Memphis Sport May/Jun2007 by Mike Bullard

POWER LIST 24

4 STARTING FIVE 6

BRING IT ON

WHAT IF?

8 FAN PAGE

M AWARDS BALLOT 27

GAMING

UNDER REVIEW

12 ALL IN 16

LAP IT UP

18 THE GREAT DEBATE 21 ALL-STARS 32 MEMPHIS MADE

KINGS OF MEMPHIS 29

SPORTS BIZ

PRO TIPS

38 GET FIT

42 TAILGATING 44 JACK’S BACK

CONTENTS MAY/JUNE 2007 VOL 1 NUM 6

PUBLISHER’S NOTE Publisher Mike Bullard 901.229.4749 mike@memphissport.net Editor-At-Large Laura Blanton Editorial Directors Kevin Cerrito kevin@memphissport.net Randy Malone randy@memphissport.net Contributing Writers Will Askew Ron Caldwell Kevin Cerrito Kristen Cook Terry Davis Tim Duncan Jack Eaton Peter Edmiston Jan Michael Hartelust Andre T. Johnson Ed Land Jr. Randy Malone Mandy Polk Contributing Photographers Sean Davis Leigh Ann Williams

True Power With great power comes great responsibility. It’s a great line that you will probably hear a lot this summer, because it couldn’t be more true. The responsibility of those in power is truly a burden. As we see every day in the local papers, political and social responsibilities are often abused. We all have wondered what we would do if we had the power to actually change things—to make things happen. We took a hard look at all the people with the power to make things happen in the world of sports. We call it our Power List. Check it out on page 24. If you’re tired of our opinions and want to give your own instead, check out the ballot for the first annual Memphis Sport Awards, or as we like to call them, “The M Awards.” It’s our way of giving you, the public, a chance to have your voice heard. We have taken the liberty to make a few nominations in each category, but don’t let that stop you from voting for Jared Sandridge as your Favorite Basketball Player or picking your kid’s little league coach for Favorite Coach. We left an open blank for each category so your voice can be heard. We even gave you the chance to add your own category. So feel free to add Worst Game Performance or the Happiest Player. Look for the results in the next issue of Memphis Sport. The voting ends May 31, so cast your ballot now.

Graphic Design Mike Bullard Contributions Memphis Sport will consider, but assumes no responsibility for, unsolicited proposals, manuscripts, photos, and illustrations. All such materials not accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope will not be returned. Memphis Sport retains all reprint rights.

2 | Memphis Sport

Mike Bullard, publisher

The cover we didn’t use...

CHATTER FINCH MEMORIES Larry Finch made quite the impression on me, as well as most kids in Memphis during the early 70s. I distinctly remember emulating his every move on the floor as the Tigers marched to the Final Four. As I got older and began to understand the social significance of Larry staying in Memphis and playing for the Tigers, I gained even more respect for him. It galvanized this city like nothing before nor anything after. I can’t fully state the level of my respect for Larry Finch as a basketball icon and a man. He will always be Tigers basketball. He will always be Memphis. John S. Memphis PUBLISHER: We received a slew of emails like these. I only wish we could print them all. Visit www.coachfinch.org to learn more about how you can help the great Coach Larry Finch.

The bank you wish would open here, is here.

TRIUMPH Triumph Bank is now open in our new headquarters, Poplar at I-240. We offer full service personal and business banking. But more than that, we offer something that seems to have disappeared in the Memphis area: A completely local bank. Everything we do will stay local, including loan decisions. We call this the power of here. You have more power over your finances, and we have the power to make things happen. Come see our new headquarters, or visit our Saddle Creek office. Triumph Bank is here. And here we will stay. Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

Poplar and I-240, Memphis • 2171 Judicial Drive, Suite 101, Germantown • 901-333-8800 • triumphbank.com

STADIUM DEBATE I agree that we shouldn’t be forced to pay for a new stadium, but I can’t for the life of me understand why people can’t see that a new football stadium would be a huge boon to the University and this city. If we, the citizens, don’t have to pay for it, then build it—and build it big. Pete R. Cordova, TN

BRING IT ON How about a full issue of nothing but cheerleaders? Without a doubt, that is the best page in the magazine. Bring it on, indeed. Robert R. Cordova PUBLISHER: It appears the cheerleaders now have a cheerleader. Keep cheering. Do you love Memphis Sport or hate it? Send me an email at mike@memphissport.net and let me know what is on your mind.

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STARTING FIVE

five questions with...

Stubby Clapp In his four years with the Memphis Redbirds, Clapp hit .269 with 87 doubles, 19 triples, 222 walks, and 258 runs scored. He holds the club’s career records for doubles, triples, walks, and runs. On April 21, 2007, Stubby became the first Memphis Redbird to have his jersey retired.

1. What do you think is the reason that Memphis grew so attached to you in your stint with the Redbirds? The timing was just perfect. I spent a lot of years in Memphis, and I was there at the right time and the right spot when they built that new stadium. It was just perfect timing.

2. How did you get the name, “Stubby”? It’s a fifth generation family nickname.

3. Where did the flipping come from? It came from Ozzie Smith. The flip just always reminded me that you can have fun while you’re doing your job. I was just young enough and not smart enough to realize that you can get hurt doing that.

4. Have you ever missed the landing? Not yet.

5. Is there life after baseball for you or will you be in baseball forever? Hopefully, I will be in baseball forever. Currently, I am the hitting coach for the Greeneville Astros organization in East Tennessee.

4 | Memphis Sport

5 News Stories We Would Like To See 1. Tiger Woods wins the Stanford St. Jude Classic 2. Memphis Grizzlies sign Greg Oden 3. Memphis named the healthiest city in the country 4. Stubby Clapp runs for Mayor of Memphis 5. Tigers basketball sold out for 2007-2008

5 Other Possible Locations For The Proposed New Football Stadium

5 Area Players Who Made An Impact During March Madness

1. Tear down the pyramid and build it there 2. Desoto County 3. Mud Island 4. Mall of Memphis 5. Mayor Herentonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s backyard

1. Jeremy Hunt, Memphis

5 Best Golf Movies Ever 1. Caddyshack One of the best stupid movies of all time. Childish, idiotic and totally entertaining. 2. Happy Gilmore No golf movie will ever have a better scene than the one where Bob Barker gets down and dirty.

2. Derrick Byars, Vanderbilt 3. Dane Bradshaw, Tennessee 4. Armentie Price, Ole Miss 5. Andre Allen, Memphis

3. The Legend of Bagger Vance No, this is not the story of Vance Veazey and his life on the tour as a bagger. 4. Follow the Sun The story of Ben Hogan filmed in 1951. It is truly a sappy movie but it has a great story. 5. Tin Cup An all-star cast of Kevin Costner, Don Johnson, Rene Russo and Cheech Marin. Costner plays a washed up golf pro and love amatuer. Cheech is Cool.

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BRING IT ON What is Memphis Elite? Memphis Elite is an all-star cheerleading program that competes in local, national, and world competitions. We don’t cheer for any other sport teams; we practice all year and compete in lots of competitions. Most recent competition? We recently went to the National All-Star Competition in Orlando, Florida, where we placed second overall. What is the ultimate goal for you in terms of cheering? I would like to cheer on the Crimson Tide at the University of Alabama. Roll Tide Roll! My dad graduated from there, and I have wanted to go since I was little. What’s the worst mistake you ever made while cheering? Well it’s actually the same mistake, but it’s happened twice. During two of our show nights (where our friends and parents come watch our routine before we leave for a competition), I did not tie my shoe tight enough and it fell off in the very beginning of the routine. I had to finish my tumbling with one shoe on. It was very embarrassing. What’s the most dangerous stunt you have been a part of ? A lot of college-level stunts, like back flip basket tosses, are illegal in the all-star division, but I have done a lot of them in my free time just playing around with co-ed stunters. Do you attend any sporting events in Memphis? Yes, I love to go to Memphis Redbirds games in the summer. Our team also works U of M football and basketball game concession stands as fundraisers for our team. Our coaches at Memphis Elite also coach University of Memphis cheer and dance, so we are always watching them in games and cheering them on. Favorite food? Sushi Jessica Simpson or Ashley Simpson? Jessica Simpson 24 or Lost? 24 The Hills or Laguna Beach? The Hills M

Parker :: MEMPHIS ELITE :: by MIKE BULLARD • photo by LEIGH ANN WILLIAMS

6 | Memphis Sport

WHAT IF?

What If D-wash had Stayed? by JAN MICHAEL HARTELUST • photo courtesy of UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

his was not supposed to happen. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the University of Memphis men’s basketball team. Or so the experts said. No one could have predicted another Elite 8 appearance from this group of Tigers. But then again, most teams don’t get better by losing two first-round NBA players and a starting point guard.

Kemp or Allen. In fact, he averaged 13.4 points per game in his sophomore season—more than Allen and Kemp’s combined total of 11.7 this season. He also shot a higher percentage from the field than either player. It would have been nice to have Washington’s 78.3 percent shooting from the free throw line to

Rodney Carney was a senior and Shawne Williams was practically a surefire one-anddone. Many thought Darius Washington should have stayed, because he seemed to have a stronger season as a freshman than as a sophomore. We may never know why he decided to go pro, but what if Darius Washington had stayed at the U of M? There certainly would have been a logjam at the point guard position with freshman Willie Kemp and junior Andre Allen both in the mix. Washington may have been moved to the two guard, as it would have been a more natural position considering his propensity for shooting the ball. With Washington at two, Kemp and Allen would be left splitting time at point, much like they did this season. Washington’s point production was much higher than either

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FAN PAGE UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE

Steve Cohen by RANDY MALONE • photo by SEAN DAVIS

t didn’t take long for Steve Cohen to show his fellow congressmen on Capitol Hill that he was an avid sports fan. Cohen recently introduced legislation (House Resolution 162) that honors the players of the Negro Baseball Leagues and calls for the establishment of a Negro Leaguers Recognition Day. After that, congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle were keenly aware of Cohen’s passion for sports, especially baseball. “As a child, I attended an exhibition game back in 1955 between the Cardinals and the White Sox at old Russwood Park and had the opportunity to meet Minnie Minoso,” Cohen says. “It was at that game that Minnie became my baseball hero and favorite player.” During the game, Minoso noticed the young Cohen, who had been stricken with polio and was using crutches, sitting in the stands. Minoso autographed a baseball and asked a white teammate to deliver the ball to Cohen. It was a gesture that made Cohen a fan for life. “It was a life-altering event,” Cohen says. “The fact that a grown black man did not feel he could hand a baseball directly to a white child because of racial discrimination has never left me, nor has the extreme kindness and compassion of Minnie Minoso, who I will always consider one of my heroes.” That single event started Cohen’s lifelong love affair with sports. And regardless of what some pundits may say, Cohen believes Memphis is a great place to be a sports fan. “I think when the community gets behind the product and the teams, Memphis is as good a sports town as any in the country,” he says. “College basketball is a good example, with the Tigers and what they’ve done recently and how the city has embraced that team and supported them.”

8 | Memphis Sport

Cohen believes Memphis is a quality sports city, despite the failed attempt in the early 90s to land an expansion NFL franchise and the cool reception the Houston Oilers received from local football fans during their brief stay in Memphis. Had Memphis been awarded a franchise, Cohen believes the team would’ve enjoyed tremendous success. “I guess if we had built a stadium, things might’ve turned out different,” he says. “But building a stadium without having a team is a real risky venture. In the long run, things turned out just right for Memphis when we got professional basketball. As any Memphian can tell you, Memphis is a basketball town.” When he’s not in Washington D.C., Cohen makes the most of every opportunity to support Memphis teams, and baseball is still the sport nearest to his heart. In fact, Cohen served on the Memphis Redbirds Foundation for nearly six years. “I’ve had an interest in baseball ever since I was a child and grew up following the Chicks,” he says. “And what the Redbirds have done to re-energize the city and bring fans back to the games has been tremendous.” Cohen acknowledges that it’s not always easy being a fan of Memphis teams. Last year’s Tiger football season was one of the more grueling seasons for Cohen, who seldom misses a Tiger home football game. “Last season was tough, because we all thought we’d turned the corner as a program,” he says, “and we might have, had it not been for a few injuries to some key players last year. I do believe in what Tommy’s doing over there, and I’m confident that the Tigers will be back in a bowl game soon.” M

WHAT IF? continued from page 7

supplement Kemp and Allen’s respective 41 and 52 percentages. Their main difference, statistically speaking, comes in the form of assist/ turnover ratio—possibly the most important stat for a point guard. Allen and Kemp were both above 1.5:1 this season, while Washington averaged slightly more turnovers than assists in his sophomore season. Antonio Anderson actually led the Tigers in this category this season with a ratio of 2.6:1, showing this team’s incredible versatility among its guards. There were at least a handful of coaches who played against both the 05-06 and 06-07 Tiger teams and thought this year’s group was better. There were times during the 2005-06 season when the Tigers seemed to rely on star players perhaps a little too often. The offense even looked a little stagnant at times. This season, the offense seemed to flow much better, more frequently. When the shot clock was winding down, the Tigers often cleared out one side and let Chris DouglasRoberts isolate his man and drive to the basket, but that was often only after the offense failed to produce an open look. In the end, it’s difficult to say whether or not this year’s Tiger basketball team would have been better or worse had Darius Washington stayed for his junior season. One thing is for sure, though: back-to-back Elite 8 appearances are something that every Tiger fan should be proud of. With an abundance of talent and experience set to return next season— along with another great recruiting class that includes the highly touted Derrick Rose—the U of M could be poised for yet another deep run in the NCAA tournament. What if next season’s Tigers celebrate with a Beale Street parade and a championship trophy in tow? M

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GAMING by MIKE BULLARD

Tiger Woods PGA 2007 If it ain’t broke. Don’t fix it. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 is so similar to last year’s version, it makes you wonder why they updated it at all. Of the new bits added to this year’s version, the multiplayer play has received the biggest upgrade. A team tour replaces last year’s ridiculous time traveling rivals mode. So instead of traeling through time to play golf, you get to travel the world. The character creation mode is impressive and has the ability to create crazy and/or hideous golfers. You can even customize your golfer’s swing to match his odd appearance. After completing a few challenges, a few rounds of golf or a tournament or two, you will accrue points which you can use to upgrade your power, accuracy, putting, and more. You can also earn money to buy new clothes and equipment.

The game is nearly complete. The only thing really missing is the ability to design your own course. But if they did that, the game might well be perfect, and they have to save something for next year’s release. The good news: It’s a great game. It looks great. It plays great. The bad news: It’s essentially the same game as last year. M

PRICE: $19.99 - $49.99 AVAILABLE FOR: Wii, XBOX 360, XBOX, PC, PSP, Playstation 2 and Playstation 3 GRADE: A

UNDER REVIEW by MIKE BULLARD

The Tim Thompson Story The story of Tim Thompson is not just a story of one of the most successful coaches in the Memphis area. It is the story of what that success meant to him. Tim Thompson took over the reigns of a team in one of most dangerous areas, not only of Memphis, but of the entire country. What took place next is the kind of story that Disney movies are made of. The football team started winning and the drop out rates declined. The drug dealers and the gang members woud start coming to the games and cheer on the team right alongside the preachers and the teachers. The community came together to rally behind the team and as a result the community started to thrive. The changes that

10 | Memphis Sport

took place were dramatic, as as the team started to draw fans in excess of 30,000 to watch the team play in one of its three state championship games. One of his biggest success stories has been sending over 100 of his players on to play at colleg and numerous players to the pros, including Cedric Wilson of the Pittburgh Steelers, Andre Lott of the Chicago Bears and Dewayne Robertson of the New York Jets. Although the book could have used a better cover, a better binding and better editing, the old adage rings true; “Don’t judge a book by its cover” because the story is what’s important and The Tim Thompson Story is a winner. M

PRICE: $19.99 AVAILABLE AT: Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, Davis-Kidd Booksellers and at www.thetimthompsonstory.com GRADE: B-

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ALL IN

Games of Skill by KEVIN CERRITO • photos by SEAN DAVIS

he gaming places of the future could be the gaming and racing parks of today. Since November, Southland Park Gaming and Racing in West Memphis has been operating an innovative gambling environment that merges technology with traditional table games. Southland still holds regular greyhound races, but the venue’s new addition offers a variety of games, a bar with a stage for live performances, cocktail waitresses, some fancy fountains, a rewards club counter, and an all-you-can-eat buffet. The inside of Southland Park looks and smells like those places down in Tunica. But, Arkansas state law prevents the place from calling itself the “C word.” State legislation passed in 2005 legalized all the new games played at the remodeled park, but also established what verbiage can and cannot be used by those who operate the gaming locations. The park’s numerous machines with spinning sevens and bars are called “electronic games of skill.” Southland’s machines work like the ones in Tunica, except you get two spins for each credit. Your skill is tested when you decide whether to choose any of the continued on page 14

Southland’s machines work like the one’s in Tunica, except you get two spins for each credit.

12 | Memphis Sport

www.memphissport.net | 13

continued from page 12

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symbols from your first spin to use for your second spin.

º°°° `]Ê ½ Ê} }ÊÌ Ê ÃÃÊ iÀ°»

While Southland may not be allowed to call some things by their usual names, they do call a spade a spade. At the park, poker and blackjack are played for money on standard green felt tables with an electronic twist. Instead of paper, the cards are displayed on a screen embedded in the table.

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19-Ê7 t

Multiple blackjack tables with various limits can be found on the gaming area’s main floor. Blackjack players sit at a table with other gamers and a dealer who controls the computerized dealing. Players use traditional chips and hand motions for standing, hitting, splitting, and doubling. The growing popularity of poker in the Mid-South inspired Southland Park officials to do away with a planned meeting space and turn the spot into a poker room instead. Open since April, nine flat-screen plasma televisions hang on the walls of the room with eight PokerPro poker tables that seat 10 players each. Every poker player has an individual touch-screen to peek at his hand and select options. The group as a whole can see community cards and wager on a larger screen in the middle of the table. To monitor all the action, a park employee sits at the front of the room like a grocery store clerk running the self-checkout area. Smaller one-on-one poker tables, along with many specialty themed game nights, are part of the poker room’s future plans. Call it what you want—the new Southland Park is a welcome addition for Memphis gamers. M

14 | Memphis Sport

CENTRE G

1801 Exeter Road, Germantown, Tennessee

(901) 757-7370

Outdoor pool and spray ground Indoor Pool American Red Cross swim lessons for all ages Lifeguard training Water safety instructor certification Water aerobics Lap swim and open swim Swim team Birthday parties and group rentals Dive-in Movies

Outdoor Pool and Splash Ground Opening Saturday, May 26 10 a.m. Celebrate the arrival of summer with family fun and prize drawings.

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LAP IT UP

Day of Thunder by JAN MICHAEL HARTELUST

f you’ve ever dreamed of what it would be like to zip up your race suit, slide into the driver’s seat through the window—who needs doors anyway—and put your foot to the floor of a 600 horsepower steel beast, then wait no more. A trip to Memphis Motorsports Park for the Race-On Driving Experience can make your G-force fueled dream come true. All of the cars at the Park are fully-fledged racing machines—and I mean that quite literally, since all are former NASCAR and BUSCH Series cars with no governing device. These are the exact same cars the pros drive. If you think that sounds a little intimidating, just wait until you slither your way into the driver’s seat. When I found out I was lucky enough to be a driver, I was ready to get my Cole Trickle on. But unlike the smooth stock car driver portrayed by Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder, there are many things I can’t do in a racecar.

As I flew into the turns, I thought there was no way the car was going to hold. I was going to be the guy that put my car into the wall.

When I got there, I nodded right along with the instructor as if I ran with the bootleggers before the sport was born. As I zipped up my suit, I couldn’t help but feel like Louis when Janine was zipping up his Ghost Buster’s uniform—I was born to wear this suit. I was going to set records. And then I got in the car.

Reality hit me square in the face like slamming into the wall coming out of turn four: I had no concept of the level of power harnessed in that engine. As I flew into the turns, I thought there was no way the car was going to hold. I was going to be the guy that put my car into the wall. But I didn’t. The faster I went, the better the car handled itself. Once I got going, the last thing I wanted to do was stop. I’m not even sure how many laps I completed or what my top speed was, because I was so intently focused on the instructor driving the car in front of me. Even though I thought it was exhilarating as is, he spent most of his drive waving for me to catch up. So maybe I was no Cole Trickle, but my drive was still one of the most thrilling things I’ve ever experienced. If you think you’re up to the challenge, definitely try it out, whether you want to drive yourself or just ride with one of the pros. Pop in your copy of Days of Thunder and get your race on. M

16 | Memphis Sport

NASCAR Mid-Season Fantasy Update by ED LAND, JR.

Heading into the 10th race of the season, your Fantasy NASCAR team is in one of three positions on the track. If you’ve made a plethora of great decisions, you’re likely in the lead, maybe even by several car lengths. If you watch each weekly NASCAR race, but don’t make your weekly line-up adjustments, you’re probably in the middle of the pack somewhere, struggling to get past traffic congestion. Then there are the rest of you—three laps down, blowing tires, enduring engine trouble, or making critical mistakes on pit road. If that’s the group you’re in, I’m guessing you didn’t heed the advice given in our pre-season NASCAR fantasy article! So, here’s the deal—if you’re in the lead, don’t let off the gas. Analyze the drivers on your roster. Have they gotten lucky a few times, or are they really the best drivers you can get? Sure, you may have been smart enough to select Jeff Gordon on draft day, but have you been paying attention to the other Jeff in NASCAR’s Top 12? Jeff Burton wasn’t so popular at first, but he’s the second highest performing driver up to this point in the season. Pick up Burton and let his consistency maintain your lead. Remember, a wreck here and a mishap there, and you could fall right back to the pack. If you’re struggling to get separated from the group, just relax and stay focused. It’s likely that many of you simply fell victim to Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s multiple DNFs this season. The good news? Don’t count on those to continue. Junior has a great team, loads of talent, and tons of fans—he’s not going to let you down. At the same time, you can always look for ways to improve your team. Did you draft Kasey Kahne?

Currently 33rd in the point standings, Kahne just isn’t having the year many expected from him. Perhaps you might insert Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, Jamie McMurray, or David Stremme into your starting line-up and put the “HurriKahne” on your bench until he figures things out. For those of you spinning out in turn three, you’ve got to decide what type of competitor you are. We still have over 25 races remaining. Have you already taken off the fire suit, thrown your helmet to the ground, and picked a fight with a competitor? I hope not. If you need to drop multiple drivers

Jeff Burton wasn’t so popular on draft day, but he’s the second highest performing driver this point in the season. from your squad, then do it. If you have to take some risks, then do it. Explore all of your options. Maybe the Kevin Harvick owner in your league would consider trading him. Harvick is 14th in the race standings, lower than what most experts predicted for him at this point in the season. Or you could pick up Mark Martin, despite his part-time status for this season. One thing seems to be sure: when our favorite driver from Arkansas starts, he finishes in the top 10. M

Want to talk NASCAR trash? Visit Ed’s Smacked Trashtalk blog at www.memphissport.net and enter in your comments!

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THE GREAT DEBATE

Tiger Woods? Ever? In Memphis? Featuring Sports56 Personalities: Peter Edmiston of The Morning Rush and Will Askew of Chip Shots

YES.

NO.

When you’re talking about the PGA Tour, there’s only one name that captivates everyone’s attention. Tiger.

The Stanford Group has done a tremendous job in its first year as tournament sponsor. To be quite honest, with the FedEx St. Jude Classic sandwiched between the Masters and the U.S. Open, it was never going to get any of the really big names to come to the tournament. Phil Cannon did a nice job of getting the next tier of players, from perennial contender David Toms to Justin Leonard.

Sure, there’s Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia, Retief Goosen, Adam Scott, and other big names on tour. But there’s only one man who single-handedly can sell tens of thousands of tickets to an event, make ratings soar, and send event organizers into a frenzy of excitement. Tiger. With or without Tiger, hardcore golf fans and casual observers alike will continue to flock to the Stanford St. Jude Championship, as it continues to be one of the most enjoyable events in the Memphis sports arena. But there’s always been a nagging question, and it’s a big one for Memphis sports fans: Will Tiger ever, ever play in Memphis? I say he will. Someday, it will happen. It will not happen this year, and it will not happen next, but it will happen. Unfortunately, the tournament’s new slot on the calendar—one week before the U.S. Open—means that Tiger will not be playing in Memphis anytime soon. That doesn’t mean the tournament will always remain in that slot. If and when it moves, the door will once again be opened for Tiger to appear. Typically, Tiger plays in the events his advertisers sponsor, all the WGC events, the majors, and a few select events. Memphis must get on the list of Tiger’s “other” events. Tiger has been here before—he helped open Target House, the amazing complex where so many St. Jude patients and their families live while receiving treatment. He also held a kids clinic for underprivileged youth put on by First Tee of Memphis and his foundation. He clearly has a heart for philanthropy, and that’s the main reason he will eventually make his way back here. In addition, there’s no question that the field for this year’s Stanford St. Jude Championship is the best it’s been in some time. The course continues to improve and mature, and it’s becoming an interesting challenge along the way. Tiger will take note of these developments as he makes his schedule in the coming years. I have no doubt that through a combination of luck, charity, and timing, Memphis will eventually get a chance to watch Tiger Woods...in person. —Peter Edmiston

18 | Memphis Sport

Now, Stanford has gotten commitments from Garcia, Goosen, and Singh, while holding onto Toms, Leonard, and all the golfers they had before. They have taken advantage of the move to the week before the U.S. Open, as many players want to get a round in at a U.S. course before heading to the toughest track on tour. The question remains—will the Stanford St. Jude ever get Tiger Woods, the world’s most recognizable athlete, to participate in the tournament? As much as I would like to believe that Tiger would eventually come here, I have to say that it will not happen. It’s no secret that Tiger patterns his preparation around the four majors. Only four times in his 11-year career has he ever played the week before a major. In every case, he played the Buick Open, which was the week before the PGA Championship in those particular years. He has never played the week before the Masters, the U.S. Open, or the British Open, and he only rarely plays the week before the PGA. And if you look at the name of the tournament, it’s not hard to figure out why he played the Buick Open those four times—need I remind you that Buick just renewed Tiger’s endorsement deal in February for five years and a reported $40 million? The tournament’s date has helped it get Vijay, Sergio, Retief, and perhaps someday Phil Mickelson. But unfortunately for Phil Cannon and the rest of the tournament bigwigs, where it sits in the schedule also prevents the tournament from getting Tiger. The people over at Stanford have done an amazing job putting this year’s event together. There are more big names this year than ever before. To me, the tournament has two options: concentrate on making this the best non-Tiger tournament on tour, or change its name to the Nike Stanford St. Jude Classic presented by Buick and American Express. I bet he’d come then. —Will Askew

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Why do we play sports? Why do we exhaust ourselves endlessly chasing

Our sports medicine staff specializes in getting athletes off the training table and

one another within fence enclosed grassy meadows or

back on the field as quickly as possible. But

frustrate ourselves by attempting to thwart the laws

we’re not just experts in sports medicine,

of physics that dictate an object at rest will remain at rest

we’re also the leader in general orthopaedics.

or punish ourselves with the unnatural pursuit of

So is it any wonder that the most serious of

conquering environments we have no business

athletes, those from the professional and

wading into?

college ranks, choose Campbell Clinic?

Why? Because it is there. Because the human

And if people whose careers are dependent

spirit won’t take no for an answer. Because adrenaline is

upon healthy bodies think we’re the best, then

a drug that feeds the soul. And because for those lucky

odds are we’re a pretty good choice for weekend

few able to run faster, jump higher, throw farther and

warriors, long-time couch potatoes, or anyone

dive deeper, glory awaits.

who turns an ankle, wrenches a back or twists a wrist.

So we play. But not all of us are built for speed. Fewer still are built to absorb the punishment sports inflict. And none of us are eternally sixteen years old.

So we get hurt. But we don’t mind. Even the biggest, strongest, and fastest of us get hurt. We accept that as part of sport. What we

Because even if you’re tough enough to play with pain, there’s no reason you should have to.

#43

campbell clinic is proud to be the official sports medicine providers for the memphis grizzlies, the memphis redbirds, university of memphis athletics, rhodes college athletics, christian brothers university athletics, the memphis river kings, the kroger st. jude tennis tournament, and ballet memphis.

#43

don’t like, what we detest, is not being able to play.

That’s where Campbell Clinic comes in.

20 | Memphis Sport

CAMPBELL CLINIC Ortho p ae dic s w w w. ca m p b e l lc l i n i c . co m

The Memphis Sport All-Stars section sponsored by Velocity Sports Performance features only the best in area athletics. From the pitching mound to the end zone and from the fairway to the ice rink, the Memphis Sport All-Stars are always looking for new faces to highlight each issue. If you have an achievement worth noting or know someone who does, e-mail your accomplishments along with a photo to allstars@ memphissport.net, and you just may see your face here in an upcoming issue.

www.memphissport.net | 21

The Memphis Sport All-Stars are proudly sponsored by Velocity Sports Performance. Velocity offers the most proven speed, power, and agility programs available, training more than 1,000 athletes a day. All coaches have a human performance-related degree. Velocity specializes in semi-private, small-group training in the only world-class, climate-controlled facility in the areano matter what your age, gender, skill level, athletic, or fitness goals. Call 901.756.7116, mention the Memphis Sport AllStars, and get a FREE training session.

22 | Memphis Sport

www.memphissport.net | 23

the

Power

LIST Complied by Memphis Sport • Descriptions by Kevin Cerrito

Add power to anything and it changes completely. A trip becomes a power trip. A balls becomes a Power Ball. Rangers become Power Rangers. And, a list becomes a Power List. To determine the most powerful people in the Memphis sporting universe, Memphis Sport developed a complex formula based on the control, influence, and importance of local individuals over the past year (since May 1, 2006). The results make up our first annual Power List.

john CALIPARI

popular University of Memphis men’s basketball head coach

24 | Memphis Sport

oach Cal led the Tigers to an undefeated record in Conference USA, took the team to the school’s first consecutive Elite 8 appearances, signed one of the best recruits in U of M history (Derrick Rose), and once again made more national television appearances than anyone in the Memphis sports community.

michael

HEISLEY majority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies

emphis’ favorite Chicago businessman became more involved with team operations when he put the Grizzlies up for sale and stopped Jerry West from making any major moves.

dr. willie w

HERENTON fourth-term Mayor of Memphis

he Mayor proved his power in the ring by defeating Smokin’ Joe Frazier in a lackluster boxing match for charity. Then, Herenton started a never-ending debate when he proposed a new football stadium be built on the old fairgrounds.

jerry

WEST Grizzlies President of Basketball Operations

efore his hands were tied, The Logo did the unthinkable and traded fan favorite Shane Battier. Even though he’s on his way out, J-West is very active in the process of hiring his replacement and a new head coach. Plus, he still controls the team’s long-term future on draft day when he selects the Grizzlies’ next star player.

harold

BYRD prominent Tiger booster and U of M Board of Visitors member

o one in town can get more Tiger fans to attend a pre-game buffet than the Byrdman. Founder and president of the Bank of Bartlett, Byrd is the outspoken Tiger booster whose recognizable face from TV commercials became the face of the “If we build a new stadium for the Tigers, build it on campus” campaign challenging the mayor. He is also leading a crusade in Nashville to get the U of M an independent governing board like the one the University of Tennessee operates.

lmost everyday, local sports fans, executives, players and coaches see or hear what Calkins is thinking. In a November column, Calkins suggested the Grizzlies fire Mike Fratello and hire director of player personnel Tony Barone, Sr. as interim head coach. In December, the Grizzlies front office fired Mike Fratello and hired Tony Barone, Sr.

geoff

CALKINS Commercial Appeal columnist and co-host of Sportstime

www.memphissport.net | 25

jimmy

8SEXTON big-time sports agent

eAngelo Williams got a five-year, $14.5 million contract with Carolina. Stephen Gostkowski signed a four-year, $2.035 million contract with the Patriots. And, Matt Cain inked a $9 million, fouryear contract with the San Francisco Giants. Credit Jimmy Sexton for making all those deals happen this past year. Memphis’ own Jerry McGuire represents a long list of other local and national clients, including World Champion Earl Barron and new Alabama football coach Nick Saban.

alipari is still the head coach of U of M basketball. Plus, Johnson got to accomplish what he may consider a career goal when he hung out with Priscilla Presley and sat next to her at FedExForum.

r.c.

7JOHNSON U of M Athletic Director

pau

hile Memphians still wait for someone to bring Titans pre-season games to town, Chase pulled together a great idea and got Major League Baseball to hold the annual pre-season Civil Rights Game at AutoZone Park.

dave

CHASE Redbirds team president and general manager

26 | Memphis is Sport

GASOL Grizzlies center and current franchise player

he Grizz sold “Pau-er packs” up until the 2006 FIBA World Championship MVP caused a stir when he asked to be a traded in January. If Gasol hadn’t been injured for the first 22 games of the season, the Grizz would have a much worse pick in this summer’s draft and Mike Fratello might have been spotted hanging out at Swig through the spring. M

stands for Memphis. M stands for major league. M stands for magnanimous. M stands for marvelous, master, and most of all, Memphis Sport.

The M Award stands for all that is great in Memphis area sports. And the best part is, it’s all up to you. Remember, you–the readers–will be the only judges for this award. No referees, no coaches poll, and no panel of experts. You vote for the best of the past year in Memphis sports (May 2006- April 2007.) You are in charge here, and what you say goes. You make the picks; we tabulate the results. That’s all there is to it.

Your Information must contain a valid name and email address *Name________________________________ Address_______________________________ City, State and Zip______________________ *email address__________________________ _____________________________________ *required

Favorite Male Athlete

o Jeremy Hunt, U of M Basketball o Mike Miller, Memphis Grizzlies o Loren Roberts, Champions Tour Golfer o Chris Douglas-Roberts, U of M Basketball o Vince Young, Tennessee Titans o DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers o Other_______________________

Favorite Spirit Squad

o Ice Girls, Memphis RiverKings o Grizzlies Dance Team, Memphis Grizzlies o Red Hots, Memphis Redbirds o Memphis Cheerleaders, U of M o Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders o Memphis Dance Team, U of M o Other_______________________ o Grizz, Memphis Grizzlies o Pouncer, U of M o Sheldon, Memphis Riverkings o RiverThing, Memphis RiverKings o Rockey, Memphis Redbirds o Colonel Reb, Ole Miss o T-Rac, Tennessee Titans o Tom II, U of M o Other_______________________

Favorite Team

Favorite Golfer

o John Daly, PGA Tour o Loren Roberts, Champions Tour o Shaun Micheel, PGA Tour o Robbie Greenwell, U of M o Stacey Tate, U of M o Doug Barron, PGA Tour o Other_______________________

Favorite Annual Event Favorite Coach

o Tony Barone, Memphis Grizzlies o John Calipari, U of M Basketball o Tommy West, U of M Football o Jeff Fisher, Tennessee Titans o Kevin McClelland, Memphis RiverKings o Vertie Sails, Southwest Tennessee Basketball o Ed Orgeron, Ole Miss Football o Other_______________________

Favorite Men’s Basketball Player

o Rodney Carney, Philadelphia 76ers o Shawne Williams, Indiana Pacers o Jeremy Hunt, U of M o Chris Douglas-Roberts, U of M o Shane Battier, Houston Rockets o Mike Miller, Memphis Grizzlies o Pau Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies o Other_______________________

Favorite Sporting Venue

o Stacey Tate, U of M Golf o Jenna Kubesch, U of M Softball o Armintie Prince, Chicago Sky o Shoko Mikami, U of M Soccer o Ashley Shields, Houston Comets o Any Roller Derby Girl o Other_______________________ o Memphis Grizzlies o Ole Miss Football o Memphis Redbirds o Tennessee Titans o U of M Basketball o Memphis RiverKings o U of M Football o Other_______________________

o Dan Uggla, Florida Marlins o Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants o Athony Reyes, St. Louis Cardinals o Paul Maholm, Pittsburgh Pirates o Ben Johnson, NY Mets o Stubby Clapp, Former Memphis Redbird o Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals o Other_______________________

Favorite Mascot

o FedExForum o AutoZone Park o LP Field o Vaught-Hemingway Stadium o Mid-South Coliseum o DeSoto Civic Center o Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium o Memphis Motorsports Park o Other_______________________

Favorite Female Athlete

Favorite Baseball Player

o Sam’s Town 250 o Regions Morgan Keegan Championships and Cellular South Cup o Nike Hoops Summit o Stanford St. Jude Classic o Southern Heritage Classic o Conference USA Tournament o AutoZone Liberty Bowl o Other_______________________

OFFICIAL BALLOT

Favorite Women’s Basketball Player o Tamika Whitmore, Indiana Fever o Ashley Shields, Houston Comets o Armintie Price, Chicago Sky o Devin Necaise, U of M o Other_______________________

Favorite Football Player

o DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers o Tony Brown, Tennessee Titans o Isaac Bruce, St. Louis Rams o Cedrick Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers o Duke Calhoun, U of M o Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots o Vince Young, Tennessee Titans o Eli Manning, NY Giants o Other_______________________

Best Game

o 3-22-07, U of M vs. Texas A & M o 2-17-07, U of M vs. Gonzaga o 1-3-07, Grizzlies Record-Breaking Score, Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors o 3-31-07, Civil Rights Game, Cardinals vs. Indians o 11-1-06, Double OT Opening Night, Memphis Grizzlies vs. New York Knicks o 11-26-06, Vince Young Comeback, Tennessee Titans vs. NY Giants o Other_______________________

www.memphissport.net | 27

The Rules: Only one ballot may be filled out per person. Your ballot must include your name and email address and be entered by May 31. It’s not necessary to pick a winner in every category. But in order to be counted, a ballot must contain at least five responses. No cheating. We know cheating when we see it. And we don’t like to see it.

Three Ways To Enter: 1. MAIL YOUR BALLOT: (photocopies are accepted) MEMPHIS SPORT, 1138 N Germantown Pkwy, Suite 101- 176, Cordova, TN 38018 2. FAX YOUR BALLOT: 901-328-1513 3. ONLINE VOTING: www.memphissport.net

Favorite Concessions

o AutoZone Park o LP Field o Vaught-Hemingway Stadium o DeSoto Civic Center o Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium o Memphis Motorsports Park o FedExForum o Other_______________________

Favorite Local Sports Radio Program

o The Chris Vernon Show o Middays with Greg Gaston and Eli Savoie o Sportstime with George Lapides and Geoff Calkins o The Sports Bar with Rob Fischer, Dave Woloshin and Jeff Weinberger o The Morning Rush with Peter Edmiston and Ron Tillery o Other_______________________

Best Hair

o RC Johnson, U of M Athletic Director o John Calipari, U of M Basketball Coach o Glenn Carver, News Channel 3 Sports Director o Mike Miller, Grizzlies Basketball Player o Andre Allen, U of M Basketball Player o Jeremy Hunt, U of M Basketball Player o Gary Parrish, CBSsportsline.com o Other_______________________

Most Memorable Moment

o Jerry Lawler inducted into WWE Hall Of Fame o Brian Davis and Christian Laettner announced as new owners of the Grizzlies o Antonio Anderson makes the free throws in the Sweet Sixteen o Shane Battier is traded o Herenton fights Smokin Joe Frazier o Joey Dorsey calls out Greg Oden o DeAngelo Williams’ first NFL Touchdown o John Calipari confronts Seth Davis on The CBS Selection Sunday Show o Other_______________________

28 | Memphis Sport

Favorite Sports Bar

o Buffalo Wild Wings o Fox and Hound o Hooters o Gill’s o Brookhaven Pub o Jillian’s o Other_______________________

Favorite Sports Television Personality

o Glenn Carver, News Channel 3 Sports Director o Dave Cera, Action News 5 Sports Reporter o Sean Tuohy, Grizzlies TV Analyst o Jarvis Greer, Action News 5 Sports Director o Matt Stark, FOX13 Sports Director o Greg Gaston, ABC24/CW30 Sports Director o Chloe, The Tiger Bookstore Girl o Other_______________________

Favorite Sports Radio Personality

o Jeff Weinberger, Host of The Sports Bar o Eric Hasseltine, Grizzlies play-by-play announcer o Peter Edmiston, Host of Morning Rush o George Lapides, Host of Sportstime o Chris Vernon, Host of The Chris Vernon Show o Dave Woloshin, U of M play-by-play announcer o Jim Erickson, RiverKings play-by-play announcer o Marky B., 98.1 Sports Updates

Create Your Own Award ________________________________ _____________________________________ Winner(s) and/or Nominee(s) _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________

OFFICIAL BALLOT

From legendary coaches and players to brawls and playoff championships, the RiverKings have seen just about everything their 15 years in the Mid-South.

ne of four charter members of the current Central Hockey League, the RiverKings began operations in 1992 in the Mid-South Coliseum. From 1992-2001, Jim Riggs saw it all up close and personal. “The early days were some fascinating times,” says Riggs, who was the team’s general manager for 10 seasons.

The very first home game for the RiverKings at the building affectionately known as “The Round House” was memorable right off the bat. “I checked the box office and with Ticketmaster, and we had pre-sold about 4,500 tickets,” explains Riggs. “I thought we’d have about 5,000 when the game started. But no, we had more than 9,500 and had to turn people away.” Herb Boxer was a coach for the RiverKings during their early days and led the team to the Northern Conference finals in 1996-97. “Those teams had some talent and worked hard,” says Boxer. “It was an exciting atmosphere on the ice and in the crowds.” Brawls, both on the ice and in the stands, were frequent experiences of the hockey-in-the-South motif. “Hockey wasn’t new down here,” says Riggs. “The city had a long history with the affiliates of the Detroit Red Wings and the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL. But, some of the fans could get quite excited and carried away.” In their inaugural season, the RiverKings made the playoffs, losing in the first round. That set the tone for a rich winning tradition for the RiverKings, as they made the playoffs annually from 1995 through 1998. In fact, they owned a 42-29-4 playoff record as they headed back to the post-season in their 15th anniversary season this year.

by RON CALDWELL • photos by LEIGH ANN WILLIAMS (this page) • other photos courtesy of MEMPHIS RIVERKINGS

www.memphissport.net | 29

During the RiverKings’ winning days at the Mid-South Coliseum, Derek Grant became the team leader and all-time leading point scorer. “Those were special times,” says Grant, who now works and lives with his family in Virginia Beach. “I had some great coaches like Herb Boxer and Kevin Evans and some really fantastic teammates. We were all just a bunch of young guys who wanted to play hockey and see how far we could go.” Grant says that he also watched as the Central Hockey League grew and changed. “I came in after the league had been around a couple of years. By the time that I finished, the league was so much more professional and there were a lot of talented players,” Grant says. “It just got better year after year.” In addition to talented skaters and scorers, the RiverKings were known for their outstanding goaltending. Such names as Antoine Mindjimba and Brian Renfrew were fan favorites while Scott Brower became synonymous for stellar net-minding. Today, the CHL Goalie of the Year Award is named in his honor. While the on-ice product was entertaining and a playoff perennial, Riggs says that the promotions were almost as much of a draw. “We did everything,” says Riggs. “You name it, we did it. But, the fans really seemed to enjoy it.” While the first decade of the RiverKings’ history was mostly a high note, the blues came quickly in 1998-99 as the team played its final year in the Mid-South Coliseum. A contentious relationship developed between the building’s management and the RiverKings’ ownership and front office. Meanwhile, the team struggled on the ice, winning just nine games during the entire season—a CHL record in futility. “It was a bad year all the way around,” says Riggs. “We knew that something had to change.” That change came during the off-season when the team moved from the only home it had ever known to the newly built DeSoto Civic Center, an 8,444-seat building in Southaven. photo by John Coffin

But even more changes were afoot. The team hired one of the winningest coaches in minor league hockey, Doug Shedden. “I didn’t know what I was getting into at first,” says Shedden, who now coaches professional hockey in Finland. “But, I used the same formula that had worked at other places.” That meant bringing in players he was familiar with—a core group that could quickly transform the franchise. One of those players was Boston native Don Parsons. “I loved the area and the people from the minute that I got there,” says Parsons. “I knew that we had a chance to do something special.” Sure enough, the RiverKings went from worst to earning a playoff appearance during their inaugural season at the DeSoto Civic Center before being ousted by the Columbus Cottonmouths. But, the “Shedden way” had been established and more playoff berths and titles were on the horizon. Attracting fans, however, was a whole other matter. “It was a challenge at first,” says longtime RiverKing announcer and public relations director Steve McCall, who now is with the Tulsa Oilers. “We worked very hard to get people in DeSoto County interested in hockey, while still maintaining a strong fan base in Memphis.” And the winning helped continue to draw fans. In 2001-02, the RiverKings won the first of their back-to-back CHL President Cups with Parsons leading the team in scoring and Mark Richards stoning opponents between the pipes.

PHOTO CAPTIONS: (left top) Jay Neal with 2003 President’s Championship Cup (left below) RiverKings Team Captain Derek Landmesser (right top) Former Head Coach Herb Boxer (right middle) 1990s RiverKings star Derek Grant (right bottom) Team on ice after first championship in 2002

30 | Memphis Sport

“Obviously, we had a great coach and a lot of talent with great team chemistry,” says Parsons, referring to when the team defeated the Austin Ice Bats in both championship series. In 2002-03, the team was determined to repeat under new ownership when they were bought by Maddox Sports from Horn Chen Sports. But things got interesting in the seventh game of the finals when Kahlil Thomas came up with one of the team’s most memorable moments by securing the Cup with a shot in double overtime. “That was probably one of my most exciting moments as a coach,” says Shedden. “I was running around, hugging everyone.” After the season, Shedden departed for a new opportunity in the American Hockey League, and Richards removed his goalie mask and became the team’s head coach midway through the 2003-04 season. For the next two seasons, the RiverKings struggled and missed out on the playoffs. But, Parsons continued his assault on the record books, eclipsing Grant in scoring, points, and all-time games played. “I knew that it would happen sometime,” says Grant. “Those things never seem to last.” In 2005-06, former NHL forward Kevin McClelland brought a winning tradition to the franchise as he was hired to be the team’s 10th head coach. McClelland won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers while playing alongside “The Great One” Wayne Gretsky. Although the McClelland team missed out on the playoffs in his first season, he righted the ship this season with new players and a new attitude, and the RiverKings got back to the playoffs. “This franchise has a ton of history and tradition, and the fans and the ownership deserve a winner,” says McClelland. “That was our goal, especially in this 15th anniversary season. We wanted to get the RiverKings back where they belong…in the playoffs.” M

photo by Wendy Eagan

www.memphissport.net | 31

MEMPHIS MADE

DARE TO DREAM by ANDRE T. JOHNSON photo courtesy of SOUTHWEST TENNESSEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Ashley Shields A

shley Shields would dare you to ask her if she’s the best. She’d be the first to tell you that ever since she starred as a freshman at Hamilton High during the 1999-2000 season, she knew she had to her playing style so people would stop mentioning her in the same breath as former Collierville High and Tennessee star Nikki McCray, Memphis and Shelby County’s all-time leading scorer. Even though her journey to the WNBA wasn’t as glamorous as McCray’s, could Shields—Memphis’ second all-time leading scorer—still be the best female basketball player to ever put on a uniform in Shelby County? “Oh yeah, most definitely,” the 21-yearold Shields says without hesitation. “Anytime you go to camp and play against guys and do what I do to guys—most girls couldn’t stand a chance. That just made me much better.” And never mind that she’s only played two full seasons of competitive basketball since 2003. With the help of her influential mentor, long-time Southwest Tennessee Community College coach Andrea Martre, Shields was able to make it big. Martre assembled a tape of Shield’s dramatic one-year run as a Lady Saluqi and shipped it to various WNBA front offices. Apparently, even the experts were amazed by what they saw. According to Martre, Shields quickly emerged as the most talked-about prospect days before the recent draft in Cleveland. And when the Houston Comets saw that Shields was available after the Seattle Storm took Purdue’s Katie Gearlds, WNBA commissioner Donna Orender stepped to the podium

32 | Memphis Sport

and announced that Shields was Houston’s eighth pick—officially marking the resurrection of a basketball career that could’ve fallen by the wayside. The former Melrose High star originally signed with the University of Memphis, but she never played a minute for the Lady Tigers because of failing grades. What’s even more astounding is that Shields was selected ahead of several of the nation’s premiere players, most notably North Carolina’s Ivory Latta, the 2006 ACC Player of the Year, Consensus AllAmerican, and National Player of the Year. “That’s amazing,” Shields says. “That’s a good privilege for me. When my name was called, chills went through my body. I knew I was going to get drafted, but in the first round like that? They said this draft was going to be kind of crazy.” Credit Shields, the first-ever junior college player taken in the WNBA draft, for pulling off the biggest surprise on draft day. But looking back on her one-year display at Southwest—she also played one year at Northwest Mississippi Community College—no one should really be surprised that WNBA GMs collectively aimed their radars toward Shields. Shields led the Lady Saluqis in nearly every statistical category on the way to being named to the 2007 Junior College/Community College Kodak/WBCA All-American Team. The 5’11” guard will be mostly remembered for her record-setting 65-point outburst in a recent TJCCAA/ NJCAA Region VII tournament win against Cleveland State—a performance that convinced even her critics that she is capable of competing with the world’s elite. “She held on to her dream,” Martre says. “And she didn’t give up. She was able to gain that confidence back, if any was lost. But we stuck by her through it all. She definitely took advantage of the opportunities given to her.” At this point, it doesn’t matter if the journey wasn’t as glamorous as many expected. Shields has earned the chance to be showcased on a WNBA stage, an accomplishment her two-year-old son, Christopher, will be proud of someday. “He really made me slow down a lot,” says Shields. “I had to put it in my mind that I wanted to do this for him. I didn’t know it would get to this [point]. I think it was up to me to get on the right track. I think God had my future planned out all along.” M

www.memphissport.net | 33

BU I L D I N G B OY S , M A K I N G M E N F O R O V E R 5 0 Y E A R S .

In an era when boys are underperforming and disengaging from schools around the country, the boys of PDS are excited about learning, developing critical and creative thinking skills, and gaining a vision of what it means to be a man. 0RESBYTERIAN $AY 3CHOOL Â&#x201E; 0OPLAR !VENUE -EMPHIS 4. Â&#x201E; Â&#x201E; WWW PDSMEMPHIS ORG 0$3 IS AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR BOYS IN GRADES 0RE+ TO &INANCIAL AID AVAILABLE 0$3 MAINTAINS A NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY WITH REGARD TO RACE COLOR AND NATIONAL OR ETHNIC ORIGIN

34 | Memphis Sport

SPORTS BIZ

by TIM DUNCAN

Sports in the Business World

he idea that sports can be a great teacher for life in the business world has been discussed time and time again. I started thinking about this relationship after many conversations with people who I have worked with over the past 10 years. We all played different team sports, from football to softball to basketball to track and field to cheerleading to competitive dance. During our conversations, we noticed there were several traits that athletes have in common. One in particular is the ability to work successfully in a small group to accomplish a common goal—an attribute which is consistently called for in Corporate America. While working at a major consumer package goods company, I was often surprised to see how difficult it was for some people to accept their roles within groups. After studying several of these work teams, I realized that many of the most successful ones contained former athletes who were able to understand and accept their role or designate roles within the team dynamic. As a collegiate basketball player, there are several other lessons I have learned which have helped me in Corporate America and as an entrepreneur.

Practice: My college coach used to tell me, “Perfect practice makes perfect,” and he consequently drilled flawless execution into our heads. In my corporate life, I was a manager of an event marketing program that put on large events around the country. We practiced our execution over and over to ensure that when the event occurred, there would be no surprises.

Adapt to Leadership: Every team has a designated captain who provides leadership, emotional support, and inspiration to his or her teammates, but game situations often force a different person into a leadership position. The designated captain may be out of the game, so in order for the team to be successful, someone has to be the rudder for the ship. In business, job security is definitely an oxymoron. Your boss today could be your subordinate tomorrow. Being able to be a leader regardless of your position is a key trait to take away from the world of sports.

Abandon the Game Plan:

In sports, teams and coaches may devote hours of preparation to devising a specific game plan for their opponents based on scouting reports. However, the opposing coach may do the same thing and, often times, the hours of practice and prep prove to be futile. A good coach earns his money by making adjustments. Coaches like Dean Smith, Mike Krzyzewski, and Jim Calhoun are great examples of coaches who make in-game adjustments. As an entrepreneur, there are times to stay the course and there are times to abandon the game plan and try a new plan.

Get Up for the Next Game: After a big win or a loss, coaches caution their teams about being prepared for the next game. When we played in the NCAA Tournament, we were a higher seed than our opponent, and yet all of the experts predicted we would lose. We

won the game, and naturally, we were very excited and wanted to savor the moment. By the time we dressed and loaded the bus, Coach Finch brought us back to reality and told us we needed to concentrate on the next game that we would play in two days. He used the same tactic after losses.

As entrepreneur, there have been many presentations that were equivalent to big games. For one particular presentation to a large and well-respected organization, we had gathered our facts, supported our assumptions with data, and practiced our delivery until it was perfect. The organization loved our ideas and thought that we were right on strategy with their overall business objectives. We started counting the millions of dollars that would come from the account, picturing the business magazine covers that would feature us and dreaming of how many other clients we could now get. But we didn’t land the client. After that huge disappointment, we still had to get ready for many other presentations. M

Tim Duncan is a former basketball player for Memphis State University and is now the owner of PRstore, a marketing retail franchise, InfraRed Marketing, a full-service event marketing company, and InfraRed Travel, an online travel agency. He is also the proud parent of four children, all of whom have or will participate in youth sports.

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PRO TIPS

Hide the Ball by JOHN DENNY

Harding A C A D E M Y C H R I S T- C E N T E R E D

Harding Academy provides your children a solid education, a safe Christian environment, and a lot of fun as they shoot for their goals in life.

y three years with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1983-85 was a time of great success, hard work, and a higher level of professional experience. I had a strength and flexibility coach, Gus Hoefling, who was a great motivator to me. Gus was a kung fu instructor among other things. One day while I was doing some kung fu sets, he noticed that I was moving unusually fast through some of my motions. He cautioned me and said, “One who is moving too fast is trying to hide something.” In other words, I was showing a certain flaw or weakness in my movements and disguising it by trying to move extra fast. In pitching, hiding the ball from the batter and the opposition is not a flaw or weakness, but a defensive posture that proves to be quite an asset. Many pitchers tip their pitches even before they throw the ball. There are two basic remedies for hiding the ball without moving too fast through your pitching motion. The first is to use the proper size glove. Today, many pitchers go with style and looks, rather than practicality. A small glove will hinder your ability to hide the ball. Infield gloves usually range from 11 inches to 11 3/4 inches, while outfielder and pitcher’s gloves are about an inch bigger. The extra inch makes a big difference. A larger glove helps a pitcher field his position better when come-backers are hit back through the box. A second remedy is how you place your wrist, hand, and ball in your glove. There are many pitching styles, but these different styles should have little effect when it comes to hiding the ball properly. When the ball meets the glove in your wind-up, it should be placed high in the pocket of the glove. Placing the ball there allows your whole hand and even part of your wrist to be engulfed by the glove, thus hiding the ball from the hitter, base coaches, and the opposing dugout. Remember, you must always place your hand and ball in the glove using the same position. Changing hand and ball position, or any extra movement, can tip your pitches. Remember, you don’t have to move too fast in order to hide the ball. M

These are some tips from the JAD Baseball Experience with coach and CY Young winner John Denny.

Call 767-4494 today! www.hardinglions.org Harding Academy is dedicated to serving all qualified students regardless of race, creed, national or ethnic origin.

36 | Memphis Sport

www.memphissport.net | 37

GET FIT

Work out with an MLS Pro!

MICHAEL KRAUS of the Kansas City Wizards by ED LAND JR. • photo courtesy CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY

ll Memphis sports fans have heard of natives like Isaac Bruce, DeAngelo Williams, John Daly, and “Penny” Hardaway. But who among us knows Michael Kraus? We all should—this Memphian is a former three-time Tennessee State Champion in soccer, having won as many titles at Christian Brothers High School. His success continued after high school, when he earned a full scholarship to Creighton University and proceeded to reach the post-season as a starter for four consecutive years (two Elite 8’s, one Sweet 16, and one First Round) in the NCAA’s. Kraus’ resume includes multiple All-State, All-Conference, Player of the Week, Player of the Year, and other impressive awards earned either during high school or college.

Today, Kraus is a professional MLS soccer player, having been drafted by the Kansas City Wizards in January. His personal goal is to become a major contributor to the Wizards’ success, and he hopes to eventually be called up to the United States National Team. As only the fifth male from Memphis to have been drafted into “the big leagues” in soccer, Kraus is definitely cause for Memphians to catch a few Wizards games. In the meantime, Kraus wants to put his exercise knowledge, skills, and experience to use for you. Here’s how he breaks down his fitness routine:

Endurance “To build endurance and cardiovascular heath, you’ve got to be active every day,” Kraus says. He recommends 45 minutes of biking, running, swimming, or using the elliptical machine to fulfill your daily

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cardiovascular requirements. As he put it, “There are certainly going to be times that your body needs rest and healing, but one day off can really have a negative impact on your wind and your strength. Even if you only go on a 15-minute bike ride, doing something light on your day off yields tremendous results.”

Interval Training “The fittest players have the least recovery time,” Kraus says. He trains by doing combinations of sprints, runs, and walks. Variations include 20-second sprints followed by 20-second slower runs (for 20 to 30 minutes) and four minutes of fast running followed by one minute of jogging (for 20 to 30 minutes). For Kraus, most of this work is done on a treadmill, where programming speeds and inclines is as easy as pushing a button. Training sessions like these will improve power, quickness, and cardiovascular health.

Weights As Kraus puts it, “Weight training doesn’t require maxing out on all kinds of exercises.” He recommends utilizing manageable weights, whether with free-weights or cable machines. For simply staying fit, don’t necessarily focus on building tremendous “gym strength.” As he states, “Staying healthy only requires using your own body weight. All of this modern day weight training can be beneficial, but just isn’t of prime importance.”

Flexibility So many people forego what Kraus contends is perhaps the most important element of staying healthy. “Stretching both before and after workouts is absolutely essential in preventing injury and maximizing performance,” he says. “Even on days off, stretching is important—if not critical—to prevent muscle tightening.”

PERSONAL TRAINING Find The Time by MANDY POLK

Core Core strength is of significant importance, given that we all use our abdomen, hips, and other balance-related muscles in our everyday lives. As Kraus states, “Participating in yoga and related activities will significantly improve health and fitness for all people, not just athletes. Much more is involved than just meditation.” Kraus also recommends the use of plyometrics, the core ball, and medicine balls for those who hope to achieve optimum balance and core body strength.

Nutrition Although Kraus doesn’t necessarily have to count calories, he knows that’s no excuse for a bad diet. “All of the veterans on the Wizards make sure to watch not only what they eat, but how much of it as well,” he says. From what he’s learned, the keys are to stay hydrated (water, Gatorade), eat enough protein (steak, grilled chicken, protein powders) to sustain energy and build muscles, intake the right kinds of carbohydrates (wheat pastas), and avoid trans fats. M If you want any further information on Michael Kraus or the Kansas City Wizards, just visit www.mlsnet.com

In the previous issue, we talked about defining your vision of your fitness pursuits. Now that you have a clear picture of your goals, you must learn to devote the time that’s necessary to bring them to fruition. Up until now, you probably have been too unmotivated to really follow through with your fitness goals—it’s time to change that. continued on page 41

KID’S FITNESS Krav Maga Cross Training by KIM BULLARD The only self-defense system designed exclusively for kids is now available in Memphis. Krav Maga Cross-Training (KM-X) is a program designed for youth ages 7-11 to give children applicable methods for defending themselves. Unlike more traditional martial arts, in which katas are routinely practiced, self-defense tactics are the number one priority in KM-X. continued on page 40

TRANSFORMATIONS Fit For All Ages: Abby Ellinburg by KRISTEN COOK At 12 years old, Abby Ellinburg was told by her doctor that she was 20 pounds overweight and that she was in danger of getting Type II diabetes if she didn’t start exercising or eating healthier. She began a workout regimen at DAC in Southaven and a diet with the help of Weight Watchers. She has since lost more than the 20 pounds recommended by continued on page 41

Before

After

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SPORT MEMPHIS SPORT BLOGS Check out the blog section on our website, www.memphissport.net, for all the latest ranting and ravings from your favorite writers. Plus, find links to other blogs about Memphis area sports. Log on to www.memphissport.net for more info.

KID’S FITNESS continued from page 39

Due to the physical nature of the system, children tend to get a better workout than with traditional martial arts. “A student gets all the expected benefits of martial arts training like self confidence, coordination, and discipline,” says Patrick Terry, lead instructor and owner of Mid-South Krav Maga. “Kids have fun and get a harder workout than traditional workouts.” The curriculum consists of three month-long cycles, with a test to follow the end of each cycle. The test and ability levels are designed to help children set and reach specific goals. Each level is represented by a colored t-shirt and wristband. For those parents concerned that participating in KM-X will promote fighting, there is no need to worry. KM-X is designed as a self-defense system—not a fighting system. Children enrolled in KMX are taught how to verbalize boundaries with others and use common-sense tactics to resolve conflicts prior to engaging in self-defense. KM-X students understand that fighting is not allowed under any circumstances, and students who fight in school or elsewhere will not be permitted to participate in the program. Instructors teach that avoiding confrontation is always the desired outcome. KM-X is designed to promote self-esteem, which is often the underlying cause of fighting and aggression towards others. M Advantages of KM-X: • No costly tournaments or competitions • Affordable classes • Builds self-confidence • Promotes fitness • Teaches life skills • Does not focus on competition • Good for boys and girls alike • Instructor to student ratio of 1:4

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PERSONAL TRAINING continued from page 39

First, find an activity or training method you enjoy that is relevant to your goal or purpose. If your goal is to complete a halfmarathon, for example, don’t decide that now is the time to pick up racquetball. If you think your methods might not be on target, defer to a trainer. Once you have your training objectives set, make appointments for yourself. If you’re like most people, if it doesn’t go in your planner, it doesn’t get done. Schedule training around your life and not the other way around, but make sure that once you choose the most convenient time to work out, you stick with it. Establishing accountability will help you do that. Find a training partner, hire a trainer, enter a transformation contest or a race, or start an online journal or blog. This adds to your support system, and it gives you

something to look forward to along the way. Finally, accept that life will try to get in the way. Other things come up, and even if they don’t, you can usually find something more appealing to do until you start to enjoy your exercise routine. The hardest part is getting started, but with each workout you complete, you’ll enjoy an increasing sense of accomplishment and enthusiasm that will even help motivate you in other areas of your life. M Mandy Polk is a professional fitness competitor and personal trainer.

TRANSFORMATIONS continued from page 39

her doctor. Abby answers questions about her transformation and her future. What do you think exercise is? Energy and sweating a whole lot. What are some of the things that you think are nutritious? Fruits, vegetables, apples, grapes, strawberries, cantaloupes, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Why do you exercise? It helps me stay in shape and gives me an energy booster every day. I like to workout at least three times a week. What are you currently doing? Cardio, weight training, trazer, playing at recess. What are your exercise and nutrition goals? To be able to run a 5K and to continue Weight Watchers to stay in my points. What is your favorite part about working out? Sprints on the treadmill: a challenge to get faster. What activities do you do daily to be healthy? Run and have energy at recess. Do you share the information that you learn at DAC with your family and friends? I teach them about exercises that may help them. I just want kids to know to never give up. I wanted to give up, but now it is becoming a habit. If you give up, then you will give up on everything in life. All your hard work will pay off. M

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photos by SEAN DAVIS

Civil Rights Game St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cleveland Indians

March 31, 2007 1. Candace Cloer and Heather Markway

5. Jeff Jarrett and Megan Mueller

9. Taylor and Beth Wilson

2. Marrissa, Lionel, and Marguel Collins

6. Kristen Hollan and Paul Kilgore

10. Jeff and Diane Thompson

3. Samantha and Jadyon Pratt & Mike and Danielle Redlick

7. Chris and Jack Turek

11. Terri Edwards and Elizabeth Dewey

8. Allison Collier, Josh Warne, Blake Warne, and Craig Collier

12. Ricky and Alana Morris

4. John and Jaylon Baptist & John Jackson

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JACK’S BACK

Exorcising Demons by JACK EATON

The 2006-07 University of Memphis basketball season will go down in the history as one of the best ever. First was the 25-game winning streak, the longest in school history. Then came the perfect record in conference play and the trip to the Elite 8. All are well known to Tiger fans. But the highlight for me happened back in November when the U of M beat Kentucky. The Tigers didn’t just beat the wildcats— they drubbed them, and I loved every minute of it. Why? Well, we have to go back a few years. In the early 1960s, the Tiger football team won 33 games, lost 5 and tied 1. This is the best record of any Tiger football team before or since. So naturally, Coach Spook Murphy and A.D. Sonny Humphreys were looking for bigger fish to fry. This was

What he said may have had a modicum of truth, but for this clown to stand up in Memphis and spew out such garbage really bugged me. And from that moment on, I had a negative feeling about Kentucky basketball. I didn’t hate them, but whenever a Kentucky game came on TV, I always rooted for their opponent. No big deal, but that feeling was always there. So when the Tigers lined up to play in Maui last November, I was all eyes. At long last, it was the Tigers and Wildcats, mano y mano, cheek to jowl, eyeball to eyeball, and nose to nose. As the game progressed and the Tigers built their lead, I couldn’t help but think of that nameless guy from UK who had irritated me 44 years ago. When the game was over, I leaned back and took a deep breath. The demon had been exorcised.

...the Wildcats will

NEVER – REPEAT – NEVER N R consent to play in Memphis.

when MSU began their quest to play the Tennessee Vols. That finally culminated with a series that began in 1968 (more about that later). It was near the end of the 1963 season that a representative of the University of Kentucky came to town to speak to one of the football clubs. He was asked about Kentucky playing the Tigers in football game. Now I must say what follows is not an exact quote, but he said roughly, “We played Memphis three or four times in the last several years and the games were lopsided. I think the last game was 53-7. So we at Kentucky hope that you will upgrade your program.” Someone said that we had won 33 games over the past four seasons, but he was not impressed and went on to the next question. “How about basketball?” someone asked. He was adamant. He said that Kentucky basketball has a special place not only in basketball, but also in nationwide sports. He said he would be able to schedule a game between the two schools in Lexington, but the Wildcats would never—repeat—never consent to play in Memphis. He said we didn’t have the tradition, history, reputation, or fan support necessary for a Kentucky visit. He said we had to earn the right to play Kentucky here.

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Then I got to thinking…I used to despise Louisville. Calling a game in Freedom Hall was especially painful, but a lot of time has passed since then. Denny Crum retired, Milt Wagner played out his eligibility, and John Fong (the Freedom Hall announcer) passed away. In other words, the Cardinals weren’t what they used to be, and when their games come on TV now, I don’t care who wins. Another demon bites the dust. Many University of Memphis fans will tell you that their favorite teams are the Tigers and any team playing Tennessee. I used to be like that, but of all people, Peyton Manning helped to change my mind. When Archie’s kid didn’t win the Heisman Trophy, I was really upset. Here was a guy who personified what a college player should be: smart, talented, personable, and upbeat. So when he was passed over, I became less inclined to cheer against the Vols. And since then, I have become a follower. Time heals all wounds, and Great Scott, there goes one more demon. So yes, it was a great season for the Tigers and for me. Maybe next year, the exorcisms will continue.