2023-24 Memphis Athletics Fund Membership Guide

MEMBERSHIP GUIDE

Laird Veatch LETTER

On behalf of our student-athletes, coaches and staff, thank you for your generosity to Memphis Athletics! With your support, the Tigers have continued to grow as a national program and are able to support over 400 student-athletes every year through various investments. Your loyalty reinforces the excellence of our programs, which includes graduating student-athletes and delivering championship-level experiences.

As a member of the Memphis Athletics Fund, formerly known as the Tiger Scholarship Fund, you contribute to the lasting impact of the Memphis Tigers. Through scholarships, academic enhancements, support services, facility funds and other investments, you provide a direct impact on the athletic department and our entire community. In the classroom, our studentathletes are achieving greatness, as we recently posted an all-time high and AAC-best Graduation Success Rate of 94% and saw 267 student-athletes earn AAC All-Academic Team honors in 2021-22. During competition this past year, football made its eighth-straight bowl game, our men’s basketball team returned to the NCAA Tournament and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s tennis and track and field also appeared in NCAA postseason play. On top of these athletic and academic achievements, we are equally proud of our Tigers’ commitment to giving back to the community, with over 1,490 hours of community service during the 202122 athletic year.

We are also incredibly excited about our #MemphisRising strategic vision and facilities master plan, which will benefit every student-athlete and program on our campus. Additional details can be found later in this book, and for more information, please visit GoTigersGo.com/ MemphisRising.

Intercollegiate athletics is going through unprecedented times. While many things change, we continue to adapt to our surroundings, and with your generosity, we can provide the best experience to ensure future successes. Your support and unwavering passion for the Tigers helps develop our student-athletes into exceptional people and allows them to reach their full potential during and after their time at Memphis.

We express our deepest gratitude and thank you for your support as we continue to reach new heights.

Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics

Memphis Athletics

VISION FOR THE 2020s:

To be a rising athletic department that supports and graduates our student-athletes while delivering championship level experiences resulting in national prominence.

WE ACCOMPLISH THIS BY FOLLOWING OUR VALUES OF:

• Model: We model our University mission & values with integrity.

• Empower: We empower our student-athletes, coaches & staff to reach their full potential.

• Maximize: We maximize our resources & invest wisely in our future.

• Pride: We take pride in promoting our University & representing the 901.

• Hard-work: We are hard-working, blue-collar, gritty competitors.

• Innovate: We are innovative & embrace challenges as opportunities.

Memphis Athletics Fund

THE FUTURE OF GIVING TO MEMPHIS

As Memphis Athletics moves into the ‘new age’ of college athletics, the need for alignment and clarity is more important than ever before. When we began auditing our current athletics giving structure, we came to realize that the Tiger Scholarship Fund staff and the supporting structure performs much more than fundraising for just student-athlete scholarships.

Our department is tasked with aligning our department’s vision with stakeholders, like yourself, to advance Memphis Athletics. To reflect this mission, we renamed the Tiger Scholarship Fund to the Memphis Athletics Fund. We are more than just life-changing scholarships, we are changing lives and setting the future of Memphis Athletics. As we transition to the Memphis Athletics Fund, you can expect modifications to old Tiger Scholarship Fund giving levels and perks associated with those levels.

As structured previously, the Tiger Leadership Circle will remain a philanthropic leadership giving society focused on embracing the ‘culture of giving’ in the Memphis community. There, stakeholders that choose to give beyond tickets and parking will experience a heightened level of stewardship and VIP opportunities.

As with most changes, we expect to experience some questions and concerns from our most valued supporters. If you have specific items you would like to discuss, I urge you to reach out to us by phone at 901.678.2334 or by email at MAF@memphis.edu. We hope you join us in saying ‘YES’ to pushing Memphis to the next level as we transition to Memphis Athletics Fund!

Go Tigers Go!

MESSAGE FROM OUR StudentAthletes

Bryce Edmonsdson – “We as studentathletes would love to thank our wonderful fans and donors for the continuous love and support that does not go unnoticed. Without you guys, we would not be where we are today as a University. We hope to return the favor in the community as well as on the field.”

MEMPHIS Athletics Successes

1. Men’s basketball returned to the NCAA Tournament 2. Football reached its eighth-straight bowl game, which is the longest active streak in the American Athletic Conference and in the State of Tennessee

Women’s soccer and women’s tennis both captured AAC titles

Women’s basketball quadrupled its win total in head coach Katrina Merriweather’s first season and saw a 68% increase in home attendance from the last pre-pandemic year

We also had NCAA postseason appearances on the soccer field, tennis courts and at track and field 6. We announced new leadership for our baseball, softball and women’s golf programs with the hirings of Kerrick Jackson, Stephanie VanBrakle Prothro and Jennifer Jordan 7. Outside of competition, our student-athletes have recorded a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in 18-straight terms, and we have posted an all-time high Graduation Success Rate for seven-straight years (which is also highest in the AAC)

TIGER LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

The Tiger Leadership Circle (TLC) is Memphis Athletics’ premier student-athlete support program. The TLC combines giving of Ambassadors, direct contributions to sport programs and capital projects to create a true, total impact metric of lead donors for our athletics programs.

Funds that count toward TLC stewardship levels are charitable in nature. The TLC is strategically designed to reward those that embrace the culture of giving in our community and who invest above-and-beyond their seat-related giving. As we climb to the next level of intercollegiate competition together, the most differentiating resource for Memphis Athletics will be leadership annual giving.

GIVING IMPACT OPTIONS

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Initiative

Impact

Allocate

5. Team Restricted Accounts

Funds are used at the discretion of the head coach. Up to $15,000 can be counted towards your TLC Membership Level

WAYS TO INVEST IN memphis athletics

HOW TO GIVE?

1. Cash, Credit Card, Check or e-check/ACH

We accept payments for Memphis Athletics Fund contributions via personal cash, credit cards, checks or e-checks.

2. IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions

The IRA charitable rollover is a great way to make charitable gifts to the UofM for supporters 70.5 years and older! There are a few provisions to note below:

The gift must come directly from the IRA administrator to the UofM Foundation. (If you bring the check yourself, it will be counted as income and taxed).

The IRA rollover gift can be used to satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution (RMD).

3. Appreciated Securities/Stocks

Donors may sell stocks and securities to donate to a charitable cause.

You may use stock sales for gifts of any kind.

Using stocks and securities for this purpose helps to limit the amount of capital gains tax and receive credit for donations.

4. Donor Advised Fund

The Donor Advised Fund is a charitable giving program that allows you to combine your tax benefits with your support of Memphis Athletics Fund.

Donor Advised Fund gifts CANNOT be used to make your per seat donations.

Donor Advised Fund gifts CAN be used to make an ‘above and beyond’ philanthropic contribution to the Memphis Athletics Fund, the Tiger Leadership Circle or Sport Specific gifts.

5. Matching Gift

Your employer may have a matching gift program that helps amplify your Memphis Athletics Fund giving. Please note: due to the tax legislation in 2017, many employers do not match contributions tied to priority seating.

For assistance in participating in a matching gift program, ask your human resources representative for more information about your company’s program or contact our office at maf@memphis.edu for questions or information you may need.

6. Planned Gift

Planned giving is an excellent way to support Memphis Athletics. You can leave a bequest in your will, living trust or with a codicil. Your planned gift ensures that your legacy lives on with Memphis Athletics.

You can leave a specific bequest amount, a real asset, a percentage bequest, residual bequest or a contingent bequest to Memphis Athletics.

For more information on the different ways to support the Memphis Athletics Fund, please contact our office at 901.678.2334 or by email at maf@memphis.edu.

WAYS TO GIVE

By making a gift to MAF, you are having a direct impact in the lives of every University of Memphis student-athlete. You can support these student-athletes in their quest for excellence through the following ways:

ONLINE

Scan the QR Code to give on your mobile device

MAIL

You can renew your MAF donations by mail. Please send all gifts to Memphis Athletics Fund, 570 Normal Street Memphis TN, 38152. If paying by check, please make it payable to University of Memphis Foundation, memo: Memphis Athletics Fund

IN PERSON

Visit Memphis Athletics Fund offices (2nd floor of the Anfernee ”Penny” Hardaway Athletics Hall of Fame) where a staff member can answer any questions you may have or help renew your MAF donation

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The 901Women initiative has been established to honor 50 years of competitive and academic excellence within our women’s sports programs since the passage of Title IX in 1972. In addition, this initiative intends to inspire and generate philanthropic support for the enhancement of athletic, academic and personal experiences for current and future female student-athletes at the University of Memphis.

The Department of Athletics remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering current female student-athletes and coaches who proudly represent this great institution. 901Women will allow for that commitment to expand locally, regionally and nationally by encouraging alumni, friends and fans to further support this mission as we help establish the next generation of trailblazers.

ways to give:

Your generous donation to the 901Women initiative will directly support our women’s sports programs in their quest for excellence. Join today to support her future.

Visit to learn more and donate directly to 901Women or email 901women@memphis.edu.

WHAT IS NIL?

As of July 2021, all NCAA student-athletes may earn compensation (e.g. cash, check, mobile payment, product, etc.) for use of their own Name, Image & Likeness (NIL).

• Boosters, fans and brands are permitted to conduct NIL deals with current student-athletes — not to be used as a recruiting inducement

• There must be a “quid pro quo” for all NIL deals, meaning work must be performed to earn compensation

• University personnel can communicate with you regarding NIL opportunities for current student-athletes

• Purchasing tickets and/or contributing to groups designed to support Memphis Athletics classifies you as a booster

• As a booster, you may not conduct NIL deals with prospective student-athletes (PSA) as a recruiting inducement

• Boosters or collectives may not use NIL to incentivize studentathletes to stay in, join or perform in a program (eg, “pay for play”)

• NCAA booster rules still apply, including:

- Booster/NIL entity may not communicate (e.g., call, text, direct message [DM]) with a PSA, a PSA’s family or others affiliated with the PSA for a recruiting purpose

- Boosters may not engage in recruiting activities, including recruiting conversations, on behalf of a school

The University of Memphis is committed to helping our student-athletes get the “maximum” out of their NIL as Tigers.

If you want to support a studentathlete directly and manage the entire transaction yourself, reach out to the student-athlete via DM, phone, etc. to conduct a deal. Scan the QR code to access our student-athlete directory

If you want to support a studentathlete directly and work with our NIL technology partner, Opendorse, to manage the deal, visit GoTigersGo.com/Marketplace

If you want to support Memphis student-athletes and charitable organizations with ties to the Memphis region without having to actively be involved, contribute to the 901 Fund at 901fund.org

• Have a student-athlete appear at an event or party

• Send a friend a personalized video from their favorite Tiger

• Support a student-athlete’s entrepreneurial efforts

• Compensate a student-athlete for promoting your business online

• Have a student-athlete do a meet-and-greet at your business EMAIL QUESTIONS TO:

NIL@memphis.edu or contact Bridget Perine at 901.678.3306

NIL DO’S

NIL

MAKE A SPORT SPECIFIC GIFT!

Sport specific giving is a great way to directly impact a program of your choice. 100% of your gift will go towards the program, or programs, you are most passionate about. Your gift will directly enhance the lives of the team’s student-athletes by funding certain team needs and ultimately allowing our student-athletes to achieve their academic and athletic pursuits.

With over 400 student-athletes at Memphis competing in one of our 19 Division I varsity programs, both coaches and student-athletes rely on sport specific gifts to take their program to the next level.

Help us rise through sport specific giving and elevate Memphis Athletics’ teams.

Scan to make an impact today!

Interested in making a significant impact on your favorite Memphis team?

FOOTBALL GROUP TICKETS

A great idea for birthday parties, business outings, club activities or just for fun! Group rates start at only 15+ people. For more information, contact Caleb Weith at 901.678.1748 or cmweith@ memphis.edu

MEMPHIS YOUNG ALUMNI SEASON TICKET INFORMATION

Memphis Athletics extends discounted season ticket rates to all recent graduates who have completed their undergraduate degrees at the University of Memphis. These discounted season tickets last for five seasons after the graduate has completed their undergraduate degree and are limited to two season tickets per sport. Discounts may be applied by purchasing tickets over the phone through the ticket office at 901.678.2331.

CHAIRBACK 104 $400 $450 $850

CHAIRBACK 103, 105 $400 $300 $700

CHAIRBACK 102, 106, 120 $400 $200 $600

CHAIRBACK 119, 121 $400 $125 $525

CHAIRBACK 101, 107, 108, 901, 117, 118, 122, 123, 131, 132 $400 $50 $450

LOWER SIDELINE 119-121 $325 $50 $375

LOWER SIDELINE 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 $325 $50 $375

CORNER SIDELINE 101, 107, 109, 132 $149 $50 $199

CORNER SIDELINE 117, 118, 122, 123 $149 $50 $199

UPPER SIDELINE 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 $149 $50 $199

CORNER BENCH 101, 107, 108, 132 $149 - $149

CORNER BENCH 117, 118, 122, 123 $149 - $149

CORNER BENCH 901, 110, 116, 131, 132 $149 - $149

ENDZONE 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 129, 130 $149 - $149

FAMILY ZONE 119, 120, 121 $99* - $99*

PREMIUM SEATING FOOTBALL

PREMIUM SEATING

Premium seating is a great way to support Memphis Athletics, while sitting in the best seats inside Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. For more information regarding premium seating opportunities, contact Taylor Sanderson at taylor.sanderson@memphis.edu or 901.678.2334.

OUTDOOR CLUB

The Outdoor Club is an all-inclusive outdoor space that provides the best views of the game and is available for purchase on a season basis.

• All-inclusive outdoor space that provides the best views of the game as well as access to premium game day food options and full-service bar.

• Located just outside the Indoor Club at the top of sections 103, 104 and 105.

• Tables are sold in 2s and 4s; Larger group accommodations are also available.

TIGER TERRACE PRESENTED BY GREEN MOUNTAIN TECHNOLOGY

Tiger Terrace, presented by Green Mountain Technology, is an outdoor patio bar located in the upper seating areas of sections 112, 113 and 114 where you can hang out with friends or family without missing any of the action!

• Access passes are sold on a season basis for $175 each.

• A separate game ticket is required as an access pass does not allow entry to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

MESSAGE FROM OUR StudentAthletes

Grace Stordy – “It’s incredible to see all the time, effort and generosity people put into college athletics. Truthfully, none of us would be where we are today without any of you. So, thank you for making dreams come true and giving myself and so many others the opportunity to do what they love at such a high level.”

STUDENT-ATHLETE SUCCESS CENTER

TIGER PARK MASTER PLAN

FEDEXPARK AVRON FOGELMAN FIELD

LEFTWICH TENNIS CENTER

FUTURE OUR FOOTBALL

The University of Memphis and the City of Memphis have announced plans to pursue a $150-200 million renovation to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium to revitalize and modernize the home of Memphis Tiger Football.

PRIORITY ELEMENTS OF THE WIDE-RANGING PROJECT INCLUDE:

A transformation of the stadium’s west side, providing several innovative premium seating options

Creating a hospitality experience within the halo space surrounding the stadium

Other new seating options, such as family boxes on the north end and party deck patios for students on the south end

A potential repurpose and retrofit of the east side suite tower

The goal for completion of the project is prior to the 2025 football season

FUTURE STARTS NOW CAPITAL PROJECTS

Completed or Near Completion

M Club Olympic Sports Weight Room

In the summer of 2021, Memphis Athletics upgraded its Olympic Sport Weight Room in the Billy J. Murphy Complex, powered by the M Club. The project included new weight equipment, the installation of new, state-of-the-art flooring and updated graphic aesthetics to the facility to an anchor of development and recruiting for Memphis’ Olympic sport programs.

Elma Roane Fieldhouse

During the 2020-21 season, the facility went through an extensive $3.5 million facelift that updated the gym’s appearance and included adding amenities for players and fans.

Leftwich Tennis Center

Currently under construction, the new Leftwich Tennis Center will be one of the nation’s premier tennis facilities. With 12 indoor courts and 24 outdoor courts, it will be home to our Memphis tennis teams as well as home base for Tennis Memphis.

FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field

Renovations to FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field are bringing brand-new, state-of-the-art artificial turf, which is a valuable enhancement in player development and allows the Tigers to better compete on the field. Additional upgrades include a new videoboard, improved seating and lower foul and outfield walls which are directed for the fans to enjoy the gameday experience while attending a Memphis baseball game.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Can I pay my Memphis Athletics Fund contribution in installments?

A. Yes. Just call 901.678.2334 to set up your monthly payment. The payments can be made equally over time with your credit card on a month-by-month basis.

Q. How do I get FedExForum parking?

A. To be guaranteed FedExForum parking in the Toyota Garage, you must be a Super Tiger Donor ($5,000) or above. Parking is allocated on an annual basis and is based on giving level and priority points earned.

Q. What happens if I do not make my Memphis Athletics Fund contribution by April 1?

A. If you are unable to complete your donation by the April 1 deadline, you may lose your tickets and parking priority.

Q. How are postseason football and basketball tickets allocated?

A. Postseason football and basketball ticket allocations are based on donor level (i.e., Super Tiger or Platinum Tiger), and priority points earned within each donor level.

Q. Can I be a member of the Memphis Athletics Fund even if I do not have season tickets?

A. Yes. Being a part of the Memphis Athletics Fund is a great way to support the 400-plus studentathletes at the University of Memphis. You can become a MAF member for as little as $50.

Q. How can I improve my Memphis Athletics Fund membership?

A. You can improve your Memphis Athletics Fund membership level by donating to any of these areas of support: priority seating, facility projects, scholarship endowments and planned giving.

Q. Do Memphis Athletics Fund donors receive any benefits for financially supporting Memphis Athletics Fund?

A. Yes! The Memphis Athletics Fund membership year runs from July 1 through June 30, annually. Any gifts made to Athletics during that time qualify donors for Memphis Athletics Fund benefits based on their overall giving to Memphis Athletics.

Memphis Athletics Fund Staff

LAIRD VEATCH

Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics athleticdirector@memphis.edu

JEFF CRANE

Deputy Athletic Director Jeff.C@memphis.edu

LAUREN ASHMAN

Executive Associate Athletic Director/ Senior Women’s Administrator lauren.ashman@memphis.edu

DR. ADAM WALKER

Executive Associate Athletic Director, Administration awalker9@memphis.edu

Senior Associate Athletic Director External Engagement bdebord@memphis.edu

CHRISTINA WIATR

Assistant Athletic Director Annual Fund ctwiatr@memphis.edu

TAYLOR SANDERSON

Assistant Athletic Director Leadership Giving taylor.sanderson@memphis.edu

Director of Athletic Stewardship and Engagement eahagans@memphis.edu

Director Leadership Giving djlane1@memphis.edu

Director of Annual Fund and Letterwinner Relations bdmcwhrt@memphis.edu

Assistant Director wjfunk@memphis.edu

Coordinator of Athletic Gift Processing and Business Operations adaniel8@memphis.edu

AUBURN SAGE Graduate Assistant asage@memphis.edu

ASHLEY DANIEL

WESLEY FUNK

BLAIR DeBORD

EMILY HAGANS

BROCK MCWHORTER

DUVANTE LANE

Compliance

The University of Memphis Athletics Compliance Office serves coaches, prospective student-athletes, current