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MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

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101 Things we love about the Redbirds, Tony Allen Interview
40
APRIL/MAY 2011 MEMPHISPORT.NET 101 Things We Love About The Redbirds
Transcript
Page 1: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

APRIL/MAY 2011

M E M P H I S P O R T. N E T

101 Things We Love About The Redbirds

Page 2: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

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Page 3: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 1

V O L U M E 4 , N U M B E R 5

“If the Grizzlies are winning and the Tigers are not, then the fans could shift their allegiance.“–Marcus Hunter 6

Front Nine 4Nine questions and nine answers from Will Coleman.

Live Debate 6 Will the Grizzlies ever be as popular as Tiger Basketball in Memphis?

All-Stars 8 This soccer standout is a star on the rise.

Teamwork 9Futsol comes to the Memphis area.

Power Train 26Staying healthy on the go.

Varsity Spirit 28Meet Marci and the other cheer moms.

All In 30The future of slot technology.

Picture Puzzle 33Play. Play. Play.

Tailgating 34Riverkings and Globetrotters.

Jack’s Back 36The legendary broadcaster, Jack Eaton, is inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

10 18

28

Changed Man 10Former Tiger Shawne Williams is determined to

make the most of his second chance in the NBA.

101 Things We Love about the Redbirds 12Reasons galore to never miss a Redbirds game.

Tony’s Time 18Tony Allen talks basketball, life and craziness.

33

12

22 M AWARDS BALLOTThe fi fth annual M Awards are here. Start the voting.

Page 4: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

1138 N. Germantown Pkwy Ste. 101-176Cordova, TN 38016

memphisport.nettwitter.com/memphisport

PublisherMike Bullard 901.229.4749 [email protected]

Managing EditorKevin Cerrito [email protected]

Director of PhotographyChase Gustafson [email protected]

Contributing PhotographerJustin Ford

Contributing WritersZach BerryJack EatonDoug GillonBen HoganBrandi HunterMarcus HunterAndre JohnsonRudi SchifferBrennan Somers

Contributing IllustratorAndrew Chandler

Cover IllustrationAndrew Chandler

©Copyright 2011 Memphis Sport Magazine LLC, All Rights Reserved

Page 5: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

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Page 6: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

4 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 1

You graduate in May with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. What in the world is that?

It is a concentration in criminology and sociology.

What are your plans for after college?

I would like to play basketball. But if not, get involved with the FBI or DEA.

Are you looking at playing overseas?

Playing wherever.

Who would be your dream team to play with?

The Heat. Just because I used to live in Miami when I went to school there. The city is great.

What was the highlight of you college basketball career?

Winning the conference tournament.

Coach Pastner described you as an “elite role model.” What would you say makes someone a good role model?

Someone that is always gonna stand up for what is right. No matter what it is, just someone who is always willing to do the right thing.

Who was your role model?

My mom. My parents. That is who made me the person I am today.

What is your favorite charity?

Not really an organization. Just stuff I like to do, like going out to elementary schools and speaking to kids.

Do you have any parting words for the people of Memphis?

Thank you. I love Tiger Nation. I love the people. Thank you for accepting me with open arms. Thank you for having me. Thank you for letting me play for your city. I’ve had a blast here and I loved it.

Written by Mike Bullard

F R O N T N I N E Nine questions. Nine Answers.

Will Coleman

“I would like to play basketball. But if

not, get involved with the FBI or DEA.“

Recruited by Coach Cal, Will Coleman was one of the few players who stuck around the program for the rebuilding with Coach Pastner. After winning the C-USA championship and a career-ending game against Arizona, Will answers nine questions for MemphiSport.

Page 7: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

M E M P H I S P O R T. N E T 5

, the national governing body for cheerleading is excited to announce...

Page 8: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

6 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 1

Marcus: I think the Tigers did a good job this year of having a late run that will keep the fans on their side for a little longer. But Memphis is a city of fans that like winners. If the Grizzlies are winning and the Tigers are not, then the fans could shift their allegiance.

Kevin: It would take a great deal of winning by the Grizzlies and a great deal of losing by the Tigers to make that happen. And let’s face it, winning is easier for a Conference USA team than it is for a small-market NBA team. When the Grizzlies fi nally make their big return to the playoffs, they will have to face a team like the Lakers, the Spurs or the Mavericks in a fi rst round seven-game series.

Marcus: Most of the Tiger fans in the city are cheering for the team because they are winning. As you saw when the Grizzlies started losing, people stopped showing up at the games. When the Tigers weren’t doing well this year, attendance dropped.

Now that the Grizzlies are winning, people are starting to get behind the team. Fans are starting to get to know the players, wanting to know more about them, wanting to pay to see them.

Kevin: A number of people are Tiger basketball fans because they went to the University of Memphis. Every fall the U of M has thousands of new freshmen enroll and offi cially become part of Tiger Nation for life. The Grizzlies don’t have that luxury.

Marcus: I know, but not all of those students stay in Memphis and there are so many more people in the city of Memphis who did not go to the university. There are plenty of people who live in Memphis that have never even been on the U of M campus.

Marcus: This argument is mostly about the casual fans. The fans who wear Tigers gear one day but will put on a Grizz shirt if they make the playoffs. Those are the fans I am talking about. Those are the fans that move the city. Those are the fans that “bring the city together” when the Tigers are winning. They bring together Tiger Nation and the casual fan. If there ever were an extended period of time where the Tigers were losing and the Grizz were winning, then the Grizzlies would be the ones bringing the city together.

Kevin: It is more complicated than just winning. Memphis has an unexplainable relationship and connection with Tiger basketball. Just look at how the city treated two players with similar characteristics. Will Coleman was on the Tigers for two seasons, is a physically talented big man who is terrible at basketball but has a great attitude. Hasheem Thabeet was on the Grizzlies for two seasons, is a physically talented big man who is terrible at basketball but has a great attitude. People couldn’t be happier to see Thabeet traded away while Coleman got a loving farewell tribute in the local newspaper.

Marcus: That is a good point. But remember Willie Kemp? Fans didn’t think much of him and his game either. Sure they rallied around him when his mother was sick, but he wasn’t a player they loved regardless of how he sucked on the court. I mean look at Hamed Haddadi. He hardly ever plays and when

Written by Kevin Cerrito and Marcus Hunter, Photos by Chase Gustafson

L I V E D E B AT E Kevin and Marcus go head-to-head.

Will the Grizzlies ever be as Popular as Tiger Basketball in Memphis?

Marcus Hunter “If the Grizzlies

are winning and the Tigers are not, then the fans could shift

their allegiance.”

Page 9: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

M E M P H I S P O R T. N E T 7

he gets in the game the fans love him. When fans see him on the street they love him. It all depends on the player, not who they play for. Thabeet was the No. 2 overall pick. Fans didn’t like him because he was a sign that the organization once again failed at the draft.

Kevin: What would have to happen for Grizzlies fans to rally together and welcome their team home at the airport?

Marcus: The Grizzlies would have to go to Los Angeles and win a playoff series against the Lakers. That could happen someday. I think it is great for the city to have a winning college basketball team and NBA team. Memphis is like no other city on the planet when it comes to basketball and how much the people here support their hoops. I would love nothing more than for both the Grizzlies and Tigers to be at the top of their leagues. That way the city can really come together with Tigers and Grizzlies fever.

Kevin: I’m cool with that, as long as it doesn’t lead to a citywide outbreak of Bieber fever.

Kevin Cerrito and Marcus Hunter host the award-winning MemphiSport Live every Saturday at 11am on Sports56 WHBQ. Listen anytime at memphisport.net.

Kevin Cerrito “It is more complicated than just winning. Memphis has an unexplainable relationship and connection with Tiger basketball.”

Guy’s Formalwear Inc.

Six Memphis Area Locations

[email protected]

Page 10: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

8 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 1

Written by Ben Hogan

SBA Standout is a Soccer Sensation.

A L L- S TA R S The best of the preps.

Star on the Rise

Local talent is always something the city of Memphis and the surrounding areas takes much pride in. A name that most people around the Mid-South might not be familiar with, but could become a household name soon is St. Benedict senior and athlete Julie Eckel. Eckel plays three different sports for the SBA Eagles basketball, track, and soccer. She enjoys playing all three, but her favorite to play is soccer, and that’s the one she will be playing when she attends the University of Tennessee this upcoming fall. During her senior season on the pitch where she played both goal keeper and forward, she racked up impressive stats at both positions, scoring fourteen goals and recording eleven shutouts while playing keeper.

Eckel has picked up many awards and accolades during her career at SBA. Some of her career achievements include 4-year starter, 4-year scholar athlete, All-Region MVP, All-Metro, All-State, and Top 10 fi nalist for Wendy’s Heisman/Scholar Athlete Award. She also participated in the Olympic Development Progam (ODP) and attended the Dynasty Goalkeeping Camp, as well as selected as the only female on the Under-19 Region ODP team.

This past summer, Eckel was selected as one of three high school girls to the ODP Alumni team to play the South Korean National Team, who ended up winning the Youth World Cup. The ODP team ended up losing 2-1, but Eckel learned from this experience by commenting, “they played at a lot quicker pace then I was used to, and played at a higher level.” She also played with two current members of the UT soccer team before she committed to play there.

While Eckel accomplished a lot in high school, there is one thing that she was not able to accomplish that she wish she could have. That one thing is she wishes she would have been able to win a state championship. Eckel’s coach, Julie Knowles feels the same way. Knowles, who just fi nished up her third year as head coach after serving two as an assistant at SBA, said “I felt we deserved to play in the state tournament, with all of the progress that some of the players made.” The Eagles fi nished the season 8-3-5 and lost to Battle Ground Academy 4-3 in overtime in the 2-AA quarterfi nals.

Coach Knowles will miss the leadership and hard work that Eckel brought everyday, as Eckel was described as a player “that always gave 100 percent and always made an impact.” If anything best describes the way Eckel was on the fi eld, it would be the story Knowles shared. It was Eckel’s junior year and they were playing ECS and Eckel was in goal, a shot came her way and she made a diving save, got back up and a shot was made to the other side of the goal and she was able to dive and make another save. Eckel played goalie for the most of her fi rst two year, but the fi rst time she played in the fi eld as a mid-fi elder she led a furious comeback and scored two goals.

One more thing that Knowles will be missing from Eckel is her leadership because “she never tried to impress anyone with how good she was” and “always tried for perfection.” Teammates would look up to Eckel as a sort of role model, “some people look up to Mia Hamm as a role model, but new players that would come in would say, I want to be like Julie Eckel,” said Knowles.

Eckel just fi nished up with SBA on the hardwood as they lost in the semifi nals of the 2-AA state tournament and is now focused on track and fi eld before she graduates.

Eckel is defi nitely a busy and talented athlete, and if people don’t know her name now, they may soon know it very well.

“Some people look up to Mia Hamm as

a role model, but new players that

would come in would say, I want to be like Julie Eckel”

Page 11: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011
Page 12: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

1 0 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 1

Sporting a practice T-shirt and uniform shorts, Shawne Williams is sitting in front of his locker, less than an hour before a recent tipoff between the New York Knicks and the Memphis Grizzlies, telling several Knicks representatives about Memphis, the town in which he grew up.

He is telling them, among other things, about his days of playing pick-up basketball games in the crime and drug-infested neighborhood of South Memphis. He is speaking of how the National Civil Rights Museum has become a signifi cant landmark in the city where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was last seen alive. He is reminding them that Memphis is home to the renowned Graceland mansion and late rock ‘n’ roll icon Elvis Presley.

“I grew up like a few houses from (Graceland),” Williams said. “You can’t compare Memphis to New York. It’s a totally different world. It’s a large city. It’s a great stage to play on.”

For Williams, a former Hamilton High phenom who starred one season at the University of Memphis in 2005-06, the 25-year-old pro apparently isn’t suffering from stage fright, given he’s exhibiting his skills in the NBA’s largest market. Williams, to his credit, has proven to be an asset to the Knicks’ much-anticipated resurgence this season.

New York is now an Eastern Conference playoff team, in part because the 6-foot-9 Williams has emerged as one of head coach Mike D’Antoni’s key reserves since signing with the team back in September. Williams is currently eighth on the team in minutes played with 19.7 per contest through 47 games, and seventh in points per game with 6.9. He has started multiple games for the Knicks, his most productive outing coming in a January 12 loss at Utah when he scored a season-best 25 points in 34 minutes.

“I’m glad he’s here with us,” D’Antoni said of Williams. “We’re glad to have him.”

And Williams, as he puts it, deems himself “fortunate” that Knicks president of basketball operations Donnie Walsh believed in him enough to grant him a third chance to resurrect a career that was mired by a slew of off-the-court issues in recent years.

In September 2007, Williams, along with two other passengers in his car, were arrested in Indianapolis and on a charge of possession of marijuana. A stolen handgun that belonged to one of the passengers also was found in Williams’ vehicle. The other passenger was charged with possession of marijuana.

Then early last year, Williams encountered another run-in with the law when he was arrested in Memphis on felony charges for selling a codeine substance, a charge that was eventually reduced to a misdemeanor three months later after he pleaded guilty. Placed on six months probation, Williams was ordered to undergo mandatory drug testing, attend a drug offender school and contribute $10,000 to a local drug treatment facility.

Many, in fact, believed that Williams, who was drafted 17th overall by Indiana in 2006, had played his last game in the NBA after he was waived by the New Jersey Nets just four days following his arrest in Memphis. It was a situation about which he admittedly felt embarrassed, considering youngsters who looked up to him began questioning whether or not he would ever play professionally again.

“To be honest, I knew that I was going to get back (into the NBA),” said Williams, who also played one season in Dallas. “I felt like the light switch came on when my nieces and nephews got curious about me not playing. They were like, ‘Shawne, when are going to see you play

Written by Andre Johnson, Photo by Chase Gustafson

Former Tiger Shawne Williams is determined to make the most of his second chance in the NBA.

Changed Man

“I felt like the light switch came on when my nieces and nephews got

curious about me not playing. They were like,

‘Shawne, when are going to see you play again.’”

Page 13: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

M E M P H I S P O R T. N E T 1 1

again.’ I didn’t want to lie to them. What that did really was want me to set an example for them. I wanted to give them a chance to see me play.”

As Williams got his legal troubles under control, his chances of resurfacing in the NBA became a strong possibility.

Kentucky head coach John Calipari, who coached Williams at Memphis, called close friend and then-Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown, to arrange for Williams to attend a free-agent mini-camp with the team during the 2010 Orlando summer league. He didn’t disappoint, considering he was eventually offered training camp invitations from the Bobcats and Knicks a couple of months later.

The Knicks, consequently, wound up being Williams’ sentimental choice to continue his career since Madison Square Garden was the last place his older brother, Ramone, who was murdered, saw him play.

He said that while his off-the-court misfortunes were self-manufactured, his time away from the NBA prompted him to assess his poor judgment and decision-making. Williams, in fact, describes himself as a “changed man” nowadays, primarily because he was fortunate to have been given another chance fulfi ll his dream.

“I’m just happy to have this opportunity to showcase my talents in New York,” Williams said. “They gave me an opportunity to do what I wanted to do in life and that was to play (basketball). I knew I needed to change my ways. I feel I’m doing well now. (New York) is a large city, a great stage to play on.”

Not to mention, a platform where he is fully embracing the golden opportunity this time around.

“I’m just happy to have this opportunity to showcase my talents in New York.”

Page 14: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

1 2 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 1

Compiled by MemphiSport Illustrations by Andrew Chandler

101101Things We Love AboutThe RedbirdsThings We Love AboutThe Redbirds

1 BBQ Nachos

2 Opening day

3 Kids running the bases after Sunday games

4 Watching the next generation of Cardinals before they are Cardinals

5 Catching a home run ball on the bluff

6 Games are affordable family entertainment

7 Memoires of Albert Pujols’ game-winning walk-off homerun

in the 13th inning of Game 4 of the PCL Championship Series in 2000

8 The STRIPES (Sports Teams Returning to the Education

System) program, which helps to provide baseball opportunities for Memphis City School kids

9 Matinees

10 Having your kid’s ball team become “Little

Legends” on the fi eld before a game and during the national anthem

11 Local Ghost River Brewing available on draft

12 A picnic way out in right fi eld at the Picnic Pavilion

13 Firework games

14 Partying on the club level party deck

15 Live local bands performing in the plaza entrance

16 Rockey’s Kids Club

17 AutoZone Park’s view of downtown

Everyone in Memphis loves the Redbirds, but for anyone out there who still needs a reason to profess that love, MemphiSport offers up 101 of them. Enjoy.

BBQ

Ope

Kidaft

WaCa

Catbal

Gafam

Megam

in the 13

Everyanyonthat l

29Taking a

picture with

Rockey

Compiled by MemphiSport, Illustrations by Andrew Chandler

1 2 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 1

Page 15: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

M E M P H I S P O R T. N E T 1 3M E M P H I S P O R T. N E T 1 3

Page 16: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

Compiled by MemphiSport Illustrations by Andrew Chandler

18 The dancing and singing on Greek Heritage Night

19 Bad seats don’t exist at AutoZone Park

20 Singing along with “Take me out to the ball game”

during the 7th inning stretch

21 The Reviving baseball in the Inner Cities (RBI) program,

which is an instructional baseball and softball summer program

22 Up-to-date inside news from interns on the Chirp Chatter blog

23 Memories of Rick

Ankiel’s comeback as an outfi elder in 2007

24 Buying a little stuffed

Rockey to bring home

25 Catching practice baseballs during

the fl y ball warm ups

26 Hearing an organ played never sounded so good

27 The Big Dog, a half-pound jumbo grilled sausage covered

with chili, cheese, fried onion rings complete with and a knife and fork

28 Being 1 of the fi rst 5,000 fans on a free promotions night

29 Taking a picture with Rockey

30 Bird Vision videos on memphisredbirds.com

31 The cool A/C and relaxing furniture on the club level

32 A special Redbirds toolbar for your Internet browser

33 Standing up and clapping when there are two

outs in the top of the 9th

34 Picnicking on the bluff

35 The blue jerseys

36 No Orange Redhots thanks to the

Redhots new sponsor, Palm Beach Tans. will make sure

that they stay properly tanned all season long

37 A little basketball shooting at the

baseball game on the Boardwalk

38 Private watch parties from the balconies of the

overlooking apartment buildings

39 Bobbleheads

40 Funnel cakes

41 Winning the Birdbath water gun race at the Boardwalk

42 Kids running to fi rst base after a Tuesday game for

the Run a Single with Kraft Singles

43 Watching batting practice before the game

44 Getting a few autographs before the game

starts next to the dugouts

45 Catching a foul ball

46 Kids celebrating their birthday with Rockey

47 Buying a PCL Champs t-shirt

s

RB

thtan

1 4 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 1

Singing along with Tme out to the ball ga

ning stretch

ving baseball iies (RBI) progr

uctional basebamer program

-date inside neterns on the hatter blog

Memoriesof Rick

’s comeback aselder in 2007

Buying a little stuffed

o bring home

Catching practbaseballs durinwarm ups

aring an organ ver sounded so

Dog, a half-pjumbo grilled sausage

with chili, cheese, fried onion ricomplete with and a knife and f

Being 1 of the first 5

me outduring the 7th inn

The RevivInner Cit

which is an instruand softball summ

Up-to-from inChirp C

Ankiel’an outfi e

Rockey to

Cb

the fl y ball w

Heanev

The Bigjumbo g

C

78Memories of

the Stubby

Clapp backflip

Page 17: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

48 The team is the AAA affi liate of the Cards

and not the Expos, Royals, Padres or Mariners like the Chicks were

49 The 2000 PCL Championship

50 The 2009 PCL Championship

51 Faith & Family Night

52 The tallest video screen in the minor leagues

53 Peanuts and Cracker Jacks

54 The playground next to the bluff

55 The Red Hots

56 Rockey zipping around on his ATV

57 Buy 1 Get 1 Free tickets every Tuesday when you bring a

KRAFT Singles package wrapper

58 Stepping into the batting cage at the Boardwalk

59 This fun fact: Because of BBQ Nachos, AutoZone Park

is the only ballpark in the country where top selling item is not hot dogs

60 Trading our Redbirds trading cards

61 Ice cream served in a miniature baseball helmet

62 AutoZone Park is a staycation destination

63 Bringing our dogs to the game once a year

on Bark in the Ballpark day

64 Doing a Harry Caray impression

on Redbirds Fantasy Radio

65 Singing along to the players at-bat songs

66 Chance to see up-and-comers from

other teams around MLB

nd bluff

kets e

o

ce to see up-and-comers from

her teams around MLB

M E M P H I S P O R T. N E T 1 5

40Funnel Cakes

55The Red Hots

Page 18: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

67 The team’s continuous support of Habitat for Humanity

68 Games are a perfect backdrop for snapping

interesting Facebook photos

69 The red chair in right fi eld commemorating Albert

Pulhos’ PCL Championship home run

70 Season ticket holders can transfer, exchange,

or donate their tickets online

71 Catching a free t-shirt

72 The Rockey Hopper

73 AutoZone Park is a great place for a summer job

74 The 24-foot climbing wall on the Boardwalk.

75 Children under 3 get in free

76 After the game, you are just two

blocks from Beale Street

77 The team is proof that non-threatening mascots can win

78 Memories of the Stubby Clapp backfl ip

79 The Kiss Cam

80 The Dance Cam

81 The friendliest ushers in the Mid-South

82 Watching St. Louis Cardinal players rehab

83 Cheering on our favorite colors in the

Red, Blue, and Green car race

84 Making “it’s not delivery” jokes after your buddy

brings a DiGiorno back to the seats

85 The game every year after the NBA draft, when a new

Grizzlies player throws out the fi rst pitch

86 The Zooperstars

87 The Fourth of July game

88 The new picnic terrace seating

89 This fun fact: The team got a physic to predict

what game this season the team will absolutely win. She picked August 1st and now it is “Guarantee Win Night”

90 Listening Steve Selby call the games on Sports 56

91 Scout camp out night on the fi eld

92 The selection of cool stuff at the

Backstop Baseball Emporium

93 The buffet at Business Person Lunch

94 Watching people on Union and third from the

club and press level balconies

95 Doubleheader days

96 New concession items are added

every year like the Fritos chili pie and the ICEE Frozen Cokes

97 Happy Birthday shout outs on the video board

98 Rockey’s Rockin’ Readers program

99 Memories of the T-Rex throwing out the fi rst

pitch at a game in 2010

100 The classy “Pasttime” logo

101 They introduced us to Silly Bandz

uly game

34Picnicking

on the bluff

1 6 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 1

Page 19: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

visitt our wwwwebssite att tto download aa cammp brrooccchhhuuurree,, oorrr ssttoopp bbyyyyy oonnneeeoof oour campuses ttoo pickk uuupp aaa pprriinntteeddd bbbrroooccchhhuurree

Collierville campus1880 Wolf RiR ver Blvd.Coolllliei rville, TN 3880177

GeGeGG rmrmanantotownwn c camampupuss

Page 20: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

1 8 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 11 8 F E B R U A R Y/ M A R C H 2 0 1 1

Tony Allen talks basketball, life and craziness.

Written by Doug Gillon, Photo by Chase Gustafson

TONY’S TIME TONY’S TIME

Page 21: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

M E M P H I S P O R T. N E T 1 9

Tony Allen has been in Memphis for less than a year, but he has already played his way into the hearts of many Grizzlies fans. His statistics this season have closely mirrored those of his fi rst fi ve seasons with the Boston Celtics, but Allen’s contributions to the Grizzlies’ depth and play style have gone well beyond his line.

The fans, his teammates, his coach, and even opposing players know that when Allen comes into the game, the contest changes. Players move faster. Awareness goes up, and defense, the all-important defense, goes through the roof.

Memphisport sat down with Tony Allen to get his thoughts on his new city, his experiences in the league and to fi nally get an answer to the question on everyone’s mind, what makes him tick.

What’s better… New England Clam Chowder or Memphis Barbecue?

I gotta say the clam chowder put a bad smell on your breath, and the barbecue put a gain on your calories, but they both good to me. I like ‘em.

What’s your take on the playoff beards?

Around this time every year I just let my hair grow. But for the most part it was a constant team effort so everybody’s doing it.

What does that say about the team?

It shows that we’re pulling together. We in it. We in it for the long haul. So we all in it together and that’s what we’re going to continue to do.

Why did you choose number nine?

I chose it because I wanted something new. I was starting off fresh and going in a new direction, so number nine gave me something new.

Talking about that, this was the fi rst time you changed teams. How did the situation in Memphis strike you?

I just thought honestly that coming here I’d get a chance to be close to my coaches from Oklahoma State and I could work with the guy who drafted me, Chris Wallace.

I thought that was big and the blueprint that he showed me, and the things that he said to me in the recruiting I believed. I was sold on the pitch and I signed on the dotted line.

What kind of things did Chris Wallace tell you?

He just said that he liked the way I played in the playoffs, he liked the way I defended these prolifi c guys – those top-notch scorers and stuff like that. He said he liked the way the Celtics used me and he liked how I responded to all the challenges that came my way.

He said all that and then he told me ‘That’s kind of lacking on our team from the previous year.’ And he said I just need you to come and bring that same type of energy and toughness to this team. I said ‘I don’t mind.’

He didn’t promise me any minutes, he just told me to come here and do what I do. That’s what he told me and everything’s been fi ne and dandy so far. Well… maybe not starting off but everything’s coming around now.

You’re known as kind of a defensive specialist. Is that accurate? Was that the kind of thing Wallace was looking for?

It’s defi nitely key. Every team needs defense so I don’t mind marketing myself that way. But at the same time I can do a little bit of everything – whether it’s passing out Gatorade or giving a teammate some good advice. I’m just a good teammate I believe, and I think that’s good to have in the locker room..

Well lately you’ve been scoring a lot more. Can you pinpoint a reason for that?

Just confi dence and getting an opportunity to be out there. You look at the statistics in my career – whenever I’ve played a lot of minutes I’ve had ok or decent offensive games. But I compete

Page 22: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

2 0 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 1

on both ends, and at the end of the day I just want people to know me as a competitor.

Do you have any best friends on the team?

I pretty much like everybody. Everybody’s equal. Don’t really have any favorites. Everybody’s cool. Everybody’s always accepting each other.

What about around the league?

I got Will Bynum, that’s like my brother. I mean really like my brother. We used to spend the night over at each other’s houses in high school. Even when he was over in Europe I used to go over to his house and spend the night at his house. So that’s one of the guys that I would say is really close.

Also Luther Head, we play ball and hang out together. Oh and I can’t forget Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins – those are my dudes. That and I always stay in tune with Paul Peirce.

You mentioned some guys you played with in Boston. Talking about that, what’s it like to play on a world championship team versus a team that can’t quite cut it?

Well I’ve been on teams that couldn’t quite cut it before we had Kevin Garnett. I was with a team that lost 18 games in a row. Well I got hurt when they lost the 18 in a row, but I know what that feels like.

But I also know what it feels like to win. I know what it feels like to go to each game knowing that we’re going to have to come out here and play because we are the team that everybody’s trying to bring their best against. From the Clippers to the Toronto Raptors – I mean every team was coming with it. But that was only because we were the World Champion Boston Celtics.

I think Zach Randolph is just as talented as Kevin Garnett. I think Darrell Arthur can shoot just

as good as PJ Brown did for us... Mike Conley is just as good as Rondo but with a better jump

shot.... not to mention Rudy Gay – who is just as talented as Paul Piece. — Tony Allen

Page 23: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

M E M P H I S P O R T. N E T 2 1

It was a lot different from being on the Boston Celtics that lost 18 games in a row. Those guys probably come to the arena, take a couple quarters off and blow us out or be down 20 and come back and beat us.

So how does a team go from losing 18 in a row to winning a championship?

I think it’s about putting in the right pieces to the puzzle. You need your scorer. You need your shooter and post player. Then you need a good defensive post player and defensive wing. You need a great point guard who distributes the ball.

Mind you, all those pieces where probably at one point top scorers. So then you need a lot of them to sacrifi ce and do the defensive things that they need to do. You also need a bench that’s willing and ready to play at all times. And even after you get all that, everything has to fi nd a way to come together.

Does this team have the right pieces to the puzzle?

I think… well I’m going to say this. I think Zach Randolph is just as talented as Kevin Garnett. I think Darrell Arthur can shoot just as good as P.J. Brown did for us in the playoffs. I think O.J. Mayo has just as much, well maybe not just as much, but he can shoot well just like Ray Allen.

I would say Mike Conley is just as good as Rondo but with a better jump shot. I gotta say Marc Gasol is a highly talented offensive player, better than Perkins in that respect, and not to mention Rudy Gay – who is just as talented as Paul Piece.

At the end of the day all we have to do is focus – especially on defense. With all that talent on the offensive end, if we all make the sacrifi ce to focus on the defensive end, then it will be major.

You’ve mad a big impression on fans with how active you are during games, standing on the sidelines, waving towels, fi ring up the crowd. What inspires that kind of personality on the court?

I just think it’s the opportunity to get to play. I think it dawned on me the year after we won the championship and I didn’t play that much. I looked back and I saw that I wasn’t a good teammate. I wasn’t clapping and cheering because I was too stuck on myself. I didn’t enjoy the moment. So that next year I came back – worked hard, worked hard, worked hard.

Some things didn’t go my way at fi rst. They had a little interim period where they brought in Mike Finley, and I took that like it was kind of salt to a wound, but I still worked hard. I said to myself, “I’m still going to be the guy that’s a good teammate; I’m still going to be the guy that’s in the gym late nights. I’m still going to cheer for any incoming player.”

I was just thinking about my attitude before when I wasn’t playing, and I thought, “I love this game, and that wasn’t me.” So all the year I told myself that I was just going to thank God that I’m here, I’m going to be a good teammate, I’m going to cheer, and I’m going to do all that.

Eventually it all turned around for me. Look at this season. Good always comes to good. I just always stayed ready, so when I got an opportunity I was like, “YEAH! YEAH!” and I was prepared for it.

There ain’t no looking back now. I’m just going to keep that same energize-battery type of play… I mean you see it! Whatever you see that’s what it is! But it started from me just realizing that I love this game, and I need to love it whether I’m playing it or sitting on the sidelines.

You’ve talked several times about how, if you weren’t playing basketball you would be a teacher. Where does that come from?

Honestly, my granddad is a teacher. I wouldn’t say he was my top role model, but he was one of them. I used to look at him and think, “My granddaddy is the only one with a job! On my birthday he can always get me something… you know, my granddaddy – I like my granddaddy!”

So as I got older he said that if I went to college that I should take up education. So when I was in school and I was taking education, we had to do a lot of appearances with the kids and all that, I just fell in love with being around kids.

When you interact with them, you never know what they’ll say. They might say some of the craziest things, some of the funniest things. So I just loved being around kids. And I got my degree in education I was thinking, “You know what? Why not teach.” And ever since then I’ve always said that when I’m done with the NBA that I’m going to teach kids.

You just joined twitter. How’s that treating you so far?

Well I’m just on twitter. I don’t know. I’m just seeing what it’s about now. I’m just trying something new. I sit around a lot doing nothing, just chillin’, and then I run across the craziest things so I fi gure why not let the world know?

That word ‘crazy’ comes up a lot when you’re discussed. Pretty much any time a fan talks to me about you they say, “Tony Allen, man that guy’s crazy!” It happens more than you might think. What do you have to say to that? Are you crazy?

[Laughs] I don’t know man. I can’t say I’m crazy but I am a realist. Quote that. I am a realist and I do speak on things as they come and I do tell it how it is. I can’t sugarcoat anything and I can’t hide anything. That’s just what’s instilled in me.

I got to keep it real. [Laughs]

I mean, even in post-game interviews, it ain’t no secret about what happened, it wasn’t any magic. What happened in the game is what happened in the game.

So no, I’m not crazy – I’m just a realist.

Page 24: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

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

Th e 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 each year. Th is year’s nominees and winners are for the period between May 2009 and April 2010. You are in charge here, and what you say goes.

You make the picks, we tabulate the results. Th at’s all there is to it. Look for the winners in the next issue.

The Rules: Only one ballot may be fi lled out per person. Your ballot must include your name and email address and be entered by May 14. It’s not necessary to pick a winner in every category. But in order to be counted, a ballot must contain at least fi ve responses. No cheating. We know cheating when we see it. And we don’t like to see it. Th e online voting contains nominations for each category compliled by our staff at MemphiSport. As always, you are free to use our nominations or enter a nomination of your own. Vote online at memphisport.net or mail in this ballot.

The M Awards ‘11

VOTE NOW!VOTE NOW!DEADLINE TO ENTERDEADLINE TO ENTER

MAY 14 MAY 14

The voting begins on April 16. Tune into MemphiSport Live at 11am on

April 16 for the live nomination special — Only on Sports 56 WHBQ.

Page 25: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

OFFICIAL BALLOT

AT THE GAMEFavorite Concessions_______________________________

Favorite Place To Tailgate____________________________

Favorite Sporting Venue___________________________

Favorite Race_____________________________________

Best Game______________________________________

Most Memorable Moment__________________________

Favorite Annual Event_____________________________

Moment We Would Most Like to Forget_______________

Best Oddball Moment_____________________________

Best Musical Performance___________________________

Favorite In-Game Entertainment_____________________

SPORTS AROUND TOWN Best Place to Stock Up for the Big Game________________

Favorite Local Sports Bar/Restaurant__________________

Favorite National Sports Bar/Restaurant_______________

Favorite Place to Eat Before/Aft er the Game_____________

Favorite Place to Take the Team Aft er a Victory__________

Favorite Place To Play Cards________________________

Favorite Private Golf Course________________________

Favorite Golf Store________________________________

Favorite Sporting Goods Store_______________________

Favorite Sports Apparel Store________________________

*Name____________________________________________________________________________Address___________________________________________________________________________City, State and Zip___________________________________________________________________*email address_______________________________________________________________________

GET FITFavorite Workout Facility____________________________

Favorite Healthy Store_______________________________

Favorite Place to Spend a Nice Aft ernoon_________________

Favorite Bike Shop_________________________________

SPORTS MEDIAFavorite Sports Radio Personality_______________________

Favorite Local Sports Radio Program____________________

Favorite Local TV Sports Personality____________________

Favorite Sports Website_______________________________

Favorite Local Sports Blogsite__________________________

Favorite Sports Radio Segment_________________________

IN UNIFORMFavorite Mascot____________________________________

Favorite Spirit Squad________________________________

Favorite Uniforms__________________________________

Best Hair_________________________________________

Favorite Fighter or Wrestler___________________________

Favorite Golfer_____________________________________

Favorite Baseball Player______________________________

Favorite Football Player______________________________

Favorite Basketball Player______________________________

Favorite Athlete_____________________________________

Favorite Coach______________________________________

Favorite Team_______________________________________

Most Hated Rival____________________________________

YOUR INFODEADLINE TO ENTER IS MAY 14DEADLINE TO ENTER IS MAY 14

Two Ways To Enter:1. ONLINE VOTING: www.memphissport.net2. MAIL YOUR BALLOT: (photocopies are accepted) MEMPHIS SPORT, 1138 N Germantown Pkwy, Suite 101- 176, Cordova, TN 38018

Page 26: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

2 4 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 1

Page 27: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

WITH AMENITIES LIKE THESE,

> BOREDOM IS NOT AN OPTION.

www.GermantownAthleticClub.org

From its inception in 1990, Germantown Athletic Club has served as the community’s focal point for health and fitness by providing individuals and families in the Mid-South an environment that fosters fitness and fellowship. The Club offers its members numerous fitness and aquatic facilities, specialized classes and expert staff under the leadership of the City of Germantown.

Amenities include:> Certified and professional personal trainers available to assist in fitness programming > Fitness area, measuring more than 8,500 square feet with top-of-the-line aerobic and weight-training machines > New locker rooms and sauna> More than 75 group fitness classes offered each week – included in membership

> 40-meter indoor pool and hot tub area > Outdoor pool and splash park > Three-court gymnasium and three racquetball courts > Pilates studio > Cycling room equipped with 25 bikes> Nutritional counseling> Massage therapy> Club Cafe with smoothies, wraps, salads and more Indoor, three-lane, 1/12-mile walking track

Page 28: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

2 6 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 1

As consumers in this dot-com age we’re quick to integrate any i-WiFi-3G-app wielding device into our lives that product creators claim will make our days more effi cient. What often results from our preoccupation with maximum productivity is the added need to carve out more time (that we don’t have) in our schedules to manage the micromanagers. Fulfi lling all of our traditional and 3.0 obligations leaves even less time to provide our bodies with what they need to keep the madness going. Memphisport talked to Kelvin “York” Brown, vice president and director of training operations at Power Life Fitness to fi nd out how to get it all in.

I have an unpredictable schedule and few extra pounds of holiday weight that I let set up shop on my 5’3” frame, so I decided to put myself in the mix for this interview. I asked York to take me through one of the workouts the trainers at Power Life would prescribe for someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to spare during a typical day. His response, “Great! I love fresh blood!” Really.

The 30-minute workout didn’t kill me, but I defi nitely felt like I had been worked from head to toe. York says the workout was made up of compound movements, or full body exercises that “exhaust the most energy in the least amount of time.”

He stressed that exercising is not a one size fi ts all activity. The workout I did is just a sample of the many at-home programs available to Power Life clients. “Everybody’s got different needs. Everybody has different goals. That’s why personal training is personal. You don’t put everybody in this robotic system.”

After the workout I played devil’s advocate by feeding York some of the main questions and excuses I have heard/used to talk myself out of a workout and into eating or drinking something “I deserve” at the end of a long day or when I’m in a time crunch.

York’s main piece of advice for me was not to over think the lifestyle modifi cations. Enjoy treats in moderation, “but the majority of your life, practice eating healthy.” And I will – right after I fi nish my other articles and fi gure out how to work my new coffee maker.

To schedule a health and fi tness consultation at Power Life Fit-ness call 901.454.0003, or visit their web site at powerlifefi tness.net.

Written by Brandi Hunter

Getting it in when you don’t have time

P O W E R T R A I N Train harder. Train with power.

Healthy Living on the Go

I asked York to take me through one of the workouts the trainers

at Power Life would prescribe for someone

who doesn’t have a lot of time to spare

during a typical day. His response, “Great!

I love fresh blood!”

WE SAY: My busy schedule Keeps me from working out.

YORK SAYS: People have to change their mindsets. Instead of penciling exercise into your schedule, make it a mandatory part of your day.

WE SAY: I need to skip meals to lose weight.

YORK SAYS: The biggest rumor out there is if you want to lose weight, stop eating. You’re supposed to feed your body every three hours to get your metabolism going in the right direction.

WE SAY: I eat on the run at fast food restaurants and vending machines.

YORK SAYS: Choose chicken instead of beef. Order salads and don’t use the whole packet of dressing. Pack fruits, nuts, whole grain/whole wheat crackers and peanut butter or low sodium cold cuts as snacks.

WE SAY: I often need a pick-me-up because I get tired during the day.

YORK SAYS: Coffee is a natural stimulant, but too much of it is bad. Watch the servings with energy drinks. You only need half a can.

WE SAY: I eat late dinners most nights.

YORK SAYS: Eating late is not a bad thing, but you want to take in food that your body can process easily like fruits and vegetables and protein shakes.

WE SAY: My busy schedule Keeps me from working out.

YORK SAYS: People have to change their mindsets. Instead of penciling exercise into yourschedule, make it a mandatory part of your day.

WE SAY: I eat on the run at fast food restaurants and vending machines.

YORK SAYS: Choose chicken instead of beef. Order salads and don’t use the wholepacket of dressing. Pack fruits, nuts, whole grain/whole wheat crackers and peanutbutter or low sodium cold cuts as snacks.

WE SAY: I eat late dinners most nights.

YORK SAYS: Eating late is not a badthing, but you want to take in food that your body can process easily like fruits and vegetables and protein shakes.

For more details or to sign up now,

log on to www.pdsmemphis.org

Page 29: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

PDS SUMMER

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For more details or to sign up now,

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Page 30: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

2 8 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 1

Christiana

Squad: Southwest Tennessee Community College Hometown: Bartlett, TNAge: 32Classifi cation: Sophomore

Plans after graduation: Pursue a Bachelor’s degree and a career in Human Resources and become a cheerleading coach

On being a “Cheer Mom”: The most common reaction I get when I tell people is, ‘Oh, you coach? Your daughter cheers?’

On Coach Sabrina: I respect her more than anybody. I owe a lot to her.

On teammates: We don’t judge each other. We put everything aside and just come here and try to take care of our business.

Written by Brandi Hunter, Photo by Chase Gustafson

VA R S I T Y S P I R I T Go. Fight. Win.

2 8 F E B R U A R Y/ M A R C H 2 0 1 1

Page 31: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

M E M P H I S P O R T. N E T 2 9

Cheer Moms

Tabitha Harris, Starr Johnson, Christiana Smith, and Marci Laverdet spend their days doing what many college cheerleaders do – commuting to class, going to cheerleading practice for a few hours, and fi nding time to study. However, when these Southwest Tennessee Community College (STCC) cheerleaders get home, they might have to postpone their own study time to help their son or daughter with homework.

All four women were cheerleaders for several years before they became mothers in their teens. They agree the timing of the pregnancies was not ideal, but they prove to people everyday that pursuing their goals is still possible. “You have to push yourself more than anything, and because you have a child that is even more reason to go to school and prove everyone wrong,” Johnson says.

STCC competes annually at the Cheerleaders of America National Championship Cheer and Dance Competition, but their team responsibilities last throughout the year. In addition to three-hour long practices four to six days a week, the team cheers at women and men’s basketball games and represents STCC at charity events.

All of the women want to earn their Bachelor’s degrees, but fi nishing college is only one of many things they plan to cross off their to-do lists. Harris wants to be a professional

cheerleader in the NFL. They credit their coach and former Titans cheerleader Sabrina Tiller for giving them the motivation and support they need to excel academically and personally.

Tiller says part of her job is to prepare her team for life after college. “I want you to start thinking about your life. You are in college. You are an adult and you are going to have to make your own decisions.” She says expects a strong commitment from every team member and appreciates the

dedication from her cheer moms. “They’re not getting paid for this. They don’t get scholarships. They get a small stipend, but they do it because they love it.”

For more information about the cheerleading program at STCC, e-mail Sabrina at [email protected], or visit the web site chi.southwest.tn.edu/cheer.

“They’re not getting paid for this. They don’t get scholarships. They get a small stipend, but they do it because they love it.”

Written by Brandi Hunter, Photo by Chase Gustafson

Not your average cheerleaders

Page 32: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

3 0 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 1

Written by Rudi Schiffer

A L L I N You can’t win if you don’t play.

Rudi Schiffer, the “Voice of Tunica” has been a fi xture in Mississippi since the Splash Casino fi rst opened in 1992. He is also the producer and co-host of the Goodtimes Radio show, the casino gambling show heard weekly on 730 Fox Sports and Gambling.

The Future of Slot Technology

Slot machine technology is moving so fast that the average player cannot keep up with the pace, and perhaps that player could care less as long as frequent hits show up and different and more exciting games continue to appear on the casino fl oor.

While the faithful masses of slot players continue to huddle over their favorite games without any insight into the future, there are very defi nitely changes on the horizon that will have dramatic impact on how they play, what they play and maybe even, how they get paid.

“Downloadable games are coming and while the fi rst implementation will mainly benefi t a casino, players will be happy to know they can demand more games and get satisfaction since the this technology allows new games to be deployed more easily,” said John Robison, slot expert and gaming author.

Robison, peered into his own crystal ball and predicted that in the future players will be able to create their own list of preferred games, like having their own personal “Game Maker.” He said that players will be able to pick any machine and play any game on it.

“Several casinos are testing this technology now but it might take a few years for it to become used widely,” he said. He also predicted there would be some player resistance to such changes, just as some resisted bill acceptors and ticket systems, technologies that are now standard.

“At some point, all machines in a casino will be download capable, but it might not be for several years or so,” he said. ”Player entertainment options will not be limited simply to games; future options can appear as varied as preferred music, movies, live television/sporting events and so on. There will defi nitely be a future convergence between gaming and traditional entertainment. Casino operators will also have technology to further recognize and reward their best players but also surprise and delight new ones such as celebrating their birthday or recognizing if they are new to the casino.”

The industry is looking at gaming as more of an overall experience with the fl oor and property layout design., There is also a focus on retail philosophies concerning customer shopping habits that can also related to their gaming habits.

And if you think slot manufacturers were bottom fi shing when they made games with nickel and penny denominations, hold on. “I think the future of slot gaming includes fractional penny credits, half penny, tenth of a penny,” Robison. “It’s being done now in Australia and headed this way.”

While much of what we know on the slot fl oor will become obsolescent in the near future, one thing remains clear…games will be easier to play and you can play what you want on one machine and with denoms you would not think would interest players. You have heard that before now look at many penny and fi ve cent machines are on casino fl oors.

Future options can appear as varied as preferred music, movies, live television/

sporting events and so on. There will defi nitely be a future convergence between

gaming and traditional entertainment.

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Page 33: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

M E M P H I S P O R T. N E T 3 1

Page 34: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

3 2 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 1

GOODTIMES

GOOODDTIMES AALLLL TTHHE TIME!

Casino gambblinng tips and info, great giiveaways,

expert slot tallk, restaurant reviews andd cigaar

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from 6-8pmm onn 730 Fox Sports and Gaammblingg.

Catch the rebbroadcasts Saturday moornningss

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Page 35: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

M E M P H I S P O R T. N E T 3 3

Do these two photos of Snoop Dogg courtside at the Grizzlies-Lakers game look the same to you? Look again. We made seven changes to the photo on the right. Time yourself to see how long it takes you to fi nd all seven.

Photo by Chase Gustafson

Play. Play. Play. P I C T U R E P U Z Z L E

Dogg-gone Changes

Page 36: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

3 4 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 1

Fan Appreciation NightMarch 19, 2011, Desoto Civic CenterPhotos by Justin Ford

TA I L G AT I N G Sports was happening and you were there.

Mississippi RiverKings

2121

1. Bo Ripey and Renee Eldsworth

2. Rebekah Baumann and Devonne Shepherd

3. Jermey Elkins and Perri Elkins

4. Mike and Nikki Britton

5. Donna and Johns Means

6. Jina Mohundro and Michael Casoli

7. Grace Dettelbach and Jermey Davis

8. Marty Taranski, Scott Brode, Larry Caulford, Sheila Caulford and Will Hobbs

1

2

8

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54

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Page 37: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

M E M P H I S P O R T. N E T 3 5

9

14

1312

1110

March 8, 2011, FedExForumPhotos by Justin Ford

Harlem Globetrotters

9. Anne, James and William Locke

10. Burton and Rosie Casanova

11. Caroline and James West

12. David and Payton Offerly

13. Isra, Asif and Aryan Ahmed

14. Daxton Davis, Davis York, Benton York and Corey Davis

15. Gabbie Ezell, Ashley Cobb, Alex Kelly and Anna Horner

9 Anne James and William Locke

15

Page 38: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

3 6 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 1

Written by Jack Eaton, Illustrated by Andrew Chandler

As some of you may know I was recently inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Now, to be perfectly honest, I knew very little about the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame other than it was in Nashville.

Several weeks ago, Harold Graeter asked me if I would become a member if I was voted in. Of course I said, “yes” and forgot all about it. Next thing I know, I had been voted in and was set to be inducted this past February.

This was way back in November of last year. I have been had trouble with my hips for some time—fi ve hip replacements in the past few years, the last two especially painful. I wondered how my mobility would be by February. But I fi gured I could handle it. After all, it was a couple months away.

The Hall of Fame came to Memphis to interview me before the event.

They explained that they liked to have taped footage to show to hold down the time the inductees spent “live” on stage. The interview lasted about ten minutes and they seemed pleased with the outcome. I told them all about that when I fi rst started my play-by-play career, I did Ole Miss in the fall and Memphis State in the winter. I don’t think they fully understood the fi ne line I had to walk. No matter.

As the day drew closer I began to worry about my bad hip. Would it hold out? Should I cancel? Nah, guys from Washington and Jefferson College are tough. Yeah. But still, the darn thing really began to hurt and riding in a car only made it worse.

So my son, Todd, borrowed an SUV from a friend. It had enough legroom for a big, lanky guy like me. I was fairly comfortable... fairly.

My pastor from Christ the King Lutheran Church, Chuck Neugebauer, wanted to come with us. So the fi ve of us—set out for Nashville.

No problems on the way to Nashville.We got there in plenty of time for the luncheon and had a chance to meet the other inductees. I didn’t know any of them. I had heard of ex-UT Coach Bill Battle, but that was it. Former Tiger great Bill Hudson’s son was inducted. Bill played in the early 60’s. I hadn’t seen “Big Bill” in years and I was glad to see him looking well.

So the night of the banquet arrived and I was hurting. I had taken my walker along just in case and I was glad I did. I needed it.

My presentation was brief, told a couple of quick stories and was gone. Battle talked for upwards of half an hour. He lost me half way through.

All in all it was a good experience, but it would have been a whole lot better if my hip hadn’t hurt so bad.

Next year, they say they are going to have a better representation from West Tennessee (at least, thats the plan).

The Hall of Fame itself is in downtown Nashville and has lots of memorabilia and stuff. It is worth a visit, so if your heading that way, just say, “Jack Eaton sent me.”

J A C K ’ S B A C K A Memphis legend takes a look back.

I told a couple of quick stories and was

gone. Battle talked for upwards of half an hour. He lost me

half way through.

“Big “ Jack Eaton can be heard every Friday at 8am on KWAM 990 alongside former County Commissioner John Willingham. In February, Jack will be inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

this past February.

Hall of Famer

Page 39: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

M E M P H I S P O R T. N E T 3 7

Why do we play sports?

Why do we exhaust ourselves endlessly chasing

one another within fence enclosed grassy meadows or

frustrate ourselves by attempting to thwart the laws

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

or punish ourselves with the unnatural pursuit of

conquering environments we have no business

wading into?

Why? Because it is there. Because the human

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

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

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

dive deeper, glory awaits.

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

don’t like, what we detest, is not being

able to play.

That’s where Campbell Clinic

comes in.

Our sports medicine staff specializes in

getting athletes off the training table and

back on the field as quickly as possible. But

we’re not just experts in sports medicine,

we’re also the leader in general orthopaedics.

So is it any wonder that the most serious of

athletes, those from the professional and

college ranks, choose Campbell Clinic?

And if people whose careers are dependent

upon healthy bodies think we’re the best, then

odds are we’re a pretty good choice for weekend

warriors, long-time couch potatoes, or anyone

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

Because even if you’re tough enough to play with pain,

there’s no reason you should have to.

CAMPBELL CLINICOrthopaedics

www.campbellcl in ic .com

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 riverkings, the kroger st. jude tennis tournament,

and ballet memphis. #43

#43

Page 40: MemphiSport 29, Apr/May 2011

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