(11-22-2012 04:44 PM)TennTiger Wrote: (11-22-2012 04:27 PM)TripleA Wrote: (11-22-2012 03:51 PM)TennTiger Wrote: (11-22-2012 03:17 PM)CardsfaninLexington Wrote: It's sad because the Big East was once a great conference. This is what happens when you put the needs of the basketball school ahead of the needs of the football schools. This is what happens when Seton Hall and Depaul have the same voting power as as WVU and Louisville. The previous admins didn't realize this and look at what happened.
No, what's sad is that the Big East tried to make a basketball driven conference into a football conference.
It's pretty obvious that you're a Tiger basketball only fan.
Says the guy who lives in Atlanta. Exactly how many games have you attended this year, or last year? How many times did you sit there able to single handily count the official attendance? I am a Tigers fan, both basketball and football. But I'm not a naive fan who thinks that Memphis football can one day be on the same level as Tennessee, Texas or Alabama or even Ole Miss for that matter. That is never going to happen. And the sooner Tiger fans realize that the better off they will be.
You picked on the wrong guy at the wrong time. I'm already in a bad mood tonight.
I'm 65, born and raised in Memphis, a Tiger alum, and attended my first Tiger football and basketball games in 1952, at the age of 5,
so I'm not naive about Tiger football. Attended both sports in person regularly, until leaving town in 1977 for my business career. Would live there now, if my kids and grandkids weren't in Atlanta. Still followed both sports as closely as possible, and
continued to attend games in both sports, almost every year, right up until the present.
I have seen every football coach in person, coaching multiple games, from Ralph Hatley to Justin Fuente. I personally knew Spook Murphy, who was my uncle's college roommate at Mississippi State.
Have seen many, many Tiger BB games with all coaches from Gene Lambert to Josh Pastner. Knew Calipari, as an acquaintance, and am good friends with Pastner.
I was at the Tulane football game 2 weeks ago, sitting with Billy Fletcher, Harry Schuh and Chuck Brooks, all Tiger football legends from the 1960s, all 3 All-Americans and NFL players. Tailgated with friends all afternoon, as I try to do
at least once a year, if not more.
Went to the North Florida BB game at the FedEx forum last week. Watched from the university's hospitality suite on the club level.
Usually attend several basketball games a year.
Am a member of the Memphis Alumni Association, as well as the Rebounders BB booster club. Have 2 grandsons who are die-hard Memphis Tiger fans, although neither is associated with the city of Memphis, or the university.
My parents, and later me, as well, had season tickets to Tiger basketball every year from the 1950s until the 1990s. I held season tickets as late as 2010, before becoming so ill I had to give them up, and miss one year of attending games. Back at it now.
Other things I recall, from memory:
Crump Stadium - went to countless football games there. Many more at Memphis Memorial Stadium/Liberty Bowl.
Recall the Citadel game in 1958, sat in the rain. We lost a close one. Got them back in 1961, 40-0.
The old Fieldhouse (now Elma Roane) - went there for years from 1952 until the MSC opened in the early 60s. Recall the athletic dorm windows overlooked the court, a few feet behind the basket. Still remember seeing students watching the basketball games, through metal screens on their windows.
Still recall watching the Tigers play on TV in '57 NIT, back when it attracted top teams. Beat St. Bonaventure in the semis by 2 points. Lost to Bradley by one. The refs screwed us.
Was at MSG when we lost to Oral Roberts. Richard Fuqua scored 44 points for them.
Saw us beat Miss. St. in BB at Ellis Auditorium in 1963(?), right after a snow storm rendered the streets almost impassable.
Players I’ve seen play BB in person: Forest Arnold, Win Wilfong, Jack Butcher, Mike Butler, Larry Finch, Robinson, Kenon, Keith Lee, Perry, Turner, Holmes, John Gunn, Penny Hardaway, Wright, etc. etc.
Players I’ve seen play FB in person: James Earl Wright, Billy Fletcher, Chuck Brooks, Harry Schuh, Isaac Bruce, DeAngelo Williams, Dontari Poe, etc.
Attended John Gunn’s memorial service at Memphis State.
Before the internet, and after 1977, I called my mom long distance and listened to a few entire games over the phone, while she turned up the TV volume.
Founded and operated TrueBlueTigers.com for several years. Wrote over 200 blogs on Tiger football and basketball.
Attend watch parties in Atlanta on a regular basis, even though I have to drive almost 100 miles round trip, to do so.
I was there in person, at the 2008 F4 in San Antonio. Both games.
I could go on, but perhaps you get the point. I know a little about Tiger sports.
I am NOT naive about Tiger football, and I never said we could be Alabama, or anybody else.
So don't lecture me on what I should or should not realize about Tiger football. From your posts, you apparently don't care much for Tiger football. But I do, as much as I do for Tiger basketball, which is infinite.
Now please, sit down, and shut up.