism." While Blake said questions remain regarding Carney's ball-handling skills and mid-range offensive game, he believes the player will thrive wherever he lands. "He still has stuff to work on, but you can't ignore the fact he's an effort player," Blake said. "Obviously he's going to excel in (an up-tempo game) because he's fast. But he's the type of player who can adapt to any type of offense." -------------------- How High? The following shows where various Web sites are predicting University of Memphis senior Rodney Carney might go in Wednesday's NBA draft: Web site / Pick / Team NBAdraft.net / 9th / Golden State insidehoops.com / 11th / Orlando Sportsline.com / 12th / New Orleans SI.com (1) / 14th / Utah ESPN.com / 15th / New Orleans SI.com (2) / 15th / New Orleans collegehoops.net / 15th / New Orleans

06/27/06		Tigers' D-Wash signs with an agent -- Guard's father confirms U of M career is over (Commercial Appeal)
		By Ronald Tillery Contact June 27, 2006 Encouraged by his predraft preparation and workouts, Darius Washington Jr. has decided to forgo his college eligibility just two days before Wednesday's NBA draft. Washington hired an agent Monday, ending his basketball career with the University of Memphis after two seasons. Washington is "confident and comfortable" with the decision, according to his father, Darius Washington Sr. "I've been with him throughout the process. I've talked to a lot of coaches and general managers myself," said Washington Sr., who shielded his son from agent inquiries before choosing San Antonio-based representative Roger Montgomery. "I sat down with Darius and gave him feedback. We decided to go all the way and sign with an agent. It's time for me to step back. But we weren't going to jump at the first person." Washington Sr. said he interviewed several agents and his family became comfortable with Montgomery, who also represents New Orleans' Desmond Mason and Detroit's Maurice Evans. Montgomery now must work the phones on Washington's behalf but said his client already paved a solid road leading to vast interest in Wednesday's draft. Washington is projected to be selected somewhere between late in the first round and midway in the second. Several NBA observers said Washington effectively answered questions about his ability to play under control at point guard. Teams already were intrigued by Washington's scoring ability. One of his most recent workouts at Seattle was described as impressive by an insider. "This is not a decision made on impulse. This is a decision made on research," Montgomery said. "The Washington family has done a thorough investigation of this situation. Darius is an NBA player, so I'm not surprised he's going forward." Washington participated in the NBA predraft camp in Orlando earlier this month. He's since worked out for several NBA teams, including Sacramento, Seattle, New Jersey, New Orleans Oklahoma City and Houston. Teams have been turned on by Washington's NBA-quality strength and quickness. "It's paramount that people in the NBA know that Darius is in the draft to stay," Montgomery said. "What's good is that Darius and his family understand the process. Darius has done his work, and it puts him in a situation to make this decision. Now, am I going to be able to find out exactly where he'll go? Probably not. But I can get a range." The deadline for early entrants to withdraw from the draft was June 18. Washington remained in the draft but could have returned to school with proof he paid for workout expenses and that he didn't sign with an agent. Underclassmen are permitted to work with advisers as long as they don't arrange workouts with teams on the player's behalf. Washington Sr. said he's also kept financial records of expenditures so that his son could maintain eligibility. NBA teams haven't told the Washingtons that Darius Jr. is in over his head. "I haven't heard that once," Darius Sr. said. "All I've been told is that he's ready for the next level."

06/27/06		C-USA filled with talented quarterbacks (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact June 27, 2006 Frank Scelfo was there when it started. No, not the inaugural football game in Conference USA, although he was there for that bit of C-USA history, too, as a Tulane assistant. Scelfo, the offensive coordinator at Tulane, was there in 1995 when the league began producing a steady stream of proficient quarterbacks. There have been Scelfo's trio of Shaun King, Patrick Ramsey and J.P. Losman at Tulane. There's been David Garrard at East Carolina. Before Louisville's departure from C-USA two years ago, the Cardinals developed Chris Redman, Dave Ragone and SteFan Lefors, who, like King, Ramsey, Losman and Garrard, made NFL rosters. Redman threw for a C-USA record 12,541 yards in four years. Cincinnati's Gino Guidugli had 11,453 from 2001 to '04. Memphis's Danny Wimprine also eclipsed 10,000, finishing with 10,215 during the same four-year span as Guidugli. Ramsey and Garrard surpassed 9,000. ''There have been some numbers thrown up through the years that have been pretty nasty,'' said Scelfo, brother of Tulane coach Chris Scelfo. When C-USA opens its 12th season later this summer, it will be stocked at the position again. It was an observation shared by several coaches and coordinators attending Monday's AutoZone Liberty Bowl Golf Classic at Colonial Country Club. The event, which benefits St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, attracted athletic department personnel from C-USA and the Southeastern Conference, the two leagues that will provide the teams for the Dec. 29 Liberty Bowl. While one of C-USA's most prolific passers -- UAB's Darrell Hackney -- completed his eligibility last year, C-USA returns: UTEP's Jordan Palmer, brother of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer and responsible for a league-best 3,503 passing yards in 2005. Tulsa's Paul Smith, who directed the Golden Hurricane to a 9-4 record, the West Division title, the C-USA championship and a victory in the Liberty Bowl. Houston's Kevin Kolb, one of the most prolific passers in the program's history who accounted for 288.2 yards per game, second only to Hackney. And there are others who potentially could push Palmer, Smith and Kolb for recognition. It's a group that includes Central Florida's Steven Moffett, Tulane's Lester Ricard and Memphis's Martin Hankins, a transfer from Southeastern Louisiana with two prolific 1-AA seasons to boost his credibility. Palmer tossed a league-high 29 touchdowns and averaged 292 yards per game for the Miners. Smith, who will be a junior, was among the most efficient quarterbacks in the nation. He was intercepted only six times in 364 attempts. He had 20 touchdown passes. ''He's a very heady guy and a student of the game,'' said Tulsa coach Steve Kragthorpe. ''To be good, you've got to have talent. To be great, you have to get 10 other guys in the huddle to believe in you and what you are doing and play hard for you. ''I grew up around a guy named Jim McMahon who was like that. If you look at all the quarterbacks who came through BYU, Jim, talent-wise, was probably in the middle of the pack. But Jim was a tremendous game-day player. He got the 10 other guys to fight, scratch and claw to be successful. Paul has some of those same qualities.'' Kolb, who will be a senior, has made 36 consecutive starts and has 9,155 career passing yards, within reach of Redman's C-USA record. ''The kid from Houston is putting up big numbers now, Jordan Palmer is putting up big numbers at UTEP,'' Scelfo said. ''And with defenses playing a lot of man coverage, ... somebody's band is going to play its fight song. You've got a lot of chances for big plays.'' Behind its strong quarterback play -- and solid receivers -- C-USA has built a reputation. ''This league is a really, really good skill league,'' said Memphis coach Tommy West. ''That's why we're built the way we are built. If you can't score points in our league, you have no chance to win the league.'' Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis, who played in Monday's event, has seen established Vol defenses sometimes battle to contain opposition from C-USA. The Vols have played Memphis, Southern Miss and UAB during Chavis's tenure. ''I think you see Conference USA teams getting better and better each year,'' Chavis said. ''They've done a great job getting exposure, they continue to recruit well and they have some great coaches. You see schools making commitments and expecting to win. They're not expecting to go out and compete. They're expecting to go out and win.'' And they are expecting to score. Seven teams averaged 27 or more points in 2005, led by league champ Tulsa's 33.1 per game. ''Offensively as a league, we open things up a little bit, going with three and four wide receivers,'' Scelfo said. ''Quarterbacks are attracted to that."

06/26/06		Rusty Clayton Earns C-USA Postgraduate Award -- Reliable deep snapper will receive $4,000 towards his master's degree (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, TENN. - University of Memphis deep snapper Rusty Clayton is one of 12 recipients of the Conference USA Postgraduate Scholarship Award as announced by C-USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky today. Clayton was selected by the Faculty Athletics Representatives to receive the award of $4,000 towards his postgraduate studies. A senior heading into the 2006 football season, Clayton earned a bachelor's degree in psychology in December 2005 and a second degree in history in May 2006. He plans to pursue a master's degree in criminology/criminal justice. A native of Sumrall, Miss., Clayton has lettered three seasons with the Tigers. He has been instrumental in kicker Stephen Gostkowski and punter Michael Gibson earning C-USA and national recognition. Clayton has started every game for the last three years and has not muffed a snap which amounts to 128 PATs, 78 field goals and 147 punt snaps. At the end of last season, he was presented the Role Player Award at the team banquet. He was also a CoSIDA Academic All-District IV second-team pick in 2005. Below is the full list of post-graduate scholarship recipients: 2005-06 POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS: Terri Davenport, East Carolina, Women's Track & Field Lucas Mireles, Houston, Men's Track & Field Jeff Mullins, Marshall, Football Rusty Clayton, Memphis, Football Sarah Yoder, Rice, Cross Country/Women's Track & Field Halley Rambally, SMU, Women's Tennis Micah Stephens, Southern Miss, Women's Soccer Brianne Darragh, Tulane, Women's Track & Field Matt Wiley, Tulsa, Men's Tennis Sebastian Falk, UAB, Men's Soccer Tracy Fischler, UCF, Women's Track & Field Ingrid Goslin, UTEP, Women's Basketball

06/25/06		Dec. 29 new date for Liberty Bowl -- Matchup will feature SEC vs. C-USA teams (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact June 25, 2006 The 48th AutoZone Liberty Bowl will break recent tradition. Instead of its annual kickoff on New Year's Eve, this year's game will be played Dec. 29, a Friday, starting at 3:30 p.m. Steve Ehrhart, the bowl's executive director, said ESPN officials will formally announce the date and kickoff today. ESPN has a seven-year deal, which runs through 2008, to carry the game. The Dec. 29 game will mark the first matchup of Conference USA champion vs. a Southeastern Conference opponent. While eight of the past nine Liberty Bowls have been played on New Year's Eve, Ehrhart said he doesn't expect the earlier date to affect attendance. ''It will be sort of a semi-holiday,'' Ehrhart said. ''It'll be the start of a holiday weekend.'' Ehrhart said ESPN officials, who discussed a possible prime-time kickoff on Dec. 31, chose Dec. 29 because of the recent strong television ratings the bowl has attracted. Two years ago, the bowl drew a 4.6 rating -- about twice its normal rating -- for a matchup between high-powered offenses from Louisville and Boise State. ''There was some discussion about playing on Sunday night because ESPN is showing some college football games this season on Sunday night,'' Ehrhart said. ''But all in all, (Dec. 29) is a terrific day and 3:30 is a terrific time.'' Ehrhart said the Liberty Bowl has been ranked among the top-four rated of 20 ESPN bowl games each of the past two years. The Louisville-Boise State game, which Louisville won 44-40, ranked second among ESPN's 20 postseason offerings. Last year's game between C-USA champion Tulsa and Fresno State ranked fourth. Tulsa won, 31-24. As for the Dec. 29 date, Ehrhart said local hotels were pushing for the non-New Year's Eve kickoff. Hotel rooms are traditionally scarce on New Year's Eve. ''And I think it will work well for businesses in Memphis,'' Ehrhart said. ''Some will have their employees work until about noon and then begin the holiday weekend.'' The last time the game was played on a date other than New Year's Eve was in 2000. The game, which kicked off at 12:30 p.m., was held on Dec. 29 between Colorado State and Louisville and attracted a 1.74 rating, the second lowest for the game since 1995. Note: The Liberty Bowl will play host to its annual golf tournament, whose proceeds benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Monday at Colonial Country Club.

06/25/06		Grind and bear it: Williams helps cause -- Busy workout schedule may pay off on draft night (Commercial Appeal)
		By Jim Masilak Contact June 25, 2006 It's a glamorous life being a prospective first-round NBA draft choice. Airport, hotel, gym. Repeat. Having spent the past few weeks crisscrossing the country, working out for everyone from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Golden State Warriors and becoming familiar with airport lounges across the continent, Shawne Williams is ready for a break. More than that, the former University of Memphis and Hamilton High standout is ready to finally learn his professional fate. "It's been a long process, but I feel like it's something you've got to go through to get where you want to get to," said Williams, who on Saturday completed a 13-city blitz by working out in Oakland for the Warriors, who will draft ninth overall. "It's a lot of sitting around and waiting. I'm practicing being patient. "It wears you down but, other than that, it's like a vacation." Williams, who went face-up with former Tiger teammate and projected lottery choice Rodney Carney during a couple workouts, is in no doubt as to the worst moment of his grand tour. "Sitting on an airplane and watching 'King Kong' twice," he said, apparently still shaken by the experience. "My flight from Chicago to (Philadelphia) was delayed and we sat for six hours on the runway. I got in at 4:30 (a.m.) and had to be up at 7:30. That was rough." But Williams, who is projected by most experts as a mid-to-late first-round selection in Wednesday's NBA Draft, believes he has helped his cause by attending so many tryouts. "I feel like I haven't had a bad workout. I feel like a lot of GMs know what I can do," Williams said. "I feel like I'll get picked in the first round." He's not the only one. As of Saturday afternoon, Williams was projected in various mock drafts as being either the No. 13 (CBSSportsLine.com), No. 15 (InsideHoops.com), No. 20 (DraftExpress.com) or No. 25 (NBADraft.net) overall pick in the first round of the two-round draft. His agent, Happy Walters, expects his client to fall somewhere in between, "probably between 15 and 25." "He hasn't really had any bad workouts," said Walters, who along with Bill McCandless represents Williams through the Santa Monica, Calif.-based Immortal Sports Agency. "I think he's safely in the first round." Given Williams' relative inexperience -- he declared for the draft following a season in which he was named Conference USA Freshman of the Year -- and what is expected to be a volatile draft, NBA assistant scouting director Ryan Blake said it's difficult to predict exactly when Williams' name will be called. "We don't even know who's going No. 1," Blake said. "Is he a guy who can go in the first round? Yes. Could he go in the second round? He could slip into the second round. I don't know. This is one of those crazy drafts." Walters said no team has given Williams a promise that it would select him in the first round if available. That's in part because teams choosing in the second half of the first round have little idea who will still be on the board at that point in what is shaping up to be an unpredictable draft. "There's no guarantee ... A lot of teams talk, but it's hard to tell what's bull and what isn't," Walters said. "He's not hung up on whether he goes 12th or 22nd. He's eager to go to a team who's really excited about him and can put him in the lineup and really use him over the next few years." Among the teams mentioned most often in connection with the 6-9, 225-pound small forward, who averaged 13.2 points and 6.2 rebounds for the Tigers last season, include the 76ers, who own the 13th pick, the Chicago Bulls (16th), the New York Knicks (20th), the New Jersey Nets (22nd and 23rd) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (25th). Could Williams last beyond that? He could, Blake said, if teams load up on international players who can be left in Europe for a year or two for additional seasoning. "Anything's possible," Walters said. "I would hope that doesn't happen, but anything's possible. I'd be surprised." Williams disputed an ESPN.com report that said he had failed to perform even one 185-pound repetition on the bench press during the physical portion of the predraft camp in Orlando. It raised questions about the player's readiness for the NBA's 82-game regular-season slog. Williams said he was given a "zero reps" score after skipping the bench press due to a sore shoulder. "I hyperextended my shoulder before my Philly workout, so I didn't lift. I did everything else," said Williams, who has yet to decide whether he will return to Memphis to watch the draft or remain in the Los Angeles area, where Monday he's tentatively scheduled to appear on Fox Sports Net's "Best Damn Sports Show Period" with U of M coach John Calipari. Williams, however, also reportedly had a lower vertical jump when allowed a step (31 inches) than while standing still (32). While Williams ran up against most of the draft's top prospects during his travels, it was Washington two guard Brandon Roy who impressed him most. "But I know I stood out in a lot of people's minds too," said Williams, "Whoever picks me, whatever team likes me, I'm gonna like them back. I believe one of them is gonna like me." -- Jim Masilak: 529-2311

06/23/06		Draft hype (Memphis Edge)
		As an almost-certain lottery selection in Wednesday's NBA Draft, former University of Memphis star Rodney Carney is one of 15 players who have been invited by the league to attend the festivities in New York City. Others invitees include possible No. 1 overall choice Andrea Bargnani of Italy, Texas' LaMarcus Aldridge, Gonzaga's Adam Morrison, LSU's Tyrus Thomas and Arkansas' Ronnie Brewer. Meanwhile, former U of M forward Shawne Williams, also a likely first-round choice, is tenatively scheduled to appear on the Monday edition of Fox Sports Net's Best Damn Sports Show Period. U of M coach John Calipari, a regular guest on the show, is expected to be in L.A. along with Williams for the show's taping.

06/23/06		Calipari To Guest Host On Fox Sports National Show Monday -- Tiger head coach to wrap up the NBA Draft on BDSSP Thursday (GoTigersGo.com)
		LOS ANGELES, Calif. - For the second time in three months, University of Memphis head coach John Calipari will be a guest host on Fox Sports "Best Damn Sports Show Period" (BDSSP) on Monday, June 26. Calipari, who also was a guest host on BDSSP in early April, then will serve as the show's NBA Draft correspondent on Thursday, June 29, reviewing the new draft class. Check local television listings for broadcast times in your viewing area. Calipari, who guided the Tigers to a school-record 33-4 record and an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearance in 2005-06, has been a frequent guest on national sports shows this year. He was on ESPN2's "Quite Frankly With Stephen A. Smith" two times during the NCAA Tournament in March, and also on the show's New York studio set in mid-April. In late May, he appeared on ESPN's Outside The Lines, discussing the new technology used in college basketball recruiting.

06/22/06		Robinson steps into new role (Daily Helmsman)
		By: Matt Laurie Sports Editor Kevin Robinson knows success. He has experienced it everywhere he's been since his freshman year at The University of Memphis more than 10 years ago. Now he's got the chance to bring success to the Tigers' Track and Field teams as men's head coach. "Kevin has proven his ability as a track coach by leading our field event athletes to record-setting performances over the past four years while serving as our assistant track coach," U of M Athletic Director R.C. Johnson said in a statement. Robinson's Memphis track and field success started early, being named Conference USA Athlete of the Year at the indoor championships when he won the weight throw and finished second in the shot put. In 1997 and 1998 Robinson took his success outside, qualifying for seven events in the two years at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. In 1998 Robinson reached the pinnacle of his collegiate success, winning the weight throw and hammer throw at the C-USA Indoor Championships. He was named the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) strength and conditioning Athlete of the Year and an NSCA All-American. Nearly a decade later, Robinson still holds school records in the indoor shot put, weight throw and hammer. Next on the list, coaching. Robinson first started teaching his craft at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where he coached eight individual Missouri Valley Conference champions, who won a total of 13 titles, and also set three Missouri Valley Conference records and six school records. Then he decided to bring his coaching success to Memphis. Robinson returned to the Tigers program in 2003 where he assumed the duties of coaching the men's and women's field events. His impact was quickly felt, with the help of some track and field athletes used to success themselves. In 2003 Robinson coached three individual conference champions to five C-USA titles, five school records and produced three regional qualifiers in four events. He also led the 2003 C-USA Male Outdoor Athlete of the Year, Gaute Myklebust and C-USA Champion and Academic All-American Lisa-Marie Hyman. His teams continued to succeed and so did Robinson, getting the opportunity to be head coach of the Men's track and field team. According to Robinson, the hiring process was long, lasting six months. Glenn Hays, the head coach for 36 years announced in December he would retire at the end of the season. Six months after that announcement, Robinson has been named head coach. Robinson said Hays has been instrumental in his own development as an athlete and as a coach. "My competitive experience allows me to know what the athletes are feeling and my coaching experience allows me to implement what I learned as a athlete," Robinson said. Since Robinson has had success in both, it may only be a matter of time before it rubs off on his teams. But, instead of coaching men's and women's field events, Robinson's role will now include the entire men's team, including the runners. Robinson, whose staff has yet to be assembled, is hoping to see positive changes in the men's program in the first two years and hopes in four to five years the men's teams will be competing for top two or three in the conference.

06/21/06		Third Lady Tiger Basketball Signee Named to All-Star Team -- Adria Phillips to play in East-West game Thursday in Fayetteville, Ark. (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A third Lady Tiger signee for the upcoming 2006-07 season has been named to a state all-star team. Fort Smith Northside's Adria Phillips, who signed with the Lady Tigers back in November, will play in the 51st Annual East-West High School All-Star Game, Thursday, at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Phillips was named to the West Squad after helping her senior squad to a 27-4 record and an Arkansas 5A State Championship game appearance, where her Lady Bear team fell 52-50. She led the team in scoring during the first three games of that drive toward the state championship finals appearance and was named to the Arkansas Activities Association 5A All-State team. Phillips is the third signee to play in an all-star game following their prep seasons. Fellow newcomers Robin Jones and Jazmyn Green faced one another in the Texas Basketball Coaches Association All-Star game, with Jones' red team defeating Green's white team, 79-73. Jones scored 10 points in the win. Green will suit up for one more all-star game, playing on the 4A-5A North team on July 13th at TCU. Adria Phillips (Fort Smith, Arkansas/Northside) Adria Phillips was one of five signees to ink with Memphis on the first day of the signing period. A Fort Smith, Arkansas player from Northside High School, Phillips is a 5-8 guard who averaged 11.6 points at Northside last season while helping her team to a 21-5 record. Phillips becomes Savage's first signee out of her home state of Arkansas, and follows a path that former Arkansas prep products Jennifer Sullivan (Jonesboro) and Tamika Butler (Marianna) followed to the Lady Tiger roster. Sullivan graduated in May of 2005 and is now the assistant women's coach at Rhodes College in Memphis, while Butler was a senior on the Lady Tiger roster who currently ranks fourth in career history in three-point field goals made. Phillips chose Memphis over Southwest Missouri State and fellow C-USA member Tulsa. Jazmyn Green (DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto HS) Another Texas product on next season's roster will by Jazymn Green of DeSoto High School in DeSoto, Texas. Green, a 5-7 point guard, was a Street and Smith All-American honorable mention player in 2005 after averaging 15 points and four assists per game. She was named to the End of the Oregon Trail All-Tournament Team and was a Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Class 5A All-Star as a junior. The No. 35 ranked senior in the state in a ranking by Texashoops.com for the Pre-season Class of 2006, Green was also named the Denton Record Chronicle Girls Basketball MVP following her junior season. At DeSoto, Green helped the Lady Eagles team win its first 25 straight games of the season and to a ranking as high as No. 2 in the state rankings. The Lady Eagles shared the District 7-5A championship before winning four playoff games, but fell one victory short of the state tournament in the 5A regional finals. In addition to her skills at the point, Green hit 63 three-point field goals last year and was invited to participate in the USA Cup with her Team Ichiban Red 17U team. Robin Jones (Waco, Texas/University) The final Texan in the initial signing class of the early season is Waco, Texas' Robin Jones. Jones averaged 14.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game for University as a junior and hit 72.7 percent of her shots from the free-throw line. A 6-0 post at University, Jones was named a second team reserve on the Tribune Herald Super Centex Girls Team after averaging 11.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in a sophomore season in which she helped the Lady Trojans to a 24-8 record, the school's first playoff trip and what is believed to be the school's first district championship. TexasHoops.com ranked Jones the No. 25 senior in the state in the pre-season Class of 2006 rankings and she could play either forward or center for the Lady Tigers.

06/21/06		Tiger Notes: Basketball, Baseball (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact June 21, 2006 Lady Tigers get a prize transfer -- Thornton coming off terrific freshman season The University of Memphis women's basketball team announced Tuesday that 6-0 guard/forward Ashley Thornton will transfer to the U of M for the 2006-07 season. Thornton, a native of Pinson, Ala., played her freshman season at Birmingham Southern, where she was named to the Big South Conference All-Freshmen team after averaging 7.2 points and 4.2 rebounds. Birmingham Southern announced recently that it will drop to NCAA Division 3 athletics beginning in 2007-08. Because of the classification change, Birmingham Southern athletes are allowed to transfer without sitting out a year. "We're excited to have Ashley come to Memphis," said Lady Tigers coach Blair Savage, whose program is coming off a 3-25 season. "She was very successful at Birmingham Southern, earning a spot on the All-Freshman team in the Big South, and we're hopeful that she'll bring some good NCAA Division 1 basketball experience to our program." The Big South Freshman of the week two times in 2005-06, Thornton had four double-digit scoring games and led the team in scoring three times and rebounding twice. Baseball hire Just days after agreeing to a contract extension, baseball coach Daron Schoenrock on Tuesday announced the addition of Allen Osborne as the Tigers' third assistant coach. Osborne replaces former assistant Corey Kines. Off the field, Osborne will be in charge of the upkeep and maintenance of Tom DeHart Field, as well as overseeing Tiger baseball summer camps, summer youth tournaments held at Nat Buring Stadium and maintaining contact with area high school coaches. On the field, he will take over as the infielder's and catcher's instructor. "It is an honor for us at Memphis to have someone with Allen's experience in this position," said Schoenrock. "He will definitely make an impact on our camps, players and program." A native of Chesapeake, Ohio, Osborne spent the 2006 baseball season at Wakefield High School in Raleigh, N.C., where he served as the assistant coach. Before that, Osborne spent three years as an assistant at East Carolina, where he worked as the hitting instructor and recruiting coordinator.

06/20/06		Schwab Named to W-League Team of the Week -- Sophomore is one of 10 Lady Tigers playing in premier leagues this off-season (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS - Memphis women's soccer player Emiko Schwab was named to the United Soccer Leagues' W-League team of the week after scoring a goal in the Mile High Edge's 2-0 win over Fort Collins, the USL office announced Monday. Schwab, a Colorado native, is playing midfield for Mile High over the summer. The sophomore is just one of 10 Lady Tigers participating in either the W-League or the Women's Premier Soccer League this off-season. The W-League and the WPSL are semipro organizations that feature both professional and amateur players. Both are widely regarded as the highest level of professional women's soccer in the United States and give players a chance to compete against professionals while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The Memphis Mercury of the WPSL features five current Lady Tigers on its roster, including two newcomers. "We're excited to have players in both of these leagues and that they are performing so well," said Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghan. "Hopefully this will be a good indicator of what we can expect in the fall." The Memphis women's soccer team will open its season Aug. 16 when it takes on Christian Brothers University.

06/20/06		Women's Basketball Adds Transfer for 2006-07 -- Ashley Thornton to join Lady Tigers for the upcoming season from Birmingham Southern (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Lady Tiger basketball team announced Tuesday that 6-0 guard/forward Ashley Thornton will transfer to the Memphis program for the upcoming 2006-07 season. Thornton, a native of Pinson, Ala., comes to the Lady Tigers after playing her freshman season at Birmingham Southern College, where she was named to the Big South Conference All-Freshmen team after averaging 7.2 points and 4.2 rebounds a game after missing the first seven games of the year due to a knee injury. Birmingham Southern announced earlier in June that they will switch to NCAA Division III athletics beginning in 2007-08. "We're excited to have Ashley come to Memphis," Head Coach Blair Savage said. "She was very successful at Birmingham Southern, earning a spot on the All-Freshman team in the Big South and we're hopeful that she'll bring some good NCAA Division I basketball experience to our program." The Big South Freshman of the week two times in 2005-06, Thornton had four double-digit scoring games and led the team in scoring three times and rebounding twice. She shot .400 or better in 11 of the 20 games she played in and .500 or better in 10 of those games. A prep product of Pinson Valley, Thornton was a three-time All-State, All-Metro and All-County honoree. She was named to the regional all-tournament team twice and earned All-Area MVP honors three times and earned a roster spot for the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star roster as a senior. A Birmingham News Super 12 honoree, Thornton is majoring in business administration and minoring in accounting.

06/20/06		Allen Osborne Joins Baseball Coaching Staff -- Osborne replaces Corey Kines as Tigers' third assistant (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Just days after inking a contract extension, University of Memphis head baseball coach Daron Schoenrock announced the addition of Allen Osborne as the Tigers' third assistant coach. Osborne replaces former assistant Corey Kines. Off the field, Osborne will be in charge of the upkeep and maintenance of Tom DeHart Field, as well as overseeing Tiger baseball summer camps, summer youth tournaments held at Nat Buring Stadium and maintaining contact with area high school coaches. On the field, he will take over as the infielder's and catcher's instructor. "It is an honor for us at Memphis to have someone with Allen's experience in this position," said Schoenrock. "He will definitely make an impact on our camps, players and program. We are excited to have Allen and (his wife) Janey join our baseball family at Memphis." A native of Chesapeake, Ohio, Osborne comes to the Memphis baseball program with a strong coaching background. He spent the 2006 baseball season at Wakefield High School in Raleigh, N.C., where he served as the assistant coach. Prior to his one-year stint in the high school ranks, Osborne spent three years as an assistant at Conference USA opponent East Carolina. There, he worked as the hitting instructor and recruiting coordinator. While at ECU, Osborne's offense set or broke six offensive records, including hitting 103 home runs and 153 doubles in 2004. He helped guide the 2004 Pirates to a nation-best 47-9 mark, including a 25-5 finish in C-USA play. ECU advanced to the Super Regional series after claiming the Kinston Regional championship. The Pirates finished the year ranked as high as fourth nationally by Collegiate Baseball and USA Today. Osborne broke into the Division I ranks in 1997, at the University of Georgia, when he joined head coach Robert Sapp's staff as a graduate assistant. As the Bulldog assistant, he worked primarily as the catcher's coach and assisted with daily administrative duties. Osborne returned to Georgia for his second stint with the Bulldog baseball program following the 1999 season, joining then fellow assistant Daron Schoenrock on Ron Polk's staff. He served as the hitting and catcher's coach, as well as assuming the role of equipment manager and on-campus recruiting coordinator. He helped the Bulldogs to a 2001 Southeastern Conference championship, NCAA Regional and Super Regional title en route to an appearance in the College World Series. He spent the 1999 season as an assistant coach at Chipola Junior College in Marianna, Fla. At CJC he coached defense, base running and also served as the recruiting coordinator and hitting instructor. Osborne got his coaching career started in 1996 as an assistant coach for the Cortland Apples of the Northeastern Collegiate League. He took the reins as the head coach of the club a year later and guided them to the NCBL's Eastern Division title in 1999 and 2000. A four-year letterwinner at Marshall University from 1992-95, Osborne earned Southern Conference Freshman of the Year honors. Osborne earned his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Marshall in 1996. He received his master's degree in sport management from the University of Georgia in 1998. He is married to former Janey Wheeler. The couple has a seven-month old daughter, Ellason Grace.

06/20/06		College games to rule airwaves on Sept. 3 (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact June 20, 2006 College football, with the help of ESPN and Fox Sports Net, is stepping in to fill the NFL void Sept. 3. With the NFL waiting until the following weekend to open its season, ESPN and Fox Sports are treating the first Sunday in September like a college football Saturday. The University of Memphis and Ole Miss kick off the day at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN from Oxford, Miss. Former Conference USA member TCU, which went 11-1 and won the Mountain West Conference, plays Baylor at 4:30 on Fox Sports Net. And the annual Louisville-Kentucky battle, known as The Governor's Cup, follows the Memphis-Ole Miss game at 7 p.m. on ESPN. Like the Tigers-Rebs matchup, the Cardinals-Wildcats game was moved from Saturday, Sept. 2. Florida State and Miami will cap the college-dominated weekend by playing Monday night on ESPN. For Memphis, it will be the first of two Sunday games on ESPN. In early November, the Tigers host Southern Miss in a C-USA game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The game will precede a key conference battle against defending East Division champion Central Florida the following Saturday, also at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. While the change in dates will create bunched game-week preparations for UCF, Tiger coach Tommy West said it's worth the minor inconvenience. "It doesn't bother me," West said. "You lose a day, but the day we'll lose is our Sunday practice, and there isn't a whole lot to that. "So we'll take Monday (the team's usual off day) and then go from Tuesday like we normally do." West said the opportunity to play on ESPN lends credibility to a program that has made it a habit to perform before national audiences the past three seasons. By season's end, the Tigers will have appeared on ESPN or ESPN2 10 times during the past three years. "I don't think you can put a price tag on the national exposure our program is getting," West said. "I think the exposure has really helped." And it's particularly welcome this season, the first in four in which All-America running back DeAngelo Williams, a first-round pick of the Carolina Panthers, won't be in the backfield. "It shows that (ESPN) thinks we have a good program, that we're not a one-man show," West said.

06/19/06		Men's Tennis Adds Huning As An Assistant Coach -- Former Division II four-time All-American to join staff as a volunteer assistant coach (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis men's tennis team named Tobias Huning a volunteer assistant coach for the upcoming 2006-07 season it was announced by Tiger Head Coach Paul Goebel, Monday. "We are very honored to have a volunteer assistant of Tobi's caliber," Goebel said. "He excelled at the highest levels of junior and college tennis and competed with the best players in the world. Our players are fortunate to have a guy like him around, he'll challenge them immediately with his standard of tennis." Huning played collegiate tennis for three years at Lander University in South Carolina, where he was a three-time NCAA All-American (1999, 2000, 2001) and a two-time NCAA Academic All-American (2000 and 2001) while helping Lander to two NCAA Division II Championships (1999 and 2000). Huning graduated from Lander in 2001 with a degree in business administration with a concentration in economics and finance and transferred to Valdosta State University in Georgia in the fall of 2001. There, he teamed with Marco Borges and the duo spent time as the No. 1 ranked doubles team in NCAA Division II tennis, winning the 2001 ITA National Small College Division II Doubles Championship Title in Plano, Texas, and the 2001 ITA Men's Tennis Southeast Regional Doubles Championship. Huning would earn his fourth NCAA All-American honor while on the Valdosta State roster. He received his MBA in Management from Valdosta in 2004. A native of Wuelfrath, Germany, Huning played No. 1 singles and doubles at both Lander and Valdosta State, and was the No. 2 ranked singles player in the country for a stint during his four-year career. He then served as an assistant coach at Valdosta, where he helped the men's team to a Gulf South Conference runner-up finish in 2002 and 2003 and a team championship in 2004 and the women's team to a national championship tournament berth (2004). Huning has also spent some time on the professional tennis circuit, attaining his highest singles ranking of 948 and his top doubles ranking of 458. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Management at the University of Memphis through the Fogelman College of Business and Economics. The Tiger men's tennis team returns just three letterwinners for the upcoming 2006-07 season. The team added three high school signees during the early signing period and hopes to add more players before the academic year begins.

06/18/06		Shawne Williams is weak. Really weak (Memphis Edge)
		Chad Ford gets on my nerves as much as any guy in print. I'm not sure why. I've never even met the guy. But something about being Mr. NBA Draft just rubs me the wrong way. Still, the guy works hard. There's no denying this. And the latest bit of evidence came by him obtaining all the scores from the "athletic" test the NBA gives potential draft picks. Among Ford's findings were some interesting tidbits involving former University of Memphis standouts Rodney Carney and Shawne Williams. Carney, apparently, was not the best athlete in college basketball last year despite John Calipari insisting so during every national interview. That honor, at least in the NBA's eyes, goes to North Carolina's David Noel. Carney actually graded-out fifth, though he had the fastest three-quarters-court sprint time. The real shocker was that Carney was sixth in max vertical leap, only jumping 38.5 inches. UCLA's Jordan Farmar was first with a max vertical leap of 42 inches. For Williams, the whole thing was a disaster. He was the only guy among the top prospects who could not bench press 185 pounds even once. Yikes. To put this into perspective, consider that Duke's Shelden Williams did it 25 times and Arkansas' Ronnie Brewer, a guard, did it 19 times.

06/18/06		Comforts of home lured ex-Razorback to Memphis (Commercial Appeal)
		As long as he's able to walk past the University of Memphis football office without being asked to walk on at tight end, Jordan Payne will become a member of the Tiger golf program this fall. Payne, 6-5 and 250 pounds, is transferring from the University of Arkansas to the UofM. A former standout at West Memphis High, Payne, 19, played last season as a freshman for the Razorback golf team. He opened his Arkansas career by finishing in a tie for 30th at the Coca-Cola Tournament of Champions at Holston Hills Country Club in Knoxville, but said ''after that it went downhill.'' He said he's looking forward to returning to the Mid-South area and playing closer to his West Memphis home. ''That's the biggest thing,'' Payne said. ''And (Memphis) recruited me when I was coming up in junior golf. I like coach (Grant) Robbins, and the golf courses they play (in Memphis) are nice.'' Until he receives Payne's signed scholarship papers, Robbins isn't permitted to comment on Payne. Payne said he could have transferred to either Arkansas State or Arkansas-Little Rock, but the lure of playing a short drive from his home made Memphis his top choice. A three-time all-state selection in high school, Payne was the 2005 Arkansas state champion. He was an AJGA All-American in 2004 and 2005. With the Razorbacks last season, Payne played 24 rounds and had a stroke average of 75.7. He shot a low round of 68. While he's not familiar with any members of the Tiger golf team, he does have an understanding of the area's golf courses. He played in last month's U.S. Open qualifying at Ridgeway Country Club and the FedEx St. Jude Classic Monday qualifier at Big Creek. Payne missed advancing to the U.S. Open sectional qualifying by two strokes and missed an opportunity to earn one of four spots in the FESJC by a short, missed putt. Payne shot 68 in the FESJC Monday qualifier and missed the playoff by one shot. An Arkansas native, Payne said he has played ''five or six times'' with PGA Tour pro John Daly, whom he met when he was 15. Daly was born in Arkansas and has a residence in Memphis. ''I'm looking forward to coming to Memphis,'' Payne said. ''I'm looking forward to getting in the school and playing good.'' To reach reporter Phil Stukenborg, call 529-2543; e-mail: stukenborg@commercialappeal.com

06/17/06		Schoenrock gets extension to 2010 -- Tigers' improvement prompts reworked deal (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact June 17, 2006 University of Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson rewarded football coach Tommy West with a contract extension after he took his team to a third straight bowl game. Johnson did the same with basketball coach John Calipari, after he led the Tigers an Elite Eight appearance in March. Friday, Johnson recognized the job baseball coach Daron Schoenrock did in his second season -- a 19-game improvement -- by extending his contract through 2010. Schoenrock led the Tigers to a 32-28 record after a 13-42 inaugural season. The Tigers also finished fourth in the Conference USA standings behind perennial NCAA Tournament teams Rice, Houston and Southern Miss. Johnson said Schoenrock "has accomplished more in his first two seasons as Tigers baseball coach than we ever expected. ... The team was picked to finish near the bottom of Conference USA and actually placed fourth." Schoenrock came to the UofM after serving as an assistant under Ron Polk at Georgia and Mississippi State. "It was very nice and totally unexpected," Schoenrock said. "And I appreciate the university extending that thing a few years. "From a recruiting standpoint, it shows we are committed to keeping this staff intact. Continuity is important to any program." Schoenrock, 44, accelerated the UofM's turnaround with a solid recruiting class, which included freshman Scott McGregor, a second-team all-conference selection, and transfer outfielder Will Petersen, who hit .412 and made the C-USA All-Tournament team. Schoenrock said the contract extension and staff continuity are among the steps in building a program that participates annually in the NCAA Tournament. "Keeping the staff intact is a big piece of the puzzle," he said. "The next will be addressing our facility needs."

06/16/06		Jessica Jasis Earns Spot on National Team at 2006 USA Shooting National Championships -- Kentucky native moves up from National Development Squad on strength of win and second place finish at National Championships (GoTigersGo.com)
		FORT BENNING, Ga. - On the strength of a win in junior women's air rifle and a second place finish in women's air rifle at the 2006 USA Shooting Rifle and Pistol National Championships held at Fort Benning, Ga., rising sophomore Jessica Jasis (Dycusburg, Ky.) earned a spot on the U.S. National Team, Thursday. Jasis shot a 788 qualifying score, plus a 101.0 in the final in women's air rifle for an 889.0 total. With her Thursday win in the junior division and second place finish in the women's division, Jasis will move from the National Development Team to the National Team. National Team members receive training, which is supported by the USAS and USOC funds. Some shooters are selected to compete in International Shooting Sports Foundation (ISSF) World Cups, providing they meet certain performance standards. All National Team members are also eligible to compete in the U.S. Shooting Team selection matches, which determine the roster for the ISSF Championships that year. Jasis already has some national competition under her belt, having competed in the Czech Republic in 2005, where she received a team bronze medal in smallbore rifle. Jasis made her first splash in US Shooting competition in April of 2005 when she defeated a 2004 Olympian while winning the women's air rifle at the USA Shooting National Junior Olympic Rifle Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo. That win earned her a spot on the National Development team. Each year, there are one or more international-level events for which USA Shooting must select a team. Rotating on a four-year cycle that caps with the Olympics, the first year events following an Olympic year include the Championships of the Americas and the World Clay Target Championships. The second year of the cycle includes the World Shooting Championships and the third year includes the Pan American Games and the World Clay Target Championships leading up to the Olympics. International shooting is the only style of shooting used in the Olympic Games and evolved from the European aristocratic tradition of shooting. Men's and women's air rifle became a part of the Olympic roster in 1984 and men's and women's air pistol debuted in 1988. In three-position rifle, which is the event Jasis earned her spot to the national team in, athletes fire a .22 caliber smallbore rifle from the prone, standing and kneeling positions at targets 50 meters away. The bullseye is 10.4 millimeters in diameter, smaller than a dime. Women's sport rifles weight up to 12 pounds and women have two hours and 15 minutes to shoot all three positions, 20 rounds per position for a total of 60 shots. The top eight performers advance to a 10-shot final round, fired from the standing position with 75 seconds allotted per shot. The final is calculated to the tenth of a point and added to the match point score to determine the winner. A perfect score in the finals round is a 109.

06/16/06		Memphis Extends Daron Schoenrock's Contract Through 2010 -- Tigers award baseball coach for 19-game turnaround in 2005-06 (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - After orchestrating a 19-game improvement in just his second season and finishing fourth in the regular season in Conference USA, the University of Memphis decided to extend the contract of baseball head coach Daron Schoenrock it was announced, Friday. The extension means Schoenrock will be at the head of the program through the 2010 season. Schoenrock took over the Tigers in the 2004-05 season and promptly went to work on the recruiting trail, bringing 25 newcomers into the Tiger program, including five major league draftees, four four-year college transfers, a junior college Player of the Year and 12 high school standouts, including seven from the Memphis area. "Coach Schoenrock has accomplished more in his first two seasons as the Tigers' baseball coach than we ever expected," said Athletic Director R.C. Johnson. "With just one recruiting class under his belt, Coach Schoenrock and his staff more than doubled the number of victories from year one to season two when they finished with a 32-28 record. The team was picked to finish near the bottom of Conference USA and actually placed fourth in the regular season and the C-USA Tournament." Included in that first signing class were freshman Scott McGregor, a second team All-Conference USA and an All-Freshman team honoree after leading the team in wins (seven), innings pitched (80.0), strikeouts (50) and starts (14), and transfer Will Peterson, a member of the C-USA All-Tournament Team. Peterson hit .412 with four runs scored, three doubles and four RBI in the Conference USA championships and was among the regular season leaders in runs (64, fourth), doubles (22, fourth), hits (85, seventh) and total bases (137, seventh). A total of three Tigers earned All-Conference USA honors following the 2006 season, led by Adam Amar's first team honors. Amar led the league in batting (.395) and ranked among the league leaders in eight other categories. K.K. Chalmers was also a second-team honoree, after leading the league in steals and ranking in the top 11 in the conference in triples (6), runs scored (61) and walks (32). His 39 steals tied the Memphis single season record set by Dave Anderson in 1981. The three All-Conference USA honors was a first for Memphis, and the team's semifinal appearance at the league championships was its first since 2001. "I am very excited with the opportunity that the University of Memphis has given me and my family to remain in Memphis through 2010," Schoenrock said. "As we continue to build Memphis into a national program, our staff continuity is important. (Memphis) has shown commitment to help our staff continue to build this program." Schoenrock was also charged with rebuilding the program's profile in local prep circles and his second recruiting class of six members already consists of five Mid-South area signees. "Given this type of rapid achievement, I see the baseball team returning to the level of success it experienced in years past," Johnson said. "I fully expect that Coach Schoenrock and his squad will contend for the Conference USA Championship and in the NCAA Tournament in the very near future."

06/16/06		Jersey prep Robinson sold on Cal, style of play (Commercial Appeal)
		By Gary Parrish Contact June 16, 2006 On paper it appears the University of Memphis is nearly finished recruiting even before the all-important July evaluation period begins. With this week's commitment from Jeff Robinson, a 6-6 wing from New Jersey, the Tigers currently project to having 12 scholarship players on their 2007-08 roster, meaning only one scholarship remains for rising seniors. Crisis, right? Only if you pay attention to such things. Rest assured John Calipari does not, which is why he and his staff will continue targeting Class of 2007 prospects and likely over-sign in November. For proof, consider that Shawne Williams, Sean Banks, Ivan Lopez, Tank Beavers, Ricky Sanchez, Kendrick Perkins, Keena Young, Michael Ford and Darius Washington each projected at one point to be Tigers in what would be this upcoming season. However, none of those guys will be in uniform -- the one possible exception being Washington, but only if he is not selected in this month's NBA Draft and then opts to return to school. As for the newest commitment, he picked Memphis for the same reasons as seemingly every other recruit who picks Memphis. "I like the style of play," Robinson said. "And I like coach Calipari." Robinson accepted the U of M's scholarship over reported offers from, among others, Connecticut, Indiana and Miami. Most recruiting analysts consider him a borderline Top 100 prospect whose hard-nosed approach and athletic ability will allow him to flourish in the Tigers' up-and-down style of play. "That's what the coaches told me too," Robinson said. "They said they think I can be a combination of (former Memphis standout) Rodney Carney and (former Texas standout) P.J. Tucker."

06/15/06		Tigers Name Kevin Robinson Head Men's Track and Field Coach -- Former Tiger Takes Reins of Men's Track Program (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - In its first job search for a men's track coach in 36 years, the University of Memphis athletic department promoted one of its own with the hiring of Kevin Robinson as the new men's track and field head coach it was announced Thursday. Robinson, a former Tiger thrower, assumes the head coaching position from his coach, Glenn Hays, who retired after 36 seasons this spring. "I am pleased to announce that Kevin Robinson has accepted the position of head men's track coach at the University of Memphis," said Tiger Athletic Director R.C. Johnson. "Kevin has proven his ability as a track coach by leading our field event athletes to record-setting performances over the past four years while serving as our assistant track coach. His throwers have excelled at both the conference and national level and I'm sure we will now see the same standard among our runners. I would like to thank Associate Athletic Director Lynn Parkes and her committee for the outstanding work they did in both finding qualified candidates for this position and screening those applicants. Through their hard work, the University had an excellent pool of candidates to select from." Robinson has already guided Tiger student-athletes to 12 C-USA titles, 19 school records and 45 all-conference performances in his previous four years as an assistant coach. He has also guided three student-athletes to NCAA Championship appearances, with two earning All-America honors. In just his first year back at his alma mater, Robinson coached three individuals to five C-USA titles, five school records and three regional qualifiers in four events. He also guided former Tiger Gaute Myklebust to the 2003 C-USA Male Outdoor Athlete of the Year, while Lisa-Marie Hyman won a C-USA Championship and earned an Academic All-America honor. In 2004, Robinson's field student-athletes again filled the season with accolades, as Myklebust was again named Co-Athlete of the Year, adding three conference titles and an NCAA Mid-East Regional discus championship and setting the school record in the process. That finish was the highest-ever finish for a Memphis thrower at the NCAA meet and made Myklebust the first Memphis All-American in over 20 years. On the women's side in Robinson's second year, Hyman continued the record-setting, placing second in the triple jump at the conference indoor meet, setting a Memphis record in the process. The field event athletes also set two other school records in the heptathlon and the pentathlon. In 2005, Robinson guided Tiger field athletes to six school records, three C-USA titles, four runner-up finishes, a C-USA Freshman of the Year honor, two NCAA Championship appearances and the women's program's first-ever All-American accolade. Thrower Gail Lee was responsible for many of those accomplishments, as she broke indoor records in both the shot and the weight throw, won the C-USA Championship in the weight throw and a runner-up honor in the shot. Lee also qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships and earned All-America honors in the shot put. J.D. Erickson and Janon Busby each added conference titles and runner-up finishes, while Chen Edri broke three school records and earned the title of C-USA Female Freshman of the Year. Hyman put up a runner-up finish in the outdoor triple jump, in addition to making her first trip to the NCAA Championships. This past season, Robinson's athletes added six more U of M records, two C-USA titles and four runner-up finishes, while qualifying seven field-event competitors for the NCAA Mid-East Regionals. Lee made her second trip to the NCAA Championships in the shot put after winning the league championship in the event, while Erickson picked up his second-consecutive C-USA crown in the indoor shot put and finished second in the event outdoors. Brandon Winbush, Sivan Aballi and Susan King also added runner-up finishes in the long jump, discus and shot put, respectively. The student-athletes Robinson has coached have also been successful off the track with Myklebust earning Co-SIDA Academic All-District honors and the C-USA Scholar Athlete award in 2004, while Hyman was a Co-SIDA Academic All-America selection in 2004 and 2005 and was one of just six C-USA athletes to earn a C-USA Post-Graduate Scholarship. In addition, Aballi and Edri were recently named to the 2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District teams. Prior to his return to Memphis, Robinson was the assistant track and field coach at SIU-Carbondale, where he coached eight individual Missouri Valley Conference champions, who won a total of 13 titles and set three conference and six school records. He also guided nine NCAA qualifiers, two All-Americans and coached Brian Miller of New York Athletic Club to a fifth place finish in the USATF national championships. Miller finished the year with a ranking of fifth in the United States and 15th in the world. Robinson is no stranger to claiming honors and championships. As a sophomore, Robinson was named the C-USA Athlete of the Year at the indoor championships after winning the weight throw and finishing second in the shot put and provisionally-qualifying for the NCAA Indoor Championships in both events. A four-time C-USA athlete of the week award winner, Robinson qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 1997 and 1998 in seven combined events, including the weight throw, hammer throw, shot put and discus, competing in the shot both years. As a senior, he won C-USA indoor titles in the weight throw and hammer. He currently still owns school records in the indoor shot put (59-3.00") and the hammer (191-09"). In 1998, Robinson was named the National Strength and Condition Association (NSCA) strength and conditioning Athlete of the Year, and an NSCA All-American. That season, he finished 13th in the shot put at the NCAA championships with an effort of 57-4.25". He also qualified for Olympic trials in 2000 in both the shot put and weightlifting. In 2003, Robinson gained certification in CPR, AED and as an AFAA professional personal trainer. He has since become a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) by the NSCA. Robinson and his wife, Dawn, have two children, Sebastian and Tristan. They reside in Southaven, Miss.

06/15/06		Tiger Notes: Track, Football, Tennis (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact June 15, 2006 Assistant poised to get top track job University of Memphis assistant track coach Kevin Robinson, a former Tiger standout track athlete, is considered the leading candidate to replace longtime coach Glenn Hays, who retired this spring after 36 years at the school. Robinson, 31, could be named as early as today. Robinson was one of 13 candidates reviewed by a five-person search committee chaired by associate athletic director Lynn Parkes and one of three finalists interviewed for the position. Robinson, Western Illinois coach Michael Stevenson and University of New Orleans coach Willie Randolph were the finalists. Parkes would not comment on the process other than to say ''the university was pleased with the pool of candidates." Robinson has spent the past four seasons as the field events coach at the UofM, a successful run that included coaching thrower Gaute Myklebust to consecutive Conference USA Male Outdoor Athlete of the Year honors in 2003 and 2004. In 2005, he helped thrower Gail Lee become the first female All-American in school history after she qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships. Lee qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships this spring. Robinson, a 1998 UofM graduate, spent four years as an assistant track coach at Southern Illinois University before returning to Memphis. During his Tiger track career, he was named C-USA Athlete of the Year at the 1996 league indoor championships after winning the weight throw and finishing second in the shot put. As a track athlete and assistant, Robinson has spent nearly a decade at the UofM. "I know this program inside and out better than anyone anywhere," Robinson said. "I feel like I've turned half this program around and I'd like to have a shot to turn the other half around. "I know the strengths and weaknesses of the program. I know about the facilities. I know about the conference. And I know the athletes and all the administration." Schuh on Rimington list Tiger Stephen Schuh is one of 39 players on the Dave Rimington Trophy spring watch list, a collection of the top centers in college football. Schuh joined the program as a walk-on in 2003 and was presented a scholarship before the 2005 season. He started the team's final seven games last season and played every snap in the final three games. Donation deadline nears Associate athletic director Bill Lansden said donations to the Tiger Scholarship Fund must be received by June 30 in order for football and basketball season-ticket holders to retain their seat locations at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium and FedExForum. Landsen, who oversees the TSF, said seat selection for the upcoming Tiger basketball season will be held July 10 at FedExForum. "There is interest in the basketball and football program that we haven't had in a long time," Lansden said. "We're $800,000 ahead of where we were at this point last year in (TSF) donations." Odds and ends Lady Tiger track standout Gail Lee will participate in the shot put at next week's USA National Championships in Indianapolis. Lee automatically qualified for the event Robinson calls "the biggest pro/amateur track event in the U.S." ... The Lady Tigers' general softball camp set for Monday through Wednesday has been canceled because of low enrollment numbers, but the hitting and pitching camps will be held as scheduled beginning Monday. ... James Spence and Sam Withell ended the spring ranked 45th in the final Intercollegiate Tennis Association doubles rankings. Spence and Withell went 12-4 playing No. 1 doubles. -- Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543

06/15/06		Recruit says he'll sign with Tigers (Commercial Appeal)
		By Gary Parrish Contact June 15, 2006 The University of Memphis basketball program got its second commitment from the Class of 2007 late Wednesday when New Jersey wing Jeff Robinson committed to the school, according to a source close to the program. A 6-6 athlete, Robinson narrowed his choices to Memphis, Connecticut, Indiana and Miami last week. But ultimately he chose the Tigers, who have made him a priority all summer on the AAU circuit. Robinson is a borderline Top 100 prospect by most recruiting services. He's readily described as the type of run-and-jump recruit who will fit nicely into the UofM's up-and-down, high-pressure style of play. Will Bogan, a center from Missouri, is the Tigers' other current Class of 2007 pledge. Additional targets moving forward are Illinois point guard Derrick Rose, Texas forward Anthony Randolph, Ohio forward Alex Tyus and Raleigh-Egypt High point guard Maurice Miller, among others.

06/13/06		Tigers vs. Southern Miss moved to Sunday -- C-USA matchup to be shown on ESPN (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact June 13, 2006 University of Memphis football coach Tommy West has a new recruiting pitch: Come to the UofM, and he'll guarantee an opportunity to play on Sunday. Well, at least he can make that promise this season. Advertisement The UofM announced Monday its Nov. 4 Conference USA game against Southern Miss at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium has been moved to Sunday Nov. 5 to accommodate an ESPN national television audience, giving the Tigers two games on a day normally reserved for the NFL. The UofM opens the season on a Sunday, traveling to Oxford, Miss., Sept. 3., to play a non-conference game against Mid-South rival Ole Miss on ESPN. While the Ole Miss game, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m., will be held the weekend before the NFL season begins, the Tiger-Golden Eagle game will be played at 7 p.m. opposite an attractive NFL matchup: Indianapolis at New England on NBC. Tiger officials aren't complaining about the competition. Moving the Southern Miss game to Sunday gives the Tiger program additional national exposure in the first year after All-America running back DeAngelo Williams' departure. Memphis will play five nationally televised games, three (Ole Miss, Tennessee, Southern Miss) on ESPN and two on CSTV (Tulsa and UCF). "In the past, I would lobby the television guys to put one of our games on," said Tiger athletic director R.C. Johnson. "Now they are calling us. It tells me how far we've come as a program and what a great job Tommy has done." West, who replaced Rip Scherer after the 2000 season, has led the UofM to an unprecedented three consecutive bowl games. After having not been to the postseason in 32 years, the Tigers have played in the 2003 New Orleans Bowl, the 2004 GMAC Bowl and the 2005 Motor City Bowl. With the three scheduled ESPN games in 2006, the Tigers will have at least 10 ESPN or ESPN2 appearances in a three-year stretch (2004-06). From 1993 to 2003, the Tigers appeared on ESPN or ESPN2 only five times. "It's terrific," Johnson said. "Last year we got a lot of (national television exposure) because of DeAngelo. Good programs get on national television because they are good programs." Williams rushed for 6,026 yards (fourth in NCAA history) and ended his four-year career as college football's career all-purpose yardage leader (7,573). He was taken in the first round of April's NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers after helping the UofM to a 24-13 record the past three seasons. Johnson said ESPN officials discussed the Sunday night kickoff with him before the C-USA spring meetings in Destin, Fla., last month. ESPN carried Sunday night NFL football games from 1987 to 2005, but will take over Monday Night Football in 2006. NBC will take ESPN's Sunday night NFL time slot. Michael Humes, a spokesman for ESPN, said Monday the network was looking forward to offering college football in what had been a traditional NFL television window. "For years we had NFL Sunday Night Football within that particular time slot," Humes said. "We felt there was an opportunity to schedule a Sunday night football game when it became available. "College football is one of our most popular properties, and it has performed well in non-traditional time slots." ESPN begins a slate of Sunday night college games, all with 7 p.m. (Central) kickoffs, Oct. 15 when Boise State plays at New Mexico State. -- Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543 Tiger football revised 2006 schedule Date / Opponent (TV) / Time / S.3* / at Ole Miss (ESPN) / 3:30 / S.9 / Chattanooga / 7 p.m. / S.16 / at East Carolina / 5 p.m. / S.30 / Tennessee (ESPN#) / TBA / O.7 / at UAB / 6 p.m. / O.14 / Arkansas State / 1 p.m. / O.21 / Tulsa (CSTV) / 7 p.m. / O.28 / at Marshall / 3:30 / N.5* / So. Miss (ESPN) / 7 p.m. / N.11 / UCF (CSTV) / 7 p.m. / N.18 / Houston / 1 p.m. / N.25 / at UTEP / 8 p.m. / * -- Sunday games # -- ESPN or ESPN2

06/12/06		Tigers-Southern Miss moved to Sunday for ESPN (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact June 12, 2006 The University of Memphis�s season-opening football game against Ole Miss won�t be the program�s only Sunday appearance on ESPN. The Tigers also will play a Conference USA game Sunday night on ESPN against Southern Miss. Advertisement ESPN and C-USA officials confirmed early Monday afternoon that the U of M�s Nov. 4 game against Southern Miss, originally scheduled for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, will be held Nov. 5 beginning at 7 p.m. The additional national television game gives the Tigers three ESPN appearances (at Ole Miss Sept. 3 at 3:30 p.m., vs. Tennessee Sept. 30 TBA and Southern Miss). With CSTV games scheduled for Oct. 21 against C-USA East Division champion Tulsa and Nov. 11 against C-USA West Division champion UCF, the Tigers have five national TV games in the first year of the post-DeAngelo Williams Era. It�s a fact that isn�t lost on Tiger athletic director R.C. Johnson. "In the past I would lobby the television guys to put one of our games on," Johnson said. "Now they are calling us. It tells me how far we�ve come as a program and what a great job (coach) Tommy (West) has done." After having not been to a bowl game since 1971, the Tigers have made three straight appearances � the 2003 New Orleans Bowl, the 2004 GMAC Bowl and the 2005 Motor City Bowl. � Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543

06/12/06		Memphis-USM Football Game Changed to Sunday, Nov. 5 -- Tigers now slated for three ESPN broadcasts this season (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, TENN. - The Memphis-Southern Miss football game that was originally scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 4 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, has been changed to Sunday, Nov. 5 as announced Monday afternoon by officials from both universities. ESPN will broadcast the game with a kick-off slated for 7 p.m. CT. This is the second such announcement for Memphis in the last four days as the season opener with Ole Miss had been picked up for a Sunday, Sept. 3, broadcast by ESPN as announced last Friday. The Tigers are currently slated to appear on ESPN or CSTV five times this season. In addition to the USM and Ole Miss meetings, ESPN has scheduled the Sept. 30 meeting with Tennessee for a national broadcast. CSTV, which signed a long-term contract with Conference USA last season, is slated to air the Oct. 21 game with Tulsa and the Nov. 11 contest with UCF. "We are pleased that ESPN has chosen to broadcast several Tiger football games this season," said Memphis Athletic Director R.C. Johnson. "To have five games on national television this season is a tribute to Coach Tommy West and the program." This will be the 57th meeting between the Tigers and the Golden Eagles, and Memphis has won the last two contests. In 2005, the Memphis defeated USM in Hattiesburg en route to receiving a bid to the Motor City Bowl.

06/12/06		General Session of Lady Tiger Softball Camp Cancelled -- Team's hitting and pitching camp will occur as scheduled beginning Monday (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Due to low enrollment numbers, the June 19-21 session of the General Lady Tiger Softball camp has been cancelled. The camp was originally scheduled to take place at Greenbrook Park in Southaven, Miss. The team's pitching and hitting camps will go on as scheduled beginning on Monday morning.

06/11/06		Tiger's optimism guarded -- Washington starting to win over skeptics (Commercial Appeal)
		By Ronald Tillery Contact June 11, 2006 ORLANDO --- Wearing an alien No. 15 and with the heavy burden of critics reaching at every dribble, Darius Washington Jr. began another chapter in his basketball career with his eyes wide open and determination stamped across his face. Washington never viewed his first major NBA draft audition as starting over, despite the pedestrian path he's been forced to take. He arrived at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex with one goal: To impose his will in hopes of pushing a few buttons and tugging at the strings tied to his destiny. "All my life I've been doubted, and every time I've proved the critics wrong," said Washington, 20. "Eventually, they have to jump on the bandwagon. I say you have to force-feed them. They eventually have to say they were wrong. I'm just going to let my play do the talking. That will change a lot of minds and a lot of fingers from typing the wrong thing." The consensus when the NBA's pre-draft camp concluded is that Washington did exactly what he had to during three games in the Milk House gymnasium. He put together a good week. In total, Washington connected on 12-of-17 shots, including 5-of-8 from beyond the 3-point arc. He averaged 21 minutes and 10.4 points -- a showing capped by 10 points and six assists in 22 minutes last Friday. Washington easily emerged as the best point guard in a camp with higher ranked players such as UCLA's Jordan Farmar and Iowa State's Will Blalock. "Hopefully," Washington said, "I'll get positive feedback, and I can stay in (the draft). I've been trying to show what I can do and then do what everybody says I can't do. This week will weigh heavily." And not just on Washington. He gave NBA general managers and coaches something to think about. They wanted to see Washington consistently play under control and make good decisions. He did just that, and it would be difficult to find any observer who believed Washington didn't solidify his draft status. One prominent GM predicted that Washington would be drafted late in the first round. Washington displayed potential that goes beyond his NBA-ready body (6-2, 195 pounds), quickness and scoring ability. Those are expected ingredients. Washington, though, made strides in areas considered where he is considered weak. He proved he can run a team and play active, disruptive defense. "He has a great sense of what to do," said Grizzlies assistant coach Mitchell Anderson, who coached Washington during the pre-draft camp. "He has the ability. "Coaches wanted to see if he's mature enough to run a team. All it takes is one team to like you. There are a lot of teams looking for guard play -- backup guards to develop -- and he has potential. He can play in the league." Washington, who has not hired an agent, can decide by next Sunday if he will remain in the draft or return for his junior year at the University of Memphis. Voice of support Noticeably absent from the camp was the person who will help Washington make up his mind, Darius Sr. Holding a credential to attend the camp, Darius Sr. instead never appeared and went to work for the City of Winter Park as an assistant recreation director. He manages community centers. Darius Sr.'s way of managing this part of his son's life was to relieve some pressure. So Darius Jr. just packed his father's advice in his brain and picked up his gym bag. "Why go?" Darius Sr. wondered aloud. "So everybody could say this and that about his dad? He's his own man. I don't have to be there every step. I'm not a parent that's caught up. I don't pamper my kid. When he comes home he does chores. "But he knows I support him. And I get a bad rap for that -- being a man that's standing behind his child. People say his dad is overbearing and is trying to live his dream through his kid. But the story doesn't start with Darius. It starts with me being a hard-headed kid who wouldn't listen. If anyone wants to talk about someone having a bad attitude, it's me. I tell Darius if you want to be successful let me tell you what not to do." No one is more in Darius Jr.'s corner than Darius Sr. -- a 37-year-old former basketball player who has missed only one of his son's games since the seventh grade. "He's always there even if it's good or bad," Darius Jr. said. "He always tells me the truth. And it's not just my dad. It's my mom, too. Both are very supportive parents. My mom is just laid back." And proactive, too. Before Darius Jr. became a new father (Darius III is 5 months old), his mother, Tarchelle, moved to Memphis to help take care of the expecting mom throughout the pregnancy. Before declaring for the draft, Darius Jr. sat down with his parents and weighed the pros and cons. His parents' blessing made the decision easy and clear. "Right now, I'm going full speed ahead," Darius Jr. said. "School is an option. But if I wanted to go back to school, I wouldn't have put my name in the draft. My reason for putting my name in the draft is not to go back to school. That's with anybody. Everybody in that gym isn't here just to be here. Everybody is trying to fulfill their dream. I feel like it's time for me to fulfill mine." Darius Jr. insists that his early entry into the draft has nothing to do with his new responsibilities. "They are going to be taken care of regardless," Darius Jr. said of his child and his mother. "It makes me play harder knowing I have a family of my own to support. But that's not pressure. Pressure is everyday life. People have more pressures than me. "Sometimes I sit back and think, if I'm having a bad day, that somebody is having a worse day. Some people got to wake up and go to two or three jobs. I'm trying to make my job basketball, so I'm taking advantage of my opportunities. When it's over, I want to say to myself that I gave it all I had." Like father, like son. Darius Sr. is paying for every cent of his son's exploration with the NBA draft. He's reportedly forked over at least $6,000 for workouts at IMG Academy. Washington's family paid for his expenses to work out for the Houston Rockets, and will pay for upcoming sessions at New Jersey and Toronto. Darius Sr. said he's following every rule to protect his son's NCAA eligibility. The NCAA allows the NBA to pay for the league's pre-draft camp without any impact on a player's college eligibility. If Washington chose to return to school, he would go through the process of proving he paid up front for the expenses. "If (the NCAA) wants to look at my bank account, they can," Darius Sr. said. "They can look at whatever. I've got everything documented. It's not to the point where it's hurt me. My lights aren't off yet. "Of course, I'm going to look for a cheaper ticket. I might put him in a nice hotel. But he's not a greedy kid. He's not trying to be like those who have agents. He knows this is on our budget." Darius Sr. scoffs at the notion that he's acting like an agent. In fact, he's already turned several away for the sole purpose of preserving his son's amateur status. "I haven't negotiated anything," Darius Sr. said. "There are professionals who do that. I'm not an agent and don't have aspirations to be one. I just said to Darius that if you feel it in your heart, I'm behind you all the way." Talk to Darius Jr. long enough and it's clear that he hangs on his dad's every word. The key ingredient to their relationship is honesty. Perhaps the most difficult truth Darius Jr. heard from his dad had to do with his draft status. Darius Jr. didn't believe he needed to attend the pre-draft camp. He wanted to turn down the invitation like many of talented prospects do nowadays. Darius Sr., though, insisted his son had plenty to prove. "That was something that was done at home," Darius Sr. said. "Darius is the kind of kid who always asks why. I told him you have to make it happen. I told him to go in there and let these people see what you can do. He's a good kid. You tell him to do something, he's going to do it. It wasn't a shock to me that he went in there and did what he did." Turning heads Before Washington arrived in Orlando, he spent time training with former NBA head coach John Lucas and Grizzlies point guard Damon Stoudamire in Houston at Rice University. He's worked out with or spoken with his cousin, Chucky Atkins, Vince Carter and other NBA players. "All of those guys have given me knowledge of the game," Washington said. "They all want to see me make it." Before now, Washington had been considered a long shot. He wasn't high on a lot of draft boards. Some NBA prognosticators wondered whether Washington would be drafted. One of the most viewed web sites is nbadraft.net, which at times hasn't included Washington but now has him going in the second round (56th overall) to Toronto. Expect that to change. "Each year, there's always a sleeper. The projections change every day," said Washington, who talks with Memphis teammates and draft hopefuls Shawne Williams and Rodney Carney weekly. "How can one day a guy be fifth and the next he's 30th? Unfortunately, a lot of people look at that web site. But each day somebody is discovered. Gilbert Arenas (of the Washington Wizards) was taken in the second round and look at him now." The harsh reality of the NBA's pre-draft camp is that if you're playing there, you're likely not a first-round prospect. So Washington knew he had to answer questions of being able to display conventional point guard skills. He's more of a combo guard because Washington is too small to play shooting guard in the NBA despite owning a quick first step and a strong body. Critics believe that his second season with Memphis exposed weaknesses but Tigers coach John Calipari worked the gymnasium like a campaigning politician. "I want these players to chase their dream," Calipari said of Carney, Williams and Washington, who owned the highest academic marks on his roster. "They want to see if he can run a team, and I think he can." On-court decision-making has been the knock on him throughout his college career, but it wasn't during the camp. He set up teammates in good position to score around the basket with crisp passes. Washington calmly sank open jump shots and struck a nice balance between looking for his own shot and involving teammates. His shortcoming was gambling too much on defense. Then again, coaches tend to like mistakes born out of aggression. "He's got great quickness. He's played well against top competition," said Marty Blake, NBA's director of scouting. "I certainly like to see kids stay in school. But he's an outstanding ball-handler, and he has a chance to play in the NBA. There is no impact player but this is a very deep draft despite what some people will tell you." So how does Washington sum up the beginning of his odyssey as No. 15 and an early entrant in the NBA draft? "I'm going to prove," he said, "that I belong." -- Ronald Tillery: 529-2353

06/10/06		Panthers Williams, Howard to host camp for kids -- July event offers ex-Tigers opportunity to give back (Commercial Appeal)
		By Gary Parrish Contact June 10, 2006 Committed to giving back, former University of Memphis football players Reggie Howard and DeAngelo Williams will host the first annual Professional and Sports Leadership Camp on July 7-8 at Kirby High. "This is purely from their hearts because they want to contribute back to their communities," said camp director Anthony Flynn. "That's truly what it is. They love this." The camp is for football players in grades 6-12, and there is also a cheerleading camp for grades 6-9. Registration is $25, but a limited number of scholarships will be awarded on a financial-need basis. All campers will receive food, beverages, a T-shirt and souvenirs, as well as autographs from what Flynn said were "about 15 to 20" NFL veterans scheduled to attend. Beyond Williams and Howard -- now teammates with the Carolina Panthers -- Flynn said players like Mike McKenzie (Saints), DeShaun Foster (Panthers), Bryant McKinnie (Vikings) and All-Pro defensive end Julius Peppers (Panthers) have given verbal commitments. "Anything can happen," Flynn acknowledged. "But a lot of guys have legitimately said they will be here." All proceeds from the camp will benefit the Reggie Howard Foundation (reggiehowardfoundation.org) and the DeAngelo Williams Foundation (deangelowilliams.org). To register and get more information, visit either Web site, or e-mail romeo@camppros.com. -------------------- Professional and Sports Leadership Camp What: A football camp hosted by former Tigers and current Carolina Panthers DeAngelo Williams and Reggie Howard When: July 7-8 Where: Kirby High More information: Go to reggiehowardfoundation.org or deangelowilliams.org

06/09/06		Sunday afternoon kickoff for Tigers, Rebs (Commercial Appeal)
		By Marlon W. Morgan Contact June 9, 2006 For the second straight season, Ole Miss and the University of Memphis will kick off their football seasons in front of an ESPN national television audience. Both schools announced Thursday that the season opener has been moved to Sunday, Sept. 3 and will start at 3:30 p.m. to accommodate ESPN. The game had been scheduled for Sept. 2. The game is a chance for both programs to gain some national exposure. Ole Miss will undoubtedly use the opportunity to showcase senior all-American linebacker Patrick Willis, a Butkus Award candidate. Meanwhile, the Tigers hope to show they have plenty of talent left despite the departure of running back DeAngelo Williams, a first-round draft pick of the Carolina Panthers. ''Any time we can put our team on ESPN, I'm all for it,'' Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron said. ''I'm all for the exposure.'' There had been talks of playing the game on Labor Day, but with a game at Missouri the following Saturday (Sept. 9), Orgeron was not in favor of h