Trip's Tigers: News Archives July 2007

07/31/07		John Calipari Basketball School Finale Set For Aug. 6-8 -- Camp runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (CT) daily (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The youth asked for it, and University of Memphis basketball head coach John Calipari is providing it. After holding four sessions of the 2007 John Calipari Basketball School in June, it is adding one additional camp, which is set for Aug. 6-8 at the Larry O. Finch Center on the University of Memphis campus. This session runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (CT) daily, and the cost is $125. If campers attended an earlier session this summer, the cost is only $100. This camp will not provide lunch, so campers will have to bring their own lunch each day. To register for the camp, go on-line at www.coachcalipari.com, contact the men's basketball office at 901-678-2346, or email Coordinator of Basketball Operations Andy Allison at aalison@coachcalipari.com.

07/31/07		C-USA preseason kicks off (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact July 31, 2007 NEW ORLEANS -- It won't be the star-studded, three-day affair Southeastern Conference Football Media Days was last week in Hoover, Ala., with hundreds of media members, but today's Conference USA 2007 Football Blitz in The Big Easy will have its share of intriguing figures and storylines. Tulane (Bob Toledo), Rice (David Bailiff), UAB (Neil Callaway) and Tulsa (Todd Graham) will send first-year coaches, although Graham is familiar to C-USA and its media day activities. Graham is a former Tulsa assistant who spent last year as Rice's head coach before he replaced Steve Krag-thorpe, who left for Louisville. Several all-American candidates will answer questions from media representatives, the most prominent being Rice receiver Jarett Dillard, who caught 91 passes for 1,247 yards and a nation-leading 21 touchdowns and earned Associated Press second-team honors last year. Southern Miss running back Damion Fletcher, who rushed for 1,388 yards and 11 touchdowns a year ago, was a second-team freshman All-America selection. C-USA commissioner Britton Banowsky, a former associate commissioner in the Big 12, will be in the spotlight, too. He remains a candidate for the vacant Big 12 commissioner's job. Memphis will be represented by coach Tommy West, beginning his seventh season at the UofM, and by senior quarterback Martin Hankins and senior running back Joe Doss. Hankins is the league's third-leading returning quarterback in pass-efficiency ratings, and Doss is among the top returning backs after rushing for 910 yards and seven touchdowns. Memphis is coming off a two-win season after three straight bowl appearances, but nearly upset league champion Houston in the home finale and closed the season with a convincing win at UTEP. As for Banowsky, the Big 12 job opened when Kevin Weiberg resigned in June to become vice president of the Big Ten's new television network. Others being mentioned for the job include the league's senior associate commissioner, Dan Beebe. Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson also has been mentioned. -- Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543

07/30/07		Tigers Announce 2007 Cross Country Schedule -- Tigers compete in-state twice (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn.-The University of Memphis Cross Country Coach Mike Powers announced the 2007 schedule for Memphis' men's and women's cross country teams, today. The Tigers open the season on Sept. 3, as both teams travel to the University of Western Kentucky to compete in the Old Timers Classic. The teams will travel to the University of Arkansas-Little Rock on Sept. 22, to compete at the UALR Open. The Tigers then will return to Memphis for two races. Memphis is scheduled to participate in the Rhodes College Invitational on Sept. 29, before competing in the Brooks Memphis Twilight Classic, held on Oct. 5 at the Mike Rose Complex. The Tigers compete in their final race of the regular season at the University of Evansville on Oct. 13. Memphis will then take a week off before traveling to Santa Teresa, N.M. for the C-USA Championships hosted by UTEP on Oct. 27. NCAA action takes off at the South Regional Championships held at the University of Florida on Nov. 10. This year the NCAA Championships will be held in Terre Haute, Ind. hosted by Indiana on Nov.19.

07/30/07		Rising Programs: No. 10 Memphis (Rivals.com)
		Kendall Rogers Rivals.com College Baseball Editor Talk about the Rising Programs Countdown in The Clubhouse With fall workouts in the not too distant future, we continue our inside look at many programs around the country. In our latest series, we breakdown the nation's Top 10 Rising Programs. Though the top spot won't be unveiled until next week, we begin the countdown with one of the best stories in college baseball - No. 10 Memphis. When coach Daron Schoenrock took the reins of the Memphis program, they were in bad shape. In his first season, Schoenrock guided the Tigers to a 13-42 finish. However, year two was a much different story with the Tigers finishing 32-28 in 2006. In 2007, the Tigers earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Once considered a perennial cellar dweller, Memphis is now a program on the rise. Rising Programs: No. 10 Memphis Why are they rising? When coach Daron Schoenrock arrived at Memphis, he inherited a poor program with inferior facilities. Schoenrock and the Tigers still haven't been able to solve the facility issue, but major improvements have occurred on the baseball diamond. In Schoenrock's first season in Memphis, he guided the Tigers to a dismal 13-42 record. But after just one season with the program, Schoenrock began to turn the tide by leading the Tigers to a 32-28 record and a fifth place conference finish in 2006. After impressing observers in '06, the Tigers took yet another step in 2007. Schoenrock and Memphis still have much work to do, but their plan for success has been implemented in just three seasons. 2007 Year in Review After surprising many with a record above .500 in 2006, the Tigers entered 2007 with even more to prove. They also upgraded their schedule in hopes of reaching the NCAA Tournament at the end of the year. That plan worked like a charm. While injuries caused depth issues for the pitching staff, the Tigers still managed to put together an impressive campaign. Memphis ended the year with a 36-27 overall record. They also finished fourth in Conference USA with a 12-12 record. In one of the many debates surrounding the NCAA Tournament selections, the Tigers earned a postseason berth. Memphis failed to win a game in Nashville, but took another step toward possibly becoming a postseason regular. What the future holds Even with some major issues on the mound, the Tigers still managed to reach the postseason in 2007. While injuries took their toll on the pitching staff, coach Daron Schoenrock isn't one to make excuses. As the Tigers move forward, they should enter 2008 with a much improved pitching staff, thanks to the return of junior right-hander Scott McGregor and others. The Tigers also welcome back Brach Davis and Philip Utley, who each missed most of last season because of injuries. While the pitching staff promises to be improved, the Tigers should once again have a powerful offense. In 2007, Memphis had a productive lineup with veteran Bill Moss and speedy outfielder K.K. Chalmers leading the charge. Moss is now in the professional ranks, but Chalmers' return should pay dividends for the Tigers. Schoenrock and Memphis also welcome a surprisingly talented recruiting class to campus in the fall. Kendall's analysis If you were to ask Memphis coach Daron Schoenrock if he was pleased with his program's progress, he'd probably say yes. However, the talented head coach would also note that his program can and will do more in the future. I got my first taste of Memphis during the 2006 Conference USA Tournament in Houston, Texas. There, I was thoroughly impressed with the Tigers' offense along with their coaching staff. It didn't take long to realize how the Tigers made one of the nation's most amazing turnarounds in just one season under Schoenrock. In 2007, the Tigers made even more of an impression when they reached the NCAA Tournament. Sure, they could've performed at a higher level at the Nashville Regional. But remember, this was a team with several pitchers on the shelf because of injuries. Overall, the State of Memphis baseball is good. However, the athletic administration must soon make a stronger commitment to upgrading their facilities. If they don't, another school will nab Schoenrock. Kendall Rogers is the college baseball editor for Rivals.com. He can be reached at kendall@rivals.com.

07/30/07		Tiger Baseball Tabbed One of Nation's Top-10 Program's on the Rise by Rivals.com -- Tigers recognized after back-to-back 30-win seasons (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - After producing one of the nation's biggest turnaround's in 2006, and following that up with the program's first NCAA Regional appearance in 13 years, Head Coach Daron Schoenrock has the Memphis baseball program moving in a positive direction. Those accomplishments have been recognized by rivals.com as the publication has tabbed Memphis as one of its Top-10 Programs on the Rise. Click here to see what rivals.com writer Kendall Rogers says about Memphis Tiger baseball.

07/30/07		Download Memphis Schedules to Outlook Calendar -- 2007 spring sports now available to download (GoTigersGo.com)
		Fans with Microsoft Outlook on their computers can download and install Memphis Tiger schedules into their calendar! 2007 schedules for football, men's and women's soccer and volleyball are now available to download with more sports being listed as the schedules become finalized. Links to the Outlook schedules can also be found at the top of each sports schedule page. --------------------------------------------- Download Sport Schedules To Microsoft Outlook Now fans with Microsoft Outlook on their computers can download and install Memphis Tiger schedules into their calendar! To download the file, just click on the sport below and choose the "Save to Disk" Option. After downloading the file, open Outlook and follow these directions for importing it into your calendar: * Select the File / Import and Export... Menu option. * Select "Import from another program or file" and click Next. * Select "Comma Separated Values (Windows)" and click Next. * Find the desired CSV file and select "Do not import duplicate items" and click Next. * Select Calendar and click Next. * The next window will have a title that says 'The following actions will be performed:' above an option to 'Import "(filename).csv" into folder: Calendar.' * Check that box and and click on 'Import "(filename).CSV" into folder: Calendar' * From there, click and drag needed fields from the left window into the right window. Its fairly self-explanatory, but the basic corresponding fields are below: SUBJECT to Subject START_DATE to Start Date START_TIME to Start Time END_TIME to End Time DESCRIPTION to Description LOCATION to Location And if you'd like Outlook to place a reminder: REMINDER_ON_OFF to Reminder On/Off * Click OK * Then Click Finish Sports Available (more coming soon): 2007-08 Composite 2007 Cross Country 2007 Football 2007 Men's Soccer 2007 Women's Soccer 2007 Volleyball

07/30/07		First Annual Adidas Mid-South Coaching Clinic Set For Sept. 14-16 -- Calipari, Brown, Knight highlight featured coaches at clinic (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The first annual adidas Mid-South Coaches Clinic is set for Sept. 14-16 in Tunica, Miss. Registration for the clinic -- which is being held at Grand Casino Resort -- starts at 4:00 p.m. (CT) on Sept. 14, with the first session to follow at 7:00 p.m. (CT). The weekend clinic ends on Sept. 16 at 10:45 a.m. (CT). Among the featured speakers scheduled to speak are Memphis coach John Calipari, Texas Tech coach Bobby Knight, Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon, Pepperdine coach Vance Walberg, Arkansas coach John Pelphrey, USF coach Stan Heath, Dallas Mavericks assistant Del Harris and Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown. To register on-line for the clinic, go to www.amsbcc.com, click on the appropriate tab on the navigation bar and follow the instructions. There are two weekend clinic packages at $200 (shared room; two double beds; maximum of three coaches per room) and $270 (single occupancy only; one double bed). The cost to attend the clinic with no hotel stay is $150. If coaches register on the day of the clinic (Sept. 14), the fee is $300. Included in the cost for out-of-town coaches is a shuttle service from the Memphis International Airport to Grand Casino Resort. The clinic's location is only 25 minutes from the airport. For more information, contact Andy Allison, Memphis basketball Coordinator of Basketball Operations, at 901-678-2346 or aallison@memphis.edu or Megan Baytos, project coordinator, at 901-752-0080 or cc@pmgusa.net.

07/29/07		U.S. Team Defeats Pamana 77-74 In Pan Am Games Action Sunday -- Dorsey has five points, three boards, three steals in victory (GoTigersGo.com)
		RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - After an 0-2 start, the United States bounced back to win three-straight contests at the 2007 Pan American Games, the last victory a 77-74 win over Panama to capture fifth place in the men's basketball competition. The U.S. avenged an earlier 75-67 setback to Panama on Thursday. The U.S. finished the Pan Am Games with a 3-2 record, while Panama was 2-3. Brazil (5-0 record) won the gold medal with an 86-65 win over Puerto Rico (3-2), which took home the silver. Uruguay (3-2) defeated Argentina (2-3) 99-93 in overtime to claim the bronze. University of Memphis' Joey Dorsey played 19 minutes and had five points, three rebounds and a game-high three steals. It was the third-straight game in which the Tigers' 6-foot-9 forward played double-digit minutes, and all were U.S. victories. The contest was tied at 20-all after the first quarter, but Panama rushed out to an 11-point halftime advantage at 43-32. The U.S. responded in the third period, cutting Panama's lead to two points at 56-54. The Americans out-scored Panama 23-18 in the fourth quarter to secure the victory. Derrick Low (Washington State) led the U.S. with 16 points, while Shan Foster (Vanderbilt) and D.J. White (Indiana) each added 14 points. White, Roy Hibbert (Georgetown) and Maarty Leunen (Oregon) each grabbed six rebounds to lead the U.S. on the glass. Dionisio Gomez and Danilo Pinnock each scored 17 points to lead Panama. For the first time at the 2007 Pan Am Games, the opposition out-rebounded the U.S., as Panama held a narrow 35-33 advantage on the glass. However, the Americans responded with a solid defensive effort, while shooting 50.9 percent from the floor. The U.S. held Panama to 39.4 percent from the field and forced them to turn the ball over 15 times.

07/29/07		Slimmer Doss prepared for a steady diet of carries (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact July 29, 2007 When he stepped on the scales last summer -- several weeks before the start of the University of Memphis's preseason football camp -- Joe Doss figured someone was playing a well-worn practical joke. Quickly, he turned around to see if a teammate was boosting the unexpected number with a mischievous foot. No culprits were in sight so Doss checked the scales again. The same, somewhat troubling total of 201 pounds appeared again. ''When I stepped on the scales, it scared me,'' Doss said. ''I thought someone else was standing on the scales with me. Usually when you go in the weight room and get on the scales someone puts their foot up there, but no one was there. ''I was shocked. I don't even think I told coach (Tommy West) I was that heavy.'' For Doss, a senior from Memphis, the total represented about 10 more pounds than he normally carries on his 5-9 frame. And the extra weight, according to West, robbed the team's starting running back of a gift that made him such a coveted signee coming out of Melrose High four years ago. Doss was unable to consistently make the first guy -- or the first defender attempting to make a tackle -- miss. It showed in film sessions and it was apparent in the team stats. After averaging 5.2 yards per carry as a sophomore, Doss saw his average dip to 4.1 yards per rush. When he returns for the opening of camp next month, Doss, last year's team-rushing leader with 910 yards, expects to be at his ideal playing weight (about 190 pounds), which should make him more elusive and more productive from the start. ''I feel like I'm much quicker and my reactions are faster,'' he said. ''Sometimes when you get a little heavy you can see things (and) while you want to react, your body doesn't react at the same time your eyes see (an opening). ''Being at the ideal weight, I can be quick. That's what I bring to the table. That's part of my game.'' Doss said he unexpectedly added the weight last summer while being a bit overzealous in the weight room. ''It wasn't eating,'' he said. ''My eating habits didn't change. It was more the way I worked out. I was always trying to do just heavy, heavy weight. I never gave myself time to condition my muscles with a lot of reps. I was always pushing myself to the limit, trying to max out every day.'' West wasn't surprised that Doss went overboard in the weight room. Doss was preparing for his first season as the starting running back, replacing all-American and school career-rushing leader DeAngelo Williams. Known for his strong work ethic, Doss was intent on proving he could handle the role as the team's feature back. His offseason focus and intensity slipped into overdrive. ''Whatever you're doing, he's going to do it at 100 percent,'' West said. ''I think he got too big in the weight room. It slowed him down a little bit. It took away a half a step of quickness. ''He's really good at putting his foot in the ground and making that one little move, that first step, the one we saw in Knoxville his sophomore year (76 yards on 17 carries against Tennessee) when he made those guys miss.'' Doss, who has recovered from a right posterior cruciate ligament injury suffered late in the spring, said he has spent this summer closely monitoring his workout routine and his weight, which has remained in the 190-195 range. He said he doesn't mind entering camp in the mid-190s because the preseason daily workouts, with their alternating mix of a two-a-day sessions, will rob him of at least a few pounds. The Tigers are scheduled to report Aug. 6, with camp beginning Aug. 7. ''I always thought I had to gain so much weight to take on (defensive) shots, but I kind of lost track of the fact my game is to avoid those shots,'' he said. ''My whole game plan is to make them miss.'' While a bit heavy, Doss said he felt fine physically to start the 2006 season. Doss opened by posting his first career 100-yard rushing game, gaining 112 yards on 23 carries against Ole Miss. He didn't reach the 100-yard mark again until late in the season, picking up 105 against Southern Miss. Memphis finished with a 2-10 record, snapping a string of three straight bowl appearances. ''I was kind of slow,'' Doss said. ''I could tell the difference when the weight started to shed. I could react quicker to what I saw.'' In nearly 30 years of college coaching, West said he's seen how a few extra pounds can disrupt a player's effectiveness. He said Williams, who finished his career as the NCAA record holder in all-purpose yards and 100-yard rushing games, encountered a similar weight issue during his career, ''Six or seven pounds can make a difference,'' West said. ''I can remember with DeAngelo, his best weight was 212. One spring he was 216 and he looked terrible. Four pounds doesn't seem like much, but on these guys' bodies, with no body fat, that's a lot of weight.'' Doss finished the year displaying more of his natural ability. He rushed for a career-high 133 yards against league champion Houston and scored three touchdowns in the finale at UTEP. In his last four games of the season, Doss, who averaged 75.8 yards per game for the year, averaged 95 yards per outing. Not blessed with outstanding breakaway speed, Doss's strength is gaining yards in chunks of 10, 12 and 14 yards and making that first guy miss. ''At the start of the year last year, it wasn't there,'' West said. ''Then the second half of the year he looked like himself.'' -- Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543 Tiger football key dates Monday: Conference USA 2007 Football Blitz from New Orleans, 5-7:30 p.m. on CSTV (Ch. 222 on Comcast digital cable) Tuesday: C-USA Media Day Aug. 6: Players report Aug. 7: First practice Aug. 25: Tiger Fan Fest, 3-5 p.m. at Park Avenue Campus Sept. 1: Season opener vs. Ole Miss, 2:30 p.m.

07/28/07		U.S. Pan Am Team Rolls To 84-58 Win Saturday -- Dorsey posts five points, nine boards in the victory (GoTigersGo.com)
		RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - The United States men's basketball team won its second-straight game at the 2007 Pan American Games Saturday, rolling to an easy 84-58 victory over the U.S. Virgin Islands in the consolation bracket. The Americans will play Panama in the fifth-sixth place game on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. (CT). Panama defeated the U.S. on Thursday 75-67 in pool play. University of Memphis' Joey Dorsey played well for the second-consecutive contest, scoring five points and pulling down nine boards. The nine rebounds were the second-most in the game. Dorsey also had one assist, one blocked shot and one steal in 21 minutes of action. The U.S. grabbed a 38-28 halftime lead and then cruised in the second half to the victory. The Americans out-rebounded their foe 48-35, and also held the U.S. Virgin Islands to 35.9 percent shooting from the floor. It was the second-straight contest the U.S. defense held its opponent to under 50 percent shooting from the floor, after allowing over 50 percent in the first two games. D.J. White (Indiana) posted game highs of 22 points and 13 boards. Derrick Low (Washington State) added 14 points. Frank Elegar led the U.S. Virgin Islands with 10 points.

07/28/07		City's CFO not giving up on stadium just yet (Commercial Appeal)
		By David Williams Contact July 28, 2007 Doubts may be growing about the financial viability of a new Mid-South Fairgrounds football stadium, but city chief financial officer Robert Lipscomb is waiting for the hard numbers. "I don't think a new stadium's off the table. I just think we've got to look at it and see what the numbers are," he said, anticipating a report from national stadium consultants by mid- to late August. The report also will address the possibility of upgrading Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Once the numbers arrive, the key factor may be how much private development the city would allow on the 170-acre fairgrounds. "A lot will depend on people's appetite for whether that site can be some private stuff -- because the private side generates taxes," Lipscomb said. A planned Tourism Development Zone on the grounds would allow state sales tax revenue from retail development to help pay for public proj-ects on the site, including a new stadium. Prominent local developer Henry Turley has suggested big-box retail. Mayor Willie Herenton declined Friday to discuss the stadium issue. He proposed the new stadium Jan. 1 and later estimated the cost at $150 million to $175 million, with such possible funding sources as a TDZ, federal New Market Tax Credits, naming rights fees and luxury suite leases -- but not property taxes. But there's widespread doubt, from Liberty Bowl tenants to the public, that a state-of-the-art facility could be built in that price range. One factor is the skyrocketing cost of steel. A possible model for a new Memphis stadium -- the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium project -- is priced at $288 million. It's a 50,000-seat facility with both chair-back and bench seats, 36 luxury suites and an indoor club. Last week, University of Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson, having met with the consultants, said, "I think the cost might be just so high that it's not plausible. ... We may end up having to rehab" the 42-year-old Liberty Bowl. That was a common sentiment among a citizen focus group, assembled this week by the fairgrounds reuse committee. Group members, mostly representing neighborhoods in the fairgrounds area, largely favored a Liberty Bowl renovation over a new stadium. "I'm not one to give up on a good piece of concrete," said fairgrounds neighbor Pat Turns. "I own three pieces of property in the city. One was built in 1911, one in 1947 and the other, I think, in '49. And I rehabbed all three of them." A key to a Liberty Bowl upgrade will be the cost -- in dollars and lost seats -- to reach Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. That will be determined by the U.S. Department of Justice, which has received a stadium-ADA report from the city but hasn't responded. Herenton has said it would cost too many seats to be made ADA compliant, saying a new stadium was a wiser course. It's possible the Department of Justice could adopt new guidelines that reduce the mandated number of wheelchair spaces from 1 percent of capacity to 0.5 percent. That was among the changes made three years ago to the ADA Accessibility Guidelines -- but not yet adopted by the Justice Department. U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., said he has spoken with DOJ officials about the Liberty Bowl, with a goal of seeing it continue as the city's primary home of football. Attempts to reach DOJ officials for comment were unsuccessful. "It's a great stadium, great sight lines," Cohen said. But he admits to a nostalgic streak and said his might not be the most objective opinion in the new vs. old debate. "I had tears when Crump (Stadium) came down," he said. -- David Williams: 529-2310

07/27/07		U.S. Pan Am Team Upsets Argentina 74-71 Friday -- Dorsey plays key role down the stretch in the victory (GoTigersGo.com)
		RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - The United States showed some resiliency in Pan American Games pool play Friday, posting a 74-71 upset win over previously unbeaten Argentina. The U.S. improved its record to 1-2. University of Memphis' Joey Dorsey played 18 minutes and had three points, four rebounds, three assists and one block. The Tigers' 6-foot-9 forward played a crucial role in the win. With under a minute to play and the U.S. clinging to a 73-71 lead, Dorsey came up with an offensive rebound off a Drew Neitzel (Michigan State) miss to give the Americans another possession. Then, with :22 left, D.J. White (Indiana) missed a jumper, and Dorsey came up with the loose ball and was fouled. The Baltimore, Md., native hit 1-of-2 free throws to extend the U.S. lead to 74-71 with :20.3 remaining. But, Dorsey wasn't finished, as Argentina had two chances at three-point attempts to tie the contest. However, Dorsey got a piece of Argentina's second trey attempt just before the buzzer to seal the U.S. victory. As in the previous two games, the U.S. dominated the glass, out-rebounding Argentina 42-27. However, the Americans defended better and it showed in the field goal percentage defense. After allowing opponents to shoot 50 percent or better in the first two games, the U.S. held Argentina to 43.8 percent from the floor. White led all scorers with 22 points, while Roy Hibbert (Georgetown) grabbed a game-best nine boards. Roman Gonzalez led Argentina with 21 points and seven boards. The U.S. now plays the U.S. Virgin Islands on Saturday at 3:15 p.m. (CT) in the consolation semifinals.

07/27/07		New Desktop Wallpaper Available -- Wallpaper available for Football, Volleyball, Soccer and Men's Basketball (GoTigersGo.com)
		The start of a new University of Memphis athletic year is rapidly approaching, and fans can share their excitement for the upcoming season by downloading desktop wallpaper of Tiger fall sports. Wallpaper is available for football, men's and women's soccer and volleyball. In addition, wallpaper is available of the new men's basketball billboard campaign. Links to the wallpaper can be found on the side bar of the team's home page.

07/26/07		Tough home schedule make season tickets more practical (Daily Helmsman)
		By: Shari Lofton Sports Reporter Issue date: 7/26/07 Even though The University of Memphis men's basketball team does not yet know their Conference USA schedule, they already know that the 2007-2008 season will be one of the toughest any Tiger team has seen in a long time. Last week, the Tigers announced the release of their non-conference schedule. Southern California, Arizona, Gonzaga, Georgetown, Cincinnati and Tennessee are among the high profile opponents Memphis is slated to play. "If it's not the best non-conference schedule in the country, you've got to show me whose schedule is (better)," Coach John Calipari told The Commercial Appeal last week. Excluding the USC and Cincinnati games, each game will be played in front of the home fans at FedExForum. The announcement of these high profile games has many U of M alumni anticipating record-breaking ticket sales and attendance. "There has been an overwhelming response from the fans and the city," said Tim Duncan, M Club director and Memphis alumni. "Any time you're ranked preseason No. 1 you expect things that have not been seen in years past." Shortly after announcing that upper terrace season seats were on sale in June, The U of M athletic department released a statement stating that they were expecting to sell so many season tickets that there probably will not be single-game tickets available at The Forum. "Our goal is to sell out the upper tier at The Forum, and we expect ticket sales to explode even more this season," Harold Byrd, president of the Memphis Rebounders said. "With almost the entire team returning, the addition of Derrick Rose and Shawn Taggart and Coach Cal being one of the greatest ambassadors in the city, this is all a recipe for explosion of excitement and expectation." The Tigers will begin their home schedule Nov. 5 and 6 when they host one of the regional portions of the 2K College Hoops Classic Benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer. While other teams competing in the tourney haven't been announced, Connecticut, Oklahoma and Kentucky will host the three other regional portions of the tourney with the championship played at Madison Square Garden. The rest of November, the Tigers will play Arkansas State and Austin Peay at home. However, December will be the month that could possibly make or break the Tigers' season. On Dec. 4, the Tigers will face USC in the opening round of the Jimmy V Classic in New York City. Two weeks later, Memphis will play at Cincinnati (Dec. 19) and return to The Forum to play Georgetown (Dec.22) and Arizona (Dec. 29). "I can't wait for the Georgetown game," season ticket holder Teddy Klug said. "They may have an edge at center with Hibbert, but I think Memphis will pull it out." In June, the Tigers announced that they were scrapping its scheduled meeting with Ole Miss for a home bout against the Hoyas. Shortly after the news about the Georgetown went public, Calipari urged fans to buy season tickets while they still had a chance. "This is that year where if you don't get season tickets, you're not getting in the building," he said. The next major opponent the Tigers are scheduled to face will be Gonzaga on Jan 26. Fans will surly remember when the Tigers narrowly escaped defeat in Spokane thanks to last second heroics by junior guard Chris Douglass Roberts. Even though the Zags kept the Tigers' hands full, this season Gonzaga returns junior Josh Heytvelt and sophomore Theo Davis from suspension. Memphis will conclude its tough regular season home schedule on Feb. 23 with the anticipated return of interstate rival Tennessee. Despite the loss of Dane Bradshaw, the Vols will return to Memphis behind the leadership of senior Chris Lofton. "I am definitely looking forward to the Tennessee game," Duncan said. "They're the state rival and they got us pretty good last time, and I hope we can return the favor." The game will also be the first time that ESPN Gameday will broadcast from Memphis since 2005 when the Tigers played Louisville.

07/26/07		CSTV to Celebrate C-USA With Special Programming -- Week of C-USA highlights kicks off with C-USA Football Media Blitz (GoTigersGo.com)
		New York - CSTV is showcasing the most exciting Conference USA action that took place on the network from the past school year with a week-long programming block, "Seven days of Conference USA." The special week of programming begins Monday, July 30, and runs through Sunday, August 5, and will feature a variety of games as well as original programming. On Monday, July 30 at 5:00 pm CT, CSTV will air a special two and a half-hour exclusive broadcast live from the Conference USA Football Media Day in New Orleans. Hosted by Carter Blackburn and Brian Jones, the Conference USA Football Media Blitz will offer fans an inside look at C-USA football and preview the 2007 season, featuring interviews with all 12 head football coaches, two players from each team and C-USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky. University of Memphis quarterback Martin Hankins and running back Joseph Doss will represent the Tigers, along with coach Tommy West, at C-USA Media Day next Monday and Tuesday. Fans will have the opportunity to watch the events on-line as well as live on CSTV. Links to the streaming video will be available on Memphis' website at GoTigersGo.com and through the league website at ConferenceUSA.com. The streaming video will be free of charge, but fans will have to log in or sign up to receive the content through CSTV's All-Access service. West, Doss and Hankins will be featured on Monday's show at approximately 5:35 p.m. CT. The segments will be archived on the website in the event that fans are unable to catch it live. In addition to C-USA Media Day coverage, viewers will also be able to relive great moments from this past season in basketball, football and softball. Some of the games to be featured include: Conference USA Men's Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals Rice vs. UCF - Played on 3/8/07 Airs Tuesday, July 31 at 2:00 pm CT Morris Almond's three-point basket with just 2.8 seconds left put Rice ahead 53-51 and propelled the Owls to an upset victory against No. 2-seed UCF. Almond, a 2007 first-round NBA draft pick, poured in 30 points in the victory. Conference USA Men's Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals Houston vs. Southern Miss - Played on 3/8/07 Airs Tuesday, July 31 at 4:00 pm CT The Cougars held off a late rally by Southern Miss to escape with a 62-59 victory and advance to the semi-finals. The No. 3 seeded Cougars were led by 28 points from Robert McKiver. Conference USA Softball Championship Houston vs. East Carolina - Played on 5/12/07 Airs Wednesday, August 1 at 6:00 pm CT In the conference championship, the top-seeded Cougars knocked off ECU behind a superb pitching performance by tournament MVP Angel Shamblin. Shamblin led the Cougars to a 1-0 victory in a pitchers duel, where she gave up only two hits and had seven strikeouts. C-USA Football: East Carolina at Southern Miss Played on 10/28/06 Airs Wednesday, August 1 at 1:30 p.m. CT In an overtime contest, the Pirates knocked off the home team 20-17 as one of five victories in a five-game winning streak during the 2006 season. Junior Travis Williams intercepted a Jeremy Young pass in the end zone in the extra period. There were several big plays in the game, including a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by ECU's Chris Johnson and a school-record 87-yard interception return for a TD by USM's Eddie Hicks. NCAA Football: Tulsa at Navy Played on 9/23/06 Airs Friday, August 3 at 11 a.m. CT Tulsa senior DB Nick Graham and senior DE Moton Hopkins combined to block an extra-point attempt in the first overtime as the Golden Hurricane won at Navy, 24-23. Junior QB Paul Smith passed for a career-high 285 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Golden Hurricane to the win. For the full programming schedule, log on to www.CSTV.com. About CSTV Networks CSTV Networks, Inc., now part of the CBS Corporation, is the leading digital and cable programming company dedicated to college sports. Connecting more fans to more college sports than any other company, its many platforms for programming distribution include CSTV: College Sports TV, televising regular-season and championship events for 35 men's and women's college sports; CSTV.com and its network of more than 215 official athletic sites; CSTV All Access, broadband services providing live audio and video of more than 10,000 events annually; as well as satellite television and radio, in-flight entertainment, wireless networks and more. Further information is available at www.CSTV.com.

07/26/07		U.S. Pan Am Team Falls To Panama 75-67 -- Dorsey grabs one board in Thursday's game (GoTigersGo.com)
		RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - The United States fell to Panama 75-67 in pool play at the 2007 Pan American Games Thursday. Team USA is 0-2 in its pool and faces Argentina at 5:45 p.m. (CT) on Friday. University of Memphis' Joey Dorsey grabbed one rebound in one minute of action. Roy Hibbert (Georgetown) led Team USA with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Drew Neitzel (Michigan State) added 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. Panama's Danilo Pinnock led all scorers with 23 points and also had five assists. Dionisio Gomez had nine boards. For the second-straight game, the U.S. out-rebounded its opponent, but allowed the opposition to shoot over 50 percent from the field. Team USA won the battle on the glass 46-36, but Panama countered with a 50.9 shooting percentage from the floor. Panama also shot 40 percent from the arc.

07/26/07		Two Lady Tigers Named Academic All-Americans -- Colorado native earn prestigious academic honor (GoTigersGo.com)
		The University of Memphis women's golf program was recognized by the National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) with the addition of Rachel Larson and Cameron Barber to the list of Division I Academic All-Americans. A total of 368 lady golfers in Divisions I, II and III were honored. To be considered, student-athletes must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50 and must have competed in at least half of their program's regularly scheduled rounds. Both Lady Tigers exceeded the grade point threshold and, in addition to their scholastic and athletic accomplishments, gave selflessly of themselves to the Memphis community, fulfilling numerous volunteer and community services roles. Cameron Barber, a native of Lone Tree, Colo., graduated last spring with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science with a cumulative GPA of 3.67. She was named a member of the Tiger 3.0 Club for each of the eight semesters of her college career, was named to the Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll all four years, and made the University's Dean's List four consecutive semesters, five total. The fall semester of Cameron's junior year was her best, earning a 4.0. She also made the Tiger Academic 30 four times, an accomplishment which placed Barber among the top 30 student-athletes at the University of Memphis. Cameron Barber graduated with a B.A. in history and a 3.67 GPA. Barber earned four varsity letters on the Lady Tiger golf team. During her career, she had two top-25 tournament finishes, both during her senior year. Her season best low round of 70 was second best on the team, second to Stacey Tate's 69, and earned her a top-25 finish at the Ron Moore Women's Intercollegiate tournament. Off the links, Barber worked with the Tiger athletic training staff for three years. She also served two years on the FCA Executive Board and volunteered at a youth reading program. The NGCA named Rachel Larson, from Longmont, Colo., an Academic All-American for the second time in two years. Larson, a rising junior, is a history major with a 3.72 cumulative GPA. She was one of five women golfers named to the C-USA All-Academic team this spring. She has made the University's Dean's List, as well as the Tiger 3.0 Club every semester. In the spring of 2006 Larson earned a 4.0 and was named to the Tiger Academic 30. Larson also has been instrumental in the women's golf team's success her entire career. She boasts eight top-20 finishes in her young career, six from the 2006-07 season. Her career best fifth place finish at the Kentucky Wildcat Fall Invitational earned her a permanent spot among the team's best, and her 7th place finish at the Baja Invitational earned her C-USA golfer of the week honors last February. Larson finished 15th on the C-USA leader board for the 2006-07 season with a 78.23 average, and her 13th place finish at the C-USA tournament in Birmingham, Ala., (80-74-77) made her the third Tiger in the top-15 to help Memphis to win the C-USA championship. Larson volunteers with High Point Church's Kid City Program, Streets Ministry and First Tee. She is a member of Young Life and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

07/26/07		U of M Notebook: Football, Baseball, Basketball (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact July 26, 2007 West gets offseason golf fix Two years ago, University of Memphis football coach Tommy West spent part of his summer vacation on a memorable golf excursion to Scotland, where he played six courses in seven days, including Turnberry and Royal Troon. While he wasn't able to make another trip across the Atlantic earlier this month, he said the golfing experience on the West Coast was, perhaps, the next-best thing. West, who is in his seventh season as Tiger coach, again was among the guests of former Sara Lee Foods executive George Bryan, who owns Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, Miss. The highlight of the trip was playing Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon. "We went to Utah and stayed a couple of days at George's house in Utah, then we went to Oregon," West said. "It was really nice. "We were going to go back to Scotland, but we decided to go here instead. It's just like Scotland. It's on the Oregon coast." Bandon Dunes is perched on a bluff high above the Pacific Ocean and winds are ever-present, creating a similar atmosphere to the courses in Scotland. Ocean views are prevalent on nearly every hole. In addition to enjoying the challenging layout and scenery, West said the weather -- for someone accustomed to muggy, humid summer conditions in the Mid-South -- was ideal. "The high was 65 degrees every day," West said. "The last day we played early, and when we teed off it was 56 degrees with a 20 mph wind." One door closes ... And perhaps another will open for former Tiger first baseman Adam Amar. Amar finished his UofM career by helping the Tigers reach the NCAA regionals last month and began his professional one shortly afterward by signing a contract to play for the Rome Coppers of the New York State League, an independent league based in Utica, N.Y. But the NYSL went bankrupt earlier this month, leaving Amar without a baseball home. Amar, who hit .358 with nine home runs and 51 runs batted in as a senior, returned home to Lake Mary, Fla., and was contacted by the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Amar attended a tryout for the Cardinals' short-season team -- the Batavia Muckdogs of the New York-Penn League -- Wednesday in Batavia, N.Y., and should know his status as a potential Cardinal farmhand by the end of the week. "I'll work out (today) and Friday and should know something Saturday," Amar said. "I was real excited to get a chance to show major league baseball (personnel) what I can do." With the Rome Coppers, Amar hit .385 with nine doubles and 12 RBI in 13 games. He was chosen to participate in the a home run hitting contest, which he won over two members of the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs, an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Tiger coach Daron Schoenrock said Amar's exposure, however brief in the NYSL, helped him get a look by the Cardinals. "The encouraging thing was Adam was really swinging the bat well," Schoenrock said. The Muckdog roster includes former Collierville High pitcher Jonathan Stambaugh. Odds and ends Former UofM catcher Cory Barton, who was a student assistant last year for the Tiger baseball team, will serve as volunteer assistant next season. Barton replaces Allen Osborne, who left the program after last season to become head coach at Wingate (N.C.) University, a Division 2 school. ... Tiger basketball coach John Calipari will be a guest host of Fox Sports Net's "Best Damn Sports Show Period" Friday, after serving in the same role Tuesday and Wednesday. Calipari has made multiple appearances on the program this year, beginning in late February. -- Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543

07/25/07		U.S. Pan Am Team Drops Opener To Uruguay 81-72 Wednesday -- Dorsey scores two points in only five minutes of action (GoTigersGo.com)
		RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - The United States team dropped an 81-72 decision in its Pan American Games opener Wednesday. University of Memphis' Joey Dorsey scored two points in only five minutes of action. Team USA continues pool play on Thursday against Panama at 5:45 p.m. (CT). The U.S. dominated Uruguay 40-29 on the glass, but the visitors shot 50.9 percent from the field and 30.4 percent from the arc. Team USA hit 41.3 percent from the floor, but managed only 14.3 percent (3-of-21 treys) from the three-point line. D.J. White (Indiana) and Maarty Leunen (Oregon) each scored 14 points to lead the U.S. offense. White also grabbed a game-high nine boards. Uruguay's Esteban Batista led all scorers with 25 points. The last time the U.S. dropped a game in Pan Am Games play and bounced back to win gold was in 1955. That U.S. squad posted a 4-1 record and took home the gold.

07/25/07		2007 Football Media Guide Available Online -- Online version of guide available July 26th (GoTigersGo.com)
		With football media day just four days away, fans can get a sneak peek at the University of Memphis 2007 Football Media Guide by viewing the online version of the guide at www.gotigersgo.com. The complete guide is available as a .pdf file, including coaching and player bios and updated Tiger record and history sections. The entire guide may be viewed at the following link 2007 Football Media Guide.

07/25/07		Calipari To Guest Host On Fox Sports' National TV Show This Week -- Tigers' head coach to be on BDSSP on Wednesday and Friday (GoTigersGo.com)
		LOS ANGELES, Calif. - University of Memphis head coach John Calipari will continue his gig as guest host on Fox Sports Net's "Best Damn Sports Show Period" (BDSSP) on Wednesday, July 25 and Friday, July 27. Calipari also served as a guest host on Tuesday's show. Check local television listings for broadcast times in your viewing area. Calipari has been a regular on BDSSP this year. The Tigers' head coach served as a guest host on BDSSP in early April, and was a guest on the show four times in late February and March. Last year, Calipari served as a guest host on the show two times (once in June and once in July) during the summer of 2006, and was also on BDSSP on June 29 as the show's 2006 NBA Draft analyst. Calipari guided the 2006-07 Tigers to a 33-4 overall record and a second-straight NCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearance. Memphis won both the Conference USA regular season and tournament titles, and also became the first team in the league's 12-year history to post a perfect 16-0 regular season mark and follow with a postseason tournament crown. His 2007-08 Tiger squad is ranked No. 1 in both the ESPN.com and CBSSportsline.com summer polls.

07/25/07		Tiger Hoops Billboards Up Around Memphis -- Terrace level season ticket packages on sale (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Tiger hoops is getting posterized, or make it billboardized - and in a good way. The 2007-08 University of Memphis basketball season is still four months away from tipping off, but the buzz for the much-anticipated season will surely get louder with the unveiling of Tiger hoops billboards around the city Wednesday. There are 13 billboards at 15 locations throughout Memphis. Some of the Tigers' returning players are featured on the billboards with catch phrases. For example, one has Antonio Anderson shooting a free throw with the slogan, Remember The Alamodome, to highlight his game-winning charity tosses in the thrilling 65-64 win over Texas A&M in last year's NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game. A billboard that will catch many fans' eyes is the one that has only a photo of a rose. All billboards have the Memphis Athletic Ticket Office number, which is 678-2331, for fans to purchase $100 terrace level season tickets at FedExForum. The Tigers have 19 scheduled home dates (18 regular season games, 1 exhibition) at FedExForum in 2007-08, including contests against Arizona, Georgetown, Gonzaga and Tennessee. Memphis also hosts two rounds (four games) in the 2K College Hoops Classic (Benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer). "These billboards were an awesome idea, and my hope is that it gets the city even more excited about their team," said head coach John Calipari. "Like I've already said, I believe the $100 season ticket package for the terrace level is one of the best deals I know of. We are still planning some things for fans that purchase the $100 terrace level season tickets to make it an event for them." The Tigers, ranked No. 1 in ESPN.com's and CBSSportsline.com's summer polls, return five starters from their 2006-07 squad that posted a 33-4 record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. Memphis swept the Conference USA regular season and tournament titles for a second-straight year in 2006-07.

07/25/07		West upbeat about his Tigers (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact July 25, 2007 In the packed ballroom at the University of Memphis' on-campus Holiday Inn -- where about 250 Tiger Scholarship Fund members had gathered -- the atmosphere Tuesday was, understandably, upbeat. Featured speaker Tommy West, beginning his seventh season as Tiger football coach, was to blame, as much as the crowd of devoted supporters. Neither West, nor the Tiger faithful, expect a repeat of last year's 2-10 season, one that snapped a string of three straight bowl appearances. Mixing jokes, bowl predictions and one-liners with a steady stream of encouraging team updates, West reassured those attending the State of the Tigers Quarterly Luncheon -- hosted by the TSF -- 2006 was an aberration. He doesn't expect the Tigers, who open Sept. 1 at home against Ole Miss, to again finish near the bottom of the Conference USA rankings in rushing defense, pass efficiency defense and total defense. He doesn't expect to go 1-7 in C-USA games, including 0-4 at home. And he doesn't foresee another drop to the bottom half of the league's East Division standings. As for his coaching peers, they're not predicting such a robust turnaround. C-USA released its preseason poll Tuesday and the Tigers were picked to finish fifth -- behind Marshall and ahead of UAB. Southern Miss was picked to repeat as East Division champion and Houston was tabbed to repeat in the West Division, by the slimmest of margins over Tulsa. Only one Tiger -- junior offensive tackle Brandon Pearce -- made the C-USA Preseason First Team. Pearce has made 20 consecutive starts at right tackle and played all but two snaps last year. Rice receiver Jarret Dillard (91 catches, 1,247 yards, 21 TD) was chosen preseason offensive player of the year, and Marshall defensive end Albert McClellan (19 tackles for loss) was voted defensive player of the year. West took the vote of no-confidence in stride, when first informed of the poll's results. "We're an unknown," West said. "Nobody knows what we are." What's not known throughout the league is what could make the UofM a bowl team again, West said. The Tigers are expected to receive a boost from an infusion of junior college talent, among them receiver Steven Black, offensive tackle Brent Todd, defensive lineman Freddie Barnett and linebacker Tommy Phelps. And the Tigers should benefit from senior quarterback Martin Hankins' second year in the system, the emergence of sophomore receiver Duke Calhoun and solid offensive and defensive lines. "I don't know if the team that's been picked to win our league has won it in the last three years," West said. Central Florida was picked to win the East last year, but finished fourth in the division. The Knights were 4-8 overall and 3-5 in the division. Tulsa was the preseason West Division pick in 2006, but finished third behind Houston and Rice. "Somebody in this league has usually (broken) out each year," West said, recalling UCF's emergence as East champion in 2005 after a winless '04. "You can (drastically) change your team in the offseason. "The makeup of our team is really different, with the mid-year signees, a couple of transfers and six new coaches. We're a different team. How do you handicap a team like that? It's really hard." In addition to junior college transfers like Black, Todd, Barnett and Phelps, the Tigers will get their first looks at two transfers from Southeastern Conference schools. Former Ole Miss defensive back Dontae Reed enters camp next month atop the depth chart at strong safety, and former Auburn DB Tony Bell is listed as the No. 2 free safety. "Where do you pick a team that has six new coaches -- all three coordinators are new -- eight junior college signees, two transfers ... you just don't know," West said. Barnett, a former Arkansas signee, was mentioned on several occasions by West during Tuesday's speech and after the TSF members had left. Barnett (6-2, 300) joined the program at mid-year after coming to the UofM from Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College. His potential seemed to mirror the overall impact the newcomers could have this fall. "I really think Freddie can be a guy that people are going to have to find a way to block in our league," West said. "He's an inside player that I think teams will have to double-team. That's really changed our makeup there." As much as Barnett's skills could energize the defense, West said he's been uplifted by the fans' patience after a difficult 2006. "It became pretty obvious the reasons we had a bad year last year," West said. "I made some decisions and I probably made some bad decisions, but we got better. "But we finally have expectations. The (fans) expect now to go to a bowl game. That's a big step in the right direction for us." -- Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543

07/24/07		Tiger lineman on preseason All-Conference USA (Commercial Appeal)
		Brandon Pearce, a junior offensive lineman, was named to the 2007 preseason All-Conference USA first team as voted by the 12 league coaches, the league office announced today. Pearce played all but two offensive snaps in the 2006 season and has started 20 straight games at right tackle. Pearce and his linemates allowed only 14 sacks last year to lead the conference in fewest surrendered. A 6-6, 300-pounder, Pearce prepped at Christian Brothers High School. Here's a look at the rest of the first teamers and the coaches' choice for offensive, defensive and special teams players of the year, as released by the University of Memphis: First Team Offense QB Paul Smith, Sr., Tulsa RB Damion Fletcher, So., Southern Miss RB Kevin Smith, Jr., UCF OL Doug Legursky, Sr., Marshall OL Jeff Akeroyd, Sr., Houston OL Chris Clark, Sr., Southern Miss OL Brandon Pearce, Jr., Memphis OL Robby Heos, Sr., Rice WR Jarett Dillard, Jr., Rice WR Emmanuel Sanders, So., SMU WR Donnie Avery, Sr., Houston TE Shawn Nelson, Jr., Southern Miss First Team Defense DL Albert McClellan, Jr., Marshall DL Martavius Prince, Sr., Southern Miss DL Marcus Hands, Jr., East Carolina DL Philip Hunt, Jr., Houston LB Joe Henderson, Jr., UAB LB Brian Raines, Jr., Rice LB Nelson Coleman, Sr., Tulsa DB Quintin Demps, Sr., UTEP DB Brandon Sumrall, Sr., Southern Miss DB Will Dunbar, Sr., UAB DB Kenneth Fontenette, Jr., Houston First Team Special Teams K Ben Bell, Jr., Houston P Thomas Morstead, Jr., SMU KR Chris Johnson, Sr., East Carolina PR Joe Burnett, Jr., UCF Offensive Player of the Year Jarret Dillard, WR, Rice (91 catches, 1,247 yds., 13.7 avg., 21 TD) Defensive Player of the Year Albert McClellan, DE, Marshall (77 tackles, 19.0 TFL, 11.5 sacks) Special Teams Player of the Year Joe Burnett, PR, UCF (11 returns, 132 yds., 12.0 avg.)

07/24/07		Dorsey, Team USA Begin Quest For Gold At Pan Am Games Wednesday -- U.S. opens pool play versus Uruguay on Wednesday at 8 p.m. (CT) (GoTigersGo.com)
		RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - University of Memphis' Joey Dorsey and his 2007 Pan American Games teammates have been practicing the past week, and on Wednesday, Team USA's quest for the gold begins. The U.S. Pan Am Games team opens pool play Wednesday at 8 p.m. (CT) against Uruguay. Argentina and Panama are the other two teams in Team USA's pool play. The U.S. faces Panama Thursday at 5:45 p.m. (CT) and meets Argentina Friday at 5:45 p.m. (CT). The other pool includes Brazil, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The top two teams from each group advances to the medal round, setting up the championship bracket semifinals for Saturday at 1:00 and 3:15 p.m. (CT). The championship game is set for 9 a.m. (CT). The 2007 U.S. team is attempting to win the country's first Pan American Games gold medal since 1983. Team USA earned the silver in 1987, 1995 and 1999, the bronze in 1991 and placed fourth in 2003.The United States' overall record in Pan Am competition is 81-11. Joining Dorsey on the 2007 Pan Am team are: North Carolina's Wayne Ellington, Vanderbilt's Shan Foster, Maryland's James Gist, Georgetown's Roy Hibbert, Oregon's Marty Leunen, Washington State's Derrick Low and Kyle Weaver, VCU's Eric Maynor, Michigan State's Drew Neitzel, Villanova's Scottie Reynolds and Indiana's D.J. White. Villanova's Jay Wright is the Team USA Pan American head coach. Alabama's Mark Gottfried and Yale's James Jones are the team's assistant coaches. For more information on the Pan American Games team, go to www.usabasketball.com.

07/24/07		Alex Jago Returns to Memphis Tennis -- Will serve as an assistant coach with both the men's and women's teams (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - - Former Tiger men's tennis player Alex Jago will return to the Tiger sidelines as an assistant coach with both the men's and women's tennis programs at Memphis it was announced Tuesday. "I'm excited to work with both Coach Paul (Goebel) and Coach Lee (Walker)," Jago said. "I helped the team out for the year I was injured as sort of a student assistant coach, and that was what got me interested in the other side of tennis. Being a proud Memphis Tiger, it's always good to come back to where it all started. " Jago, who graduated from Memphis in December of 2006, spent the last six months in his native Australia as the Membership Service Coordinator for Tennis Tasmania. There, he helped staff professional tournaments, as well as men's and women's open and junior tournaments, as well as handling the website for Tennis Tasmania. "Our team is really excited to have Alex back in Memphis and coaching," men's tennis coach Paul Goebel said. "He'll do an outstanding job replacing Lee Walker for us. Alex is extremely hard-working and has an excellent background in conditioning. He is leaving a top tennis job from Tennis Tasmania, where he coached some of the top national junior players and got great experience in fundraising and promoting tennis. He will have the full range of coaching activities here at Memphis from coaching to scheduling to recruiting. " At Memphis, Jago will serve as an assistant coach with both the men's and women's tennis teams. "Alex made huge gains on and off the court from the time he came here as a freshman to the day he graduated from Memphis," women's head coach Lee Taylor Walker said. "He was a young player who worked hard to make the adjustment to being a college athlete, both on the court and in the classroom. Now, he's a man of good character and a positive leader who graduated Magna Cum Laude and was a top 10 ranked doubles player, the highest-ever by a Memphis Tiger, in his senior season. He really knows what it takes to improve and reach one's maximum potential and I am thrilled to have him on staff." Jago graduated Magna Cum Laude from Memphis with a degree in sports management, and was a four-year letterwinner for the Tigers from 2003-2006. As a senior, Jago teamed with James Spence in doubles and the tandem ranked as high as No. 8 in the country at the end of the fall semester after going 6-4 in doubles and picking up wins over the No. 8 and No. 14 ranked doubles teams before Jago was diagnosed with a career-ending wrist injury. At Memphis, Jago was a three-time Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Scholar-Athlete and was a three-time member of the Conference USA Academic Honor Roll. He was also a member of the Tiger Academic 30 in 2004, for having one of the 30 highest GPAs in the entire athletic department. A native of Launceston, Australia, Jago will begin his duties at Memphis in August. With the men's tennis team, Jago will replace Lee Taylor Walker, who was named the women's tennis team's head coach in May. Jago will join Walker and former Tiger head coach Phil Chamberlain as staff members for the Lady Tiger tennis program.

07/24/07		Brandon Pearce Earns All-Conference USA Preseason Recognition -- Tigers' offensive lineman named to All-C-USA first team (GoTigersGo.com)
		IRVING, Texas - University of Memphis junior offensive lineman Brandon Pearce has been named to the 2007 preseason All-Conference USA first team, the league office announced Tuesday. The 12 C-USA coaches voted on the preseason all-conference squads. Earlier this summer, the 6-foot-6, 300-pound offensive lineman was selected to the preseason All-Conference USA Team as noted in Street & Smith's College Football 2007 Yearbook. Pearce has started 20-consecutive career games at right tackle. In 2006, he played every offensive snap in the 12 contests with the exception of two plays late in the Chattanooga victory. He played a key role in Memphis leading C-USA for the third-straight season in sack denial, as the Tigers only gave up 14 in 2006. In addition, Pearce recovered a Tiger fumble against Marshall, and ultimately was named to the All-C-USA third team by league coaches. It was his second career league honor as he earned Conference USA All-Freshman Team recognition in 2005. A Memphis, Tenn., native, Pearce will help anchor a Tiger offensive line that returns three starters and may be the deepest and most talented group that head coach Tommy West has had in his tenure at Memphis. The Tigers report to preseason camp Aug. 6, with the season and home opener to follow less than a month later on Sept. 1 when Memphis hosts Mid-South rival Mississippi at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The game, to be televised by Comcast Sports Southeast (CSS), is slated for a 2:30 p.m. (CT) kick-off. The following are the 2007 preseason All-Conference USA squad and awards: First Team Offense QB- Paul Smith, Sr., Tulsa RB- Damion Fletcher, So., Southern Miss RB- Kevin Smith, Jr., UCF OL- Doug Legursky, Sr., Marshall OL- Jeff Akeroyd, Sr., Houston OL- Chris Clark, Sr., Southern Miss OL- Brandon Pearce, Jr., Memphis OL- Robby Heos, Sr., Rice WR- Jarett Dillard, Jr., Rice WR- Emmanuel Sanders, So., SMU WR- Donnie Avery, Sr., Houston TE- Shawn Nelson, Jr., Southern Miss First Team Defense DL- Albert McClellan, Jr., Marshall DL- Martavius Prince, Sr., Southern Miss DL- Marcus Hands, Jr., East Carolina DL- Philip Hunt, Jr., Houston LB- Joe Henderson, Jr., UAB LB- Brian Raines, Jr., Rice LB- Nelson Coleman, Sr., Tulsa DB- Quintin Demps, Sr., UTEP DB- Brandon Sumrall, Sr., Southern Miss DB- Will Dunbar, Sr., UAB DB- Kenneth Fontenette, Jr., Houston First Team Special Teams K- Ben Bell, Jr., Houston P- Thomas Morstead, Jr., SMU KR- Chris Johnson, Sr., East Carolina PR- Joe Burnett, Jr., UCF Offensive Player of the Year Jarret Dillard, WR, Rice (91 catches, 1,247 yds., 13.7 avg., 21 TD) Defensive Player of the Year Albert McClellan, DE, Marshall (77 tackles, 19.0 TFL, 11.5 sacks) Special Teams Player of the Year Joe Burnett, PR, UCF (11 returns, 132 yds., 12.0 avg.)

07/24/07		In C-USA, BCS bowl bid about scheduling -- Delicate mix of opponents can produce big-time shot (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact July 24, 2007 There is, Conference USA football coaches say, a delicate balancing act to becoming the next Boise State, the next Utah. As a non-Bowl Championship Series league, C-USA -- and its coaches, administrators and officials -- has watched in recent seasons as Boise State and Utah, two programs that hail from non-BCS conferences, have played their way into BCS bowl games. It has taken a combination of deft scheduling, good fortune and solid coaching. Utah, under former coach Urban Meyer, went unbeaten during the 2004 regular season and earned an invitation to the Fiesta Bowl, where it soundly defeated Pittsburgh. Boise State, a program built by former coach Dan Hawkins, went unbeaten last season and earned an automatic at-large berth in the Fiesta Bowl, defeating Oklahoma, 43-42, in thrilling fashion in overtime. Boise State did not play a ranked team en route to its unbeaten regular season. During Monday's 13th AutoZone Liberty Bowl Golf Classic at Ridgeway Country Club, league coaches and officials and bowl representatives discussed the merits of -- and the methods to -- a BCS bowl invitation for a C-USA school. Liberty Bowl executive director Steve Ehrhart said Utah greased its run by appearing in the Memphis bowl game and gaining national recognition that allowed the Utes to begin the following year in the polls. ''(Utah) had that magical year where they won the AutoZone Liberty Bowl (in 2003) and had some votes (in the top 25) polls going into the next season,'' Ehrhart said. ''They had one tough nonconference game (during the 2004 regular season), which was (Texas) A&M at home. ''They won that, then ran the table and were in a BCS bowl. Same thing with Boise State. Although they lost in the Liberty Bowl (to Louisville in 2004), they had a good performance and that gave them some national respect going into the next season.'' A year later, Boise State went 12-0 during the regular season, won the Western Athletic Conference title and finished eighth in the final BCS poll to gain a Fiesta Bowl trip. ''Coaches are a caught a bit in the crossfire here,'' University of Memphis coach Tommy West said. ''Every league wants an undefeated team. And every coach wants to win as many games as he can to keep his job. I think there's a happy medium.'' When he became Tiger coach in 2001, West said the UofM had done itself a disservice by ''scheduling themselves right out of bowl games'' with a demanding nonconference schedule. ''We are trying to find a good mix,'' he said. ''I think we've had it when we've had 12 games and we've played Ole Miss and Tennessee (as two of the UofM's four nonconference opponents).'' Memphis opens against Ole Miss Sept. 1 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The Rebels are the only nonconference opponent on the Tiger schedule from a BCS conference. ''For us, the most important thing is winning the conference championship,'' West said. ''And that's what I've said from the start. Everyone wants to win every game, but my goal for this program is to win conference championships. When we're doing that, ... we'll win our share of games outside of the league.'' SMU coach Phil Bennett, whose team nearly earned its first postseason trip since 1984 last season, said the Mustangs were guilty of overscheduling too. ''I think you have to be careful,'' Bennett said. ''You have to get your marquee game. Obviously, you have to get some games you can win. ''When I first got here we played Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Texas Tech. That's not fair to our kids. And it's not very smart.'' Bennett said the Mustangs have two marquee games on their schedule -- Texas Tech and TCU -- this fall. ''That's a nice mix for us,'' Bennett said. Ehrhart said Conference USA has its share of quality coaches -- from UTEP's Mike Price and UCF's George O'Leary to Southern Miss' Jeff Bower and West -- but making a run at a BCS bowl will require smart scheduling. ''One of the dangers in the past has been the very challenging nonconference schedules they have played,'' Ehrhart said. ''The Big 12 doesn't go on the road to play difficult non-conference games. They just don't do it ... Nebraska would never leave home to play a team they weren't favored to beat by at least three touchdowns.'' Bower said C-USA schools often don't have the option if they want to play a major conference foe. They must travel. Both of the Golden Eagles' marquee nonconference games -- Tennessee and Boise State -- are on the road, and Bower said it's hard to convince major programs to play home-and-home series with Southern Miss. ''We don't get enough of them,'' he said. Still, Ehrhart remains a proponent of scheduling intelligently outside the conference. He said it makes no sense for a C-USA program to play more than one road nonconference game in which it is the decided underdog. ''The winning, and getting that one breakthrough team, is more important,'' Ehrhart said. ''If you're undefeated today, you get into the BCS. No one remembers who Utah played on its nonconference schedule. They don't remember Boise State's schedule either. But they remember they had undefeated years.'' Bower said he's talked to other league coaches about the merits of ''lightening up'' nonconference scheduling. ''But I think we have to do what we do,'' Bower said of his traditionally strong nonconference schedule. ''We enjoy playing those teams. I still think that's how you build a program. I don't see us quitting doing that. We've got Auburn and LSU next year. We're not lightening up anything out of conference.'' -- Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543

07/24/07		C-USA's Banowsky candidate for Big 12? (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact July 24, 2007 Conference USA commissioner Britton Banowsky has been mentioned as a possible replacement for former Big 12 commissioner Kevin Weiberg, who resigned in mid-June to become vice-president of the Big Ten's new television network. Banowsky, who attended Monday's AutoZone Liberty Bowl golf tournament at Ridgeway, did not address his possible candidacy. He has been C-USA commissioner since 2002, when Mike Slive took the Southeastern Conference post. Banowsky served as the Big 12's associate commissioner for six years before being named C-USA boss. Others being mentioned for the Big 12 job include the league's senior associate commissioner, Dan Beebe, who is serving as Big 12 interim commissioner. Also on the list is Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson. Seeking early risers Banowsky said he was pleased that league schools played one another as close -- in terms of margin of victory -- as any Division 1-A conference last year. But he understands that in order to garner national headlines, a C-USA team will need an early-season upset of a major conference power. ''We envision a Saturday in September where some of our schools are playing some major, nonconference opponents and we get a series of upsets that puts the conference on the map from a football standpoint,'' Banowsky said. ''We're waiting for that day. We feel like we've got great coaches and our teams are getting better across the board. It's only a matter of time.'' Together time Tiger football coach Tommy West said he spent more time with his staff this summer than in recent years because of the turnover. Six new coaches -- defensive coordinator Rick Kravitz, defensive line coach Brent Pry, cornerbacks coach Derek Jones, special teams coach Garret Chachere, wide receivers coach Darin Hinshaw and running backs coach James Joseph -- join the staff in 2007. ''We got together more this summer than we have in the past, but we knew each other before,'' West said. ''I felt the spring was good. Our players are great. They adapt. They are used to change ... I'm really excited about our new coaches.'' A (relatively) big crowd Alfred White, C-USA associate commissioner, said league officials expect a near-record turnout at next week's C-USA media gathering in New Orleans. While officials did not have an exact count of the number of media attending, Russ Anderson, C-USA assistant commissioner for football operations, said there will be at least four radio stations from league cities attending and working out of the lobby of the Royal Sonesta Hotel in the French Quarter. There was a small turnout of media last year in Dallas and no radio stations set up remotes. Anderson said the media gathering will approach the record numbers attending the 2005 event in Memphis. More money Liberty Bowl executive director Steve Ehrhart said proceeds from the golf tournament to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have increased annually since the event's inception in 1995. He said $1,600 was donated to the hospital the first year and donations increased to $127,000 last year.

07/22/07		Calipari honored to be No. 1 (Commercial Appeal)
		By Dan Wolken Contact July 22, 2007 John Calipari went on a mini-media blitz this week with local and national reporters, previewing the 2007-08 basketball season. And the question he kept getting over and over centered on how he was handling the monstrous expectations flowing around the University of Memphis program. After all, most coaches would probably do anything to avoid being preseason No. 1, as Memphis was anointed by national college basketball writers like CBS Sportsline's Gary Parrish, ESPN's Andy Katz and Dick "Hoops" Weiss of the New York Daily News. But Calipari is seemingly embracing the No. 1 moniker, turning what could be viewed as a burden into a positive. Here's a taste of what he said, and what he probably will repeat many more times before October. "It's a different setup when you're at North Carolina, Kansas, Duke, Kentucky, UCLA to be No. 1 preseason or the first two weeks," Calipari said. "That adds another thing to what you're trying to deal with. If you don't win the national title, you're not worth anything. Here, it's totally different. "To be in the league we're in, in the situation we're in, and we're preseason No. 1, that's quite an honor. It also helps in recruiting, which gives us another year under our belt to stay ahead. It has a different connotation when it's Memphis. It's almost like, what? How? That's really crazy. Well, for North Carolina or Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, it's like, 'That's right, and if we don't win the national title we're going to put for sale signs on that coach's front yard.'" Speaking more in-depth on the issue, Calipari did admit that he'll have a couple key responsibilities. One is figuring out playing rotations and combinations. More important, however, will be ensuring individual agendas don't dissolve the team concept that Memphis developed last season. "Two years ago, we had one agenda," Calipari said. "We played to win, they gave up minutes for each other, but Rodney (Carney) and Shawne (Williams) struggled a little bit because they were thinking ahead, and they struggled at times. Darius (Washington), the same thing. He was trying to say, 'I'm playing to get a contract.' You can't play for that. We have to guard against that." Schedule news The Gazelle Group, which runs the 2K College Hoops Classic Benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer, still hasn't officially announced the three teams that will play in Memphis' region of the season-opening event. But The Commercial Appeal has learned that -- unless there are late changes -- Memphis will play Tennessee-Martin in the first round on Nov. 5, with Richmond and Wyoming playing the other first-round game at FedExForum. Though Memphis fans can probably go ahead and make their reservations for the semifinals in New York, either Richmond or Wyoming could be a tricky second-round opponent. Richmond is coached by Chris Mooney, a former Princeton player and head coach at Air Force, who runs a pure Princeton offense. Playing that kind of team, especially so early in the season, can be a nightmare, though it would offer Memphis some meaningful exposure to the offense before facing Georgetown on Dec. 22. Though Wyoming hasn't had much success the past few years, its backcourt would present a legitimate test. Brandon Ewing, a 6-2 point guard from Chicago, is one of the best unknown players in the country and led the Mountain West in scoring last season at 19.9 points per game. Familiar foe When Rick Majerus took the head coaching job at Saint Louis, the idea of renewing an old Conference USA rivalry might have occurred to some Memphis fans. Indeed, Memphis and Saint Louis will start a series this year. The only catch? Nobody will get to see it, since the teams will play each other in a closed scrimmage on Oct. 27. The NCAA allows every team to play two preseason exhibition games, which typically are poorly attended and barely competitive. As an alternative, Division I schools can scrimmage each other in a closed setting, with no fans or media members allowed to watch. Though the scrimmages aren't necessarily played under game conditions, coaches generally consider them more productive than exhibitions. Etc. The John Calipari Basketball School has added a "Summer Hoops Finale" camp for ages 7 through 18. It will run from Aug. 6-8 at the Finch Center (on Spottswood and Echles), and the cost is $125. Lunch will not be provided. Contact Andy Allison at aalison@coachcalipari.com for more information. ... Memphis is currently the 7-1 co-third choice to win the national championship, according to the Caesars Palace sports book. Memphis opened wagering on April 7 as the 6-1 favorite, but North Carolina has been bet down to 4-1, with Kansas at 6-1 and UCLA along with Memphis at 7-1. To reach reporter Dan Wolken, call 529-2365

07/22/07		Roster of U of M's biggest supporters doubles (Commercial Appeal)
		By David Williams Contact July 22, 2007 During a recent gathering of University of Memphis athletic superdonors, talk ranged from basketball's national-championship potential to a possible new football stadium -- to R.C. Johnson's "athletic director handshake." Hand out and palm up, of course. It was delivered with a laugh -- not that Johnson would have been offended, anyway. He readily admits the need to solicit millions for a program that doesn't turn a profit despite record-setting fund-raising and a powerhouse basketball team. And his superdonors -- dubbed Ambassadors -- deliver for the U of M like no others. Membership to the club comes through a $500,000 donation, payable over four years. But in reality, the majority of the club's 24 members have donated much more, typically in seven figures. Their cash helps pay for scholarships, coaches' salaries, contract buyouts, facility construction and other costs of doing business in major college athletics. In return, yes, they get certain perks. But is there any doubt whether the likes of FedEx Corp. chairman Fred Smith and First Horizon National Corp. chairman Mike Rose could afford a road trip to see the Tigers play football in New Orleans or their very own Ambassador's Club sport coats? "Obviously, what they give us, we can't give them in return," Johnson said, "and they know that." Even so, Ambassador's Club membership has grown at a rather stunning rate in recent years. The club was unveiled in late 1998 with nine members and had increased to 12 by early 2001 -- but has doubled since then. "They love the university, and they know the importance of the university to the city," said Harold Byrd, a major U of M donor and non-Ambassador, but whose brother, Bob, recently joined the club. That's how Ambassadors tend to see themselves. In describing their motivation, they frame a big picture -- the athletic program's role in promoting the university, the university's importance to the city, the city's potential to grow and prosper. "I really think that Memphis is on the brink of breaking through, to have something special happening here -- not just the Memphis Tiger basketball team and not just the university, but the whole city," said Dave Bronczek, FedEx Express chief executive. "Of course, I may be biased to say that because of FedEx being here." Johnson may bleed Tiger blue, but his next-favorite colors must be purple and orange -- 16.6 percent of the Ambassadors work at FedEx: Smith and Bronczek, plus chief financial officer Alan Graf and the newest club member, Lenny Feiler, senior vice president of central support services for FedEx Express. "I don't think I ever said, 'Hey, Lenny, why don't you become an Ambassador?'" Bronczek said. "But now that Lenny has, and I have, and Fred has and Alan has, there's more people at FedEx who I think are looking at it." Ambassadors, though, are a varied lot. Ken Lenoir, one of the newest members, is a former Tiger football player from the 1960s and founder of First Mercantile Trust Co., who said, "I just felt the need. I felt like the university had been good to me in my education. It was time to give something back." Lenoir shrugged off the perks, which also include the right to buy prime seats, increased access to coaches, and regular meetings with Johnson and President Shirley Raines. "I didn't do it for that," he said. "Perks didn't interest me. It was the university. The university means a lot to the city. It's an investment." Which isn't to say these corporate-titan types don't care so much about winning games and chasing titles. Talk football sometime with Fred Smith, or basketball with Mike Rose, and you'll learn otherwise. The Ambassadors are fans. At the recent club gathering, basketball coach John Calipari spoke for a few minutes about the 2007-2008 Tigers, then took questions. The first one: Can we start tomorrow? But they're fans who know the Tigers aren't only competing on the field and court. They're in a major college athletic arms race -- to attract and retain coaches in an age of multimillion-dollar contracts, to woo national recruits easily swayed by the chance to play in higher-profile leagues than Memphis' Conference USA. "The biggest challenge is getting our football program to the point where it pays for itself. And, in a perfect world, actually contributes overall," said Rose, who endorses Mayor Willie Herenton's plan for a new football stadium at the Mid-South Fairgrounds. "At most of the major conference universities, football carries the athletic program. In ours, basketball carries the athletic program." That was a nod to the economics of big-time college sports, where football rules because of its far-greater revenue potential. Consider that for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, Tiger football had revenue of $5 million -- against expenses of $7 million. The University of Tennessee had revenue of $27.7 million -- about the size of last year's entire U of M athletic budget -- against expenses of $12.2 million. Still, Johnson and his Ambassadors had much to celebrate during their recent get-together, in a cocktail party setting on court level at FedExForum. The basketball team is No. 1 or 2 in nearly every national preseason poll. A department record was set recently with $5.6 million collected for the Tiger Scholarship Fund. And the Ambassador's Club had reached two dozen members. The cost of competing in major college athletics is ever-increasing, though. So, too, is the need for donors -- and, when you can get them, superdonors. "Every year I have an objective to try and get at least one more," Johnson said, "and we've been able to do much more." -- David Williams: 529-2310 THE AMBASSADORS Kelly and Dale Armstrong Dave and Judy Bronczek Ben and Martha Bryant Bob and Debra Byrd Hilliard and Harriett Crews William Jr. and Tommie Dunavant Evelyn Echols Lenny and Rhonda Feiler Frank Jr. and Brenda Flautt Alan and Susan Graf Janet and Bob January Al and Carol LaRocca Ken and Sandy Lenoir Bill and Ann Morris Kyle Rice Mike and Debbi Rose Elkan and Laurie Scheidt Fred and Diane Smith Rita Sparks Rick and Sandy Spell Elaine Springer John and Anne Stokes Ron and Wynoka Terry Tom and Robin Watson Source: University of Memphis

07/22/07		Mayor's stadium plan has backers (Commercial Appeal)
		By David Williams Contact July 22, 2007 Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton's plan for a new football stadium at the Mid-South Fairgrounds has some support in high places. "I really do believe that we need a modern football stadium with the majority of the seats with chair-backs, where people can go and have a first-class experience," said Mike Rose, the first member of the University of Memphis' Ambassador's Club of superdonors, who commit $500,000 to the athletic department and generally contribute much more. Rose, perhaps the athletic department's most prominent donor, said a new stadium would help the Tigers overcome their biggest challenge -- turning football into a money-making endeavor. He endorses the fairgrounds site over fellow U of M supporter Harold Byrd's call for an on-campus stadium. "As much as I share Harold Byrd's desire to have it on campus, I don't think that's possible," Rose said. "And therefore, if what you wish for first isn't possible, you take the next-best alternative. And that's what we're working on now." Rose, asked if he was among those who sold Herenton on the stadium idea, said, "I don't know that it took much selling. It was as much Willie's idea as the university. Because I think he understands the issues, and he's been very good to work with, because he's really tried to do everything he can to make it happen." Dave Bronczek, FedEx Express chief executive, also favors a new fairgrounds facility to replace 42-year-old Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. "I do think it needs to be resolved, and get a nicer facility for (coach) Tommy West and the football program to function in," he said. He likened the potential impact of a new football stadium to that of FedExForum, the home of Tiger basketball. Just don't expect it to be called FedExStadium. "We have too many naming rights at the moment (to take on another)," Bronczek said. The city has hired national consultants to study the feasibility of a new stadium, the funding sources for which could include federal New Market Tax Credits and state sales tax rebates along with such stadium-generated revenue as naming rights fees and luxury suite rentals. The consultants' report is expected by late August. However, the rising cost of steel and other factors could put a new stadium beyond the city's financial reach. U of M athletic director R.C. Johnson said about a recent meeting with the consultants, "I think they're still in the mode of gathering all the information right now, but I will tell you: I think the cost might just be so high that it's not plausible. "We may end up having to rehab" the Liberty Bowl. -- David Williams: 529-2310

07/20/07		Calipari proud of Tigers' slate outside league -- Memphis has early start, will face big names in non-conference schedule (Commercial Appeal)
		By Dan Wolken Contact July 20, 2007 University of Memphis season-ticket holders have been busy selecting their seats at FedExForum for the past week. Now, those fans know when they'll be sitting in them this winter. Memphis released its non-conference schedule Thursday. The opponents had already been reported, but the dates had not been released. The Tigers will open the season Nov. 5 -- the first college basketball game in the country -- with a first-round game of the 2K College Hoops Classic Benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer at FedExForum. Though the opponent for that night has not been announced formally, Tennessee-Martin will be Memphis' opener barring a late shift in plans. The schedule includes several highlights, including a Jan. 26 game against Gonzaga and a Feb. 23 game against Tennessee that will fall in the middle of the Conference USA season. The Georgetown and Arizona games, which will be played on consecutive Saturdays in December, are the other marquee home dates. Memphis' league schedule has not been released, but the Tigers know they will play Houston, UAB, Southern Miss, SMU and Tulsa twice and the rest of the league once. East Carolina, UCF and UTEP will play in Memphis, and the Tigers will travel to Marshall, Rice and Tulane. "If it's not the best non-conference schedule in the country, you've got to show me whose schedule is (better)," coach John Calipari said. "Next year, we're adding one of the best Big East teams and one of the best Big Ten teams at home and the year after that we're adding a Big 12 team and another Big East team I think people will be excited about. "Probably within the next month we'll announce the next two years, so it's kind of like a football schedule where it's out there (a few years in advance), which usually doesn't happen in basketball." -- Dan Wolken: 529-2365

07/19/07		Memphis Volleyball Hauls in C-USA Sport Academic Award -- Tiger Volleyball turned in highest semester GPA ever at Memphis (GoTigersGo.com)
		IRVING, Texas - The University of Memphis volleyball squad received the Conference USA Sport Academic Award, as announced by Commissioner Britton Banowsky today. This honor comes after the team posted a 3.68 GPA in the spring semester with 12 of the 15 student-athletes finishing with a 3.5 of higher and seven turning in a perfect 4.0. The 3.68 spring GPA is the highest grade-point finish by any team in the history of Memphis athletics. Head Coach Carrie Yerty's squad posted a 3.485 mark for the 2006-07 school year to earn it second C-USA Academic Award in three years. The 2004-05 squad claimed the scholastic honor after recording a 3.45 GPA in 2005. Memphis volleyball has now logged a team GPA of 3.0 or higher in 20 consecutive semesters, and since 1996, 24 of the 26 seniors have graduated. Rice University earned the C-USA Institutional Excellence Award for the second straight year. The Owls student-athletes combined for an annual grade point average of 3.031, with seven teams representing their respective sport's top GPA. The Owl women's track and field squad also won the C-USA Indoor and Outdoor Championships. The Sport Academic Award is given to the team in each conference-sponsored sport with the highest grade point average for the current academic year. The East Carolina and Marshall women's golf teams shared the award and also posted the highest annual GPA with a 3.61. Following is a list of the Sports Academic award honorees. Sport Recipient GPA Baseball Tulane 3.070 Men's Basketball Tulane 2.820 Women's Basketball Rice 2.871 Men's Cross Country Marshall 3.250 Women's Cross Country Tulsa 3.590 Football Rice 2.742 Men's Golf ECU 3.339 Women's Golf ECU 3.610 Marshall 3.610 Men's Soccer Marshall 3.320 Women's Soccer Rice 3.417 Softball ECU 3.378 Women's Swimming Marshall 3.420 Men's Tennis Rice 3.445 Women's Tennis Rice 3.444 Men's Track Rice 3.099 Women's Track Rice 3.255 Volleyball Memphis 3.485

07/19/07		Tiger Basketball Non-Conference Dates Released -- Memphis to open regular season Nov. 5 (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Tiger fans already know most of the 2007-08 men's basketball opponents, and on Thursday, the dates of Memphis' non-Conference USA portion of the slate were released. The entire schedule, along with times and television, will be announced later. The Tigers tip off the 2007-08 college basketball season Nov. 5 when they host the Memphis Regional first round of the 2K College Hoops Classic (Benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer) at FedExForum. The 2K Classic second round follows on Nov. 6. Other teams participating in the Memphis Regional are to be announced. Other 2K Classic regional sites are Connecticut, Kentucky and Oklahoma. The classic's semifinals and final are to be played Nov. 15-16 at New York City's Madison Square Garden, a familiar venue for the Tigers in the John Calipari era. Memphis makes a return trip to Madison Square Garden Dec. 4 when it meets Southern Cal in one game of the Jimmy V Classic doubleheader. The Tigers also play a neutral-site contest versus Middle Tennessee at the Sommet Center in Nashville Dec. 15. Memphis' lone true non-conference road game is a Dec. 19 contest at Cincinnati. In addition to the 2K Classic region in early November, the Tigers may have the best home non-league schedule in the program's history with Arizona (Dec. 29), Georgetown (Dec. 22), Gonzaga (Jan. 26) and Tennessee (Feb. 23) all visiting FedExForum. All four teams were 2007 NCAA Tournament participants and all are ranked in ESPN.com's summer top-25 poll (Georgetown, No. 5; Tennessee, No. 10; Gonzaga, No. 15; Arizona, No. 20). The Feb. 23 in-state rival match-up with Tennessee will bring ESPN's Gameday crew back to the Bluff City. ESPN Gameday came to Memphis in February 2005 when the Tigers clashed with Louisville. Memphis also has home non-league dates with Arkansas State (Nov. 20), Austin Peay (Nov. 27 or 28), Siena (Jan. 3) and Pepperdine (Jan. 5). The Tigers have one exhibition date slated against Christian Brothers Nov. 12. Although the C-USA schedule will be released later, the Tigers know their home and road conference contests. Memphis plays home-and-home series with Houston, SMU, Southern Miss, Tulsa and UAB. The Tigers host East Carolina, UCF and UTEP, while playing on the road at Marshall, Rice and Tulane. 2007-08 Memphis Basketball Non-League Schedule Nov. 5-6 2K College Hoops Classic FedExForum Benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer Nov. 12 Christian Brothers (Exhibition) FedExForum Nov. 15-16 2K College Hoops Classic New York, N.Y. Benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer Nov. 20 Arkansas State FedExForum Nov. 27 or 28 Austin Peay FedExForum Dec. 4 vs. Southern Cal (Jimmy V Classic) New York, N.Y. Dec. 15 vs. Middle Tennessee Nashville, Tenn. Dec. 19 at Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio Dec. 22 Georgetown FedExForum Dec. 29 Arizona FedExForum Jan. 3 Siena FedExForum Jan. 5 Pepperdine FedExForum Jan. 26 Gonzaga FedExForum Feb. 23 Tennessee (ESPN Gameday) FedExForum Mar. 12-15 Conference USA Tournament FedExForum

07/19/07		Tigers release non-conference basketball schedule (Commercial Appeal)
		The University of Memphis released today the schedule of what may be one of the most ambitious non-conference schedule in the history of its men's basketball program. And many of the games are at FedExForum. The Tigers will play Georgetown (Dec. 22), Arizona (Dec. 29), Gonzaga (Jan. 26) and Tennessee (Feb. 23) in Memphis. They will also open the season on Nov. 5 when they play host to the Memphis Regional in the 2K College Hoops Classic benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer. Other teams in the Memphis regional are Connecticut, Kentucky and Oklahoma. The classic's semifinals and finals will be Nov. 15-16 at Madison Square Garden in New York, where the Tigers will also play Southern California on Dec. 4 in the Jimmy V. Classic doubleheader. Memphis will play a neutral-site game against Middle Tennessee in Nashville on Dec. 15. The Tigers' lone non-conference road game will be Dec. 19 at Cincinnati. The schedule (times and television to be released later): # Nov. 5-6 2K College Hoops Classic at FedExForum # Nov. 12 Christian Brothers (Exhibition) at FedExForum # Nov. 15-16 2K College Hoops Classic at New York # Nov. 20 Arkansas State at FedExForum # Nov. 27 or 28 Austin Peay at FedExForum # Dec. 4 vs. Southern Cal (Jimmy V Classic) New York # Dec. 15 vs. Middle Tennessee at Nashville # Dec. 19 at Cincinnati # Dec. 22 Georgetown at FedExForum # Dec. 29 Arizona at FedExForum # Jan. 3 Siena at FedExForum # Jan. 5 Pepperdine at FedExForum # Jan. 26 Gonzaga at FedExForum # Feb. 23 Tennessee (ESPN Gameday) at FedExForum # Mar. 12-15 Conference USA Tournament at FedExForum

07/19/07		Price tag may scuttle Liberty Bowl rehab dreams -- Soaring construction estimates could mean a job (Commercial Appeal)
		By David Williams Contact July 18, 2007 When University of Memphis officials met with national consultants to present their wish list for a new football stadium, "It was like being with Santa Claus," said athletic director R.C. Johnson. "They said, 'What do you want?' " But Johnson knows Christmas may not come -- the city's proposed new stadium on the Mid-South Fairgrounds could be financially doomed by such factors as the skyrocketing cost of steel and strong sentiment against building anything less than a state-of-the-art facility. "They said prices are escalating," Johnson said of the recent meeting with consultants. "I think they're still in the mode of gathering all the information right now, but I will tell you: I think the cost might just be so high that it's not plausible. "We may end up having to rehab" 42-year-old Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Johnson indicated that was an acceptable fallback: "From our standpoint, we'd love to have a new stadium. But if we can't, and they fix up the Liberty Bowl -- that's what we thought was going to happen anyway." The price tag was estimated at $150 million to $175 million when Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton briefed the City Council on his stadium plan in February. Twenty potential funding sources were outlined, from federal New Market Tax Credits and state sales tax rebates to stadium naming rights and luxury suite leases -- although not property taxes. But despite his strong stadium push, Herenton said that day: "If the scenarios that we're proposing fail to generate the necessary revenues, then we won't do the project." The national consultants -- Conventions, Sports & Leisure International and HOK Sport -- expect to deliver their report on stadium feasibility and financing by late August, and so for now company officials would talk only generally. "There are a number of factors -- steel being one of them, concrete being another," said HOK Sport principal Russ Simons. The cost of Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium reportedly may rise by more than $40 million, in part because of higher steel prices. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Iron and Steel Index increased 77 percent over the last five years. Simons said the consultants are "in the process of doing some comparisons of similar projects ... and what their costs are." He mentioned two current college-stadium projects, at the universities of Minnesota and Central Florida. UCF's Bright House Networks Stadium is a $55 million, 45,301-seat facility that's considered too modest for Memphis' needs. The Minnesota stadium appears a more likely model -- a 50,000-seat facility with both chair-back and bench seats, 36 luxury suites and an indoor club. But the price tag for TCF Bank Stadium is, at $288 million, dramatically higher than the Herenton administration's high estimate of $175 million. Fred Jones, whose Southern Heritage Classic is a primary tenant along with the U of M and the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, also anticipates a price tag much higher than the city's estimate. "I get the feeling $300 million is going to be a mark -- that if you do anything less than $300 million, you're not going to have state of the art," Jones said. He said that figure is "based on the conversation with the consultants and just what's happening in the stadium-building area today." Jones, on the issue of building vs. renovating, said, "What I simply want is the best that we -- we, meaning the city -- can afford, to give the best game-day experience that we possibly can. "I would love to have a new stadium. But in the meantime, if we can't get there, then we need to make the Liberty Bowl stadium the best that it can be." Simons, asked if state-of-the-art is possible for less than $200 million, said: "I'm just really reluctant to say yes, no, maybe. ... I really don't know the answer." City chief financial officer Robert Lipscomb acknowledged the rising materials costs, but said it's premature to say a new stadium is cost-prohibitive: "I just don't know -- that's what the study is going to tell us." The consultants' report also will look at the prospects for updating the Liberty Bowl, which has Americans with Disabilities Act compliance issues. Steve Ehrhart, executive director of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, said the consultants' report will be essential to the process, replacing speculation and fluctuating estimates with hard numbers. "We really need to drill down and get the real facts of the situation," he said. If the city decides to build a stadium, the major issue for Ehrhart is capacity. For his game to remain competitive and viable, he said, a new facility should be close to the Liberty Bowl's 62,000-plus capacity. "If it's going to be a few thousand less than 62,000, we're not saying the sky will fall," Ehrhart said. "But if you're going to go below 55,000 -- that's a deal-breaker." The average capacity for bowl games in 2006 was 61,367, he said. Jones also prefers a Liberty Bowl-sized stadium for his Classic: "I think that anything less than 55,000 (capacity) wouldn't be in my best interests." The U of M, which approaches capacity only for its bigger games, prefers 50,000 to 55,000 seats, Johnson said. -- David Williams: 529-2310

07/19/07		Morris twins stick with Tigers -- Duo expected to go to prep school, then on to Memphis (Commercial Appeal)
		By Dan Wolken Contact July 19, 2007 Twins Marcus and Markieff Morris are still committed to play basketball at the University of Memphis after all. Just days after telling the Philadelphia Daily News they had re-opened their recruitment, the Morris twins reaffirmed their pledge to coach John Calipari and will arrive on campus in the fall of 2008, according to their mother, Angel Morris. "They wanted to see other schools, see what was going on with other schools," Angel Morris said Wednesday. "But as we sat down as a family and talked about it, everything worked out, and (Memphis) is exactly where we're going and what we're doing." The Morris twins, both top-100 prospects, signed letters of intent with Memphis last fall and graduated from Philadelphia Prep Charter in the spring. When they signed, the understanding among all parties was that the twins would go to prep school for a year, re-sign with Memphis, then enroll in college in 2008. But that plan seemed off track when the twins said they were going to consider other colleges, prompting Calipari and assistant coach Derek Kellogg to make an unscheduled trip to Philadelphia on Saturday in hopes of clarifying the situation. "(Calipari) came and said, 'Nothing has changed with us; we still want you,'" Angel Morris said. "The boys were satisfied with that. That's where we're going to stay at. By the end of the month, we'll definitely have a prep school. They're going to prep school, and in September of '08 they'll be on the Memphis campus." That's good news for the Memphis coaching staff, which had backed off recruiting several top players at the forward positions because they had the twins on board. "I was never worried because I knew why they chose Memphis in the first place," Calipari said Wednesday. Marcus Morris, a 6-7 small forward, is ranked No. 34 overall by Rivals.com in the class of 2008. Markieff Morris, at 6-8, is more of a low post player and ranked 94th by Rivals. With their commitments secure once again, Calipari can go back to work on the rest of his 2008 recruiting class. Memphis is still hoping to secure a commitment from Puerto Rican wing/forward Angel Garcia and St. George's guard Elliot Williams. The Tigers are also involved with 6-6 Craigmont guard Terrico White, who drew a crowd that included Calipari, Tennessee's Bruce Pearl, Missouri's Mike Anderson, Arkansas' John Pelphrey and UTEP's Tony Barbee at last weekend's Battle on the Bluff AAU Tournament. -- Dan Wolken: 529-2365 More info: The Tigers' Class of 2008 Committed Marcus Morris, 6-7 forward, Philadelphia Markieff Morris, 6-8 forward, Philadelphia Top targets Angel Garcia, 6-10 forward, East Chicago, Ind. Terrico White, 6-6 guard, Craigmont High Elliot Williams, 6-4 guard, St. George's

07/19/07		Community Notebook: Memphis' Grant returns to Lambuth for soccer camp (Jackson Sun)
		By DAVID THOMAS dgthomas@jacksonsun.com Richie Grant will forever be grateful to Lambuth University and head football coach Vic Wallace. Lambuth gave him a chance, which led to him becoming an NCAA Division I men's soccer coach at the University of Memphis. "I had a great experience at Lambuth," Grant said. "Vic Wallace hired me in 1995 when I was 25, and he took a chance." But it wasn't by chance Grant succeeded at Lambuth and was hired by Memphis four years later. Grant returned to Lambuth this week for his annual soccer camp, which concludes today. "We have our residential camp here with 275 campers," Grant said. "I saw several former players, coaches ... even have former campers here. Lambuth is so special, so many fond memories, and the camp is a special place to spend a week." Two of the players Grant recruited to Lambuth are the school's present men's and women's soccer coaches, Paul Conway and Simon Duffy . " Chris Leonardi , the (University School of Jackson) coach, played for me," Grant said. "And Gerry Cleary, who won the NAIA women's national title at Martin Methodist, was the first international lad I brought here. We have 32 coaches on campus, and we don't want it to get much larger." The camp consists of several age divisions with the majority of campers coming from the Mid-South. But Grant has expanded his territory. "We have kids from Oklahoma, Dallas, Memphis, Nashville, Jackson, Miss., among others," Grant said. "Most of the kids are between 12 and 17. The great thing about the camp is to come back and see how the kids are willing to learn. We have a qualified staff, but the kids have to have fun." Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Grant came to the United States to play college soccer at Green Mountain College in Vermont. Grant completed his ninth season of coaching at Memphis with a 10-8 record after starting 8-2 and ranked 15th in the country. He believes the game is still on an upward trend in the U.S. and said the arrival of England's David Beckham in Major League Soccer will help.

07/19/07		Dorsey named to Pan-Am USA team (Daily Helmsman)
		By: The Associated Press Issue date: 7/19/07 The United States is bringing a young, but talented, men's basketball team to the Pan American Games, where it has not won gold since 1983, when a guy named Michael Jordan led the squad. There might not be any Jordan's on this roster, but it does have University of Memphis forward Joey Dorsey and Final Four participant Roy Hibbert, the center from Georgetown and Big East rookie of the year Scottie Reynolds, a guard who plays for U.S. coach Jay Wright at Villanova. Other notables are Michigan State guard Drew Neitzel, who made the Big Ten's all-conference team; and two players who sparked the turnaround at Washington State, forward Kyle Weaver and guard Derrick Low. Both of them made the Pac-10 first team. "The trials were as competitive as any we have ever had," said Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, chairman of the selection committee. "With the group of 14 finalists there is really good balance. We've got good inside guys, we've got good wing players and the point guards have really come on. "I don't know that we have a superstar type player, but we've got really good balance and the players worked very hard, and they look like they'll be good teammates - guys who will play well together, which is tremendously important." Also on the squad is all-conference selection Eric Maynor of Virginia Commonwealth (Colonial). Forwards Josh Carter of Texas A&M, Shan Foster of Vanderbilt, James Gist of Maryland, Maarty Leunen and Bryce Taylor of Oregon, and D.J. White of Indiana also made it. So did guard Wayne Ellington of North Carolina. Among the players who did not make the squad were forwards Jon Brockman of Washington, Tasmin Mitchell of LSU and Randal Falker of Southern Illinois; guards Chris Lofton of Tennessee, Mario Chalmers and Sherron Collins of Kansas, Eric Devendorf of Syracuse, Dominic James of Marquette, DeMarcus Nelson of Duke and Sean Singletary of Virginia. "This was definitely the most difficult choice we've ever had to make, but I just love this group. I think we have great options. We've got shooters. We've got penetrators. We've got size. We've got post people. A guy like Hibbert could be a game-changer," Wright said.

07/19/07		Students look forward to fall sports (Daily Helmsman)
		By: Shari Lofton Sports Reporter Issue date: 7/19/07 As the end of summer approaches, to me it seems like the fall is further and further away. Why? Well, being the avid sports fan that I am, I cannot wait until the college sports season. Don't get me wrong. I'm not looking forward to the start of fall semester any more than the next undergrad, but the excitement around The University of Memphis right before the start of the football season is enough to ease the stress of writing a 15-page research paper. Well, almost. Monday, I walked around campus and asked a few students which sport (if any) were they most looking forward to next season. While most students declined to answer due to disinterest in Memphis sports, a few students were willing to give me their opinions on what to watch for. "I love college football," senior interdisciplinary studies major Amber Hawkins said. "Football is the American sport, and I have been going to Memphis football games since I was 11 or 12 years old." Amber said that ever since her parents began getting season tickets when she was a child, she has loved Memphis football and that the 2-10 (1-7 C-USA) 2006 season has not discouraged her from continuing her loyalty to the Tigers. "I told my husband that we should start getting season tickets because I expect them to please the crowd this year and win a few more games." To fans like Amber, the anticipation of whether or not the football team will win more than two games is enough to keep her interest. "Obviously, I'm hoping we'll have a better season in football, so I'll try to get to a couple games," senior journalism student Robert Brogdon said. For that reason and the free food in the press box, I plan to attend a fair number of Memphis football games. However, it is hard to get other U of M students, like graduate student Kevin Buckles to do the same. "I don't really care for sports in general," Buckles said. "I've been to one of the homecoming games and that's about it." Even though he admitted to not following U of M sports that closely, Buckles said that he at least had fun at the game he went to. Even if you do not really understand what's happening on the field, it is still possible to have fun with fellow students, and you might even show a little school spirit in the process. The football team is not the only team that has sparked anticipation over the summer. Believe it or not, but