So along with 18,000+ fellow Memphians and Tiger fans (excluding the 5,000 who unfortunately couldn’t get in), we packed the FedEx Forum last Friday night to check out our 2009-2010 UM Tiger basketball teams. And it was even more exciting that I’d anticipated. The Spirit Squad and pep band helped generate the mood as we scrambled to find seats, but then… lights out…and thunderous applause!

We were first introduced to the women’s team and head coach Melissa McFerrin, who proclaimed that “nobody does madness like Memphis” before showing off her team during a 10 minute practice. And… lights out again! Yo Gotti appeared on the jumbo screen, then at midcourt with a performance that got the crowd off its feet. Which was good timing, because he was followed by the official introduction of the men’s basketball coaching staff and 2009-2010 TIGERS!

No surprise that the loudest applause-other than that for new head coach Josh Pastner- was reserved for seniors Willie Kemp, Doneal Mack and Pierre Henderson-Niles. And the crowd’s response to the historical video montage was thunderous, especially during the clips of Derrick Rose, Joey Dorsey and the 2007-2008 team. Just when I thought I couldn’t get more emotional at a sports event, Josh Pastner welcomed the crowd with the challenge that “if there is any thought…that this isn’t the best fan base in the entire world, they don’t know what they’re talking about. This is your team, this is the city’s team.” Willie Kemp thanked the crowd and said hi his mom. Doneal Mack shared that there wasn’t a better a place for him to spend his birthday (which it was). Pierre Henderson-Niles gave a shout out to Memphis and his fans.

Then there was the 3 point contest, won by Willie Kemp, Doneal Mack and one exhilarated fan. Personally, I loved the slam dunk contest that followed. And not just because the judges were Rudy Gay, Allen Iverson and Penny Hardaway (I saw Penny play back in the good ole days when we were both UM undergraduates). Will Coleman “kissed the rim” and edged out Wesley Witherspoon, D.J. Stephens and Elliot Williams for the win. And then the capacity crowd was treated to a sneak peek at the team’s skills on the court. Overall, an evening well worth the wait- and hopefully the first of many once the season officially kicks off on December 5 against Arkansas State following a short run of exhibitions and Hall of Fame showcase games.

I haven’t told you anything that you couldn’t read in Geoff Calkins’ CA article about the event, or view on CBS’ archived internet broadcast. And I encourage you to check out the great footage and dialogue out there (especially that by actual sportscasters)! But I do want to add a few thoughts as a UM alumna, Tiger fan and long time Memphian. And someone who just admitted getting a bit teary by the whole affair.

Sure, it was a basketball event. But it was also more. It was an opportunity for diverse Memphians to come together and collectively cheer for something good in our community. As Coach Pastner said, the Tigers are the city’s team. They’ve been accused in the past of being too rough around the edges to make it to the top. So has Memphis! And yet we know that the Tigers-and Memphis-are proud, strong and scrappy. We’ve had our ups and downs, but with Josh Pastner and the 2009-2010 team we have a new hope. And I’m thrilled to have been part of the new start!

Allen Iverson, Basketball, FedExForum, Grizzlies, Josh Pastner, Memphis Tigers, Penny Hardaway, Rudy Gay, University of Memphis Education, Sports & Recreation