About Memphis Tigers
Football arrived at the University of Memphis in 1912 and the basketball needed 8 more years to start competing with its own program.
The Tigers were members of few conferences but currently they play their games as members of American Athletic Conference, West Division, NCAA Division I.
The university colours are blue and grey and the mascots representing the college are Pouncer, a costumed tiger and TOM III, a live tiger. The Tigers have few fierce rivalries including Ole Miss Rebels one, as well as rivalries with Louisville Cardinals, Southern Miss Golden Eagles and Tennessee Volunteers.
Football programs at Memphis won five conference titles and have all- time record of 455-505-33 and 9 appearances in Bowl games including their first game at Burley Bowl resulting in a win against East Tennessee in 1956 and their last game in Birmingham Bowl, in 2015 where the Tigers lost to Auburn. Overall the Tigers are 5-4 in Bowl games.
Some Tigers that finished playing in NFL include Pro Bowlers, DeAngelo Williams and Isaac Bruce. Williams, a running back who spent most of his career with the Panthers was voted to Pro Bowl in 2009, he twice led the league in rushing touchdowns and he is Carolina’s franchise record holder in many areas including single game rushing yards record with 210.
Bruce, wide receiver played mostly for the Rams and he won Super Bowl with them. He’s been chosen to 4 Pro Bowls and he belongs to 1000 catch and 15000 receiving yards clubs as well as being the Rams franchise all- time leader in receptions, receiving touchdowns and yards.
As far as basketball goes, there appears to be a bit more success as the Tigers ended up as NCAA tournament runner ups twice out of 26 NCAA tournaments they took part in that resulted also in 3 the Final Four and 6 the Elite Eight appearances.
The university also were 11 times conference tournament champions and 16 conference regular season champions.
There have been over 50 Tigers drafted by NBA teams and in 2010 Memphis became the only second college to have two consecutive NBA Rookies of the Year winners in Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans.
Rose, drafted 1st overall by Bulls was named NBA MVP in 2011 as well as chosen to three NBA All- Star games.
Evans, drafted 4th overall by the Kings year later was named to NBA All- Rookie First Team and NBA Rookie Challenge co- MVP.
Despite not having national championships to their name, university of Memphis enjoyed some success and some of its athletes have had fulfilling pro careers after leaving the university.
