So there I was sitting at a table in a packed ballroom at The Racquet Club watching University of Memphis football coach Tommy West honored at an appreciation dinner.

There were proclamations from state representatives, a short speech from Mayor Willie Herenton, classic stories from former teammates and coaches and several special gifts, including a custom-made putter.

As the evening came to a close, a person sitting at the same table leaned over and said: “It’s hard to believe (Memphis) went 2-10 last season.”

The outpouring of support was genuine and a sign that West’s inclusion on several `Coaches on the Hot Seat’ lists is a bit off base, especially at a school devoid of the intense spotlight that shines on BCS programs.

West is appreciated for what he has done for the Tiger football program during his career. Before last season’s struggles, Memphis had been to three straight bowls — the only time in history the school has been to consecutive bowls.

That’s what created an atmosphere Tuesday night normally reserved for a post-league championship party. One of the event’s organizers, Don DeWeese, said he could have sold an additional 100 tickets, but had to cap the crowd at 260.

Believe it or not, officials from the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission are asking people to be on the lookout for jackrabbits. If you see one anywhere in Arkansas, they want to hear from you.

Jackrabbits are native to Arkansas, but they’re fairly scarce. They stand out from cottontails and swamp rabbits because they are considerably larger and can jump as high as 3 feet and as far as 9 feet.
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Thank you, Chuck, for making me aware that among my “Week 0 Thoughts,” I failed to mention anything on county-school football.

In an effort to right this wrong, I’d like to take some time to acknowledge the feel-good story that was Arlington’s 21-7 victory over Germantown last Friday at Arlington. After three years of preparing for their first full varsity season, the Tigers made a statement before their home crowd Friday, limiting Germantown to zero passing yards and zero second-half points. With 32 seniors, including highly sought offensive tackle Alex Hurst and standout middle linebacker John Michael Bryant, Arlington will be anything but a pushover this season in 5A football.

A hot topic that is on the minds of many Tigers fans and Memphians in general is the Liberty Bowl and future stadiums. This is a crossroads decision in my ever so humble opinion. It is going to be about what we as Tigers fans and supporters want for our future in athletics.
Here are my 10 reasons for getting an on-campus stadium. Please take the time to read them and make up your own mind. Then make your opinion known to whomever you feel you need to.

1. Memphis is the only D-1 school in Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi that does not have an on-campus stadium. Most understand that the larger SEC schools have one. But fellow C-USA member Southern Mississippi has the Rock. And yes, even Middle Tennessee and Arkansas State have on-campus football stadiums.

2. Memphis is only one of three C-USA schools that does not have an on-campus facility. UAB and Tulane are the other two. Both of those schools will never be mistakened for having a large fan bases. Here’s the breakdown of on-campus stadiums.

C-USA
East
East Carolina Dowdy-Ficklin Stadium 43,000
Marshall Joan C. Edwards Stadium 38,016
Southern Miss M.M. Roberts Stadium 36,152
UCF Bright House Networks Stadium 45,301

WEST
Houston John O’Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium 32,000
Rice Rice Stadium 47,000 expandable to 70,000 if needed
SMU Gerald J. Ford Stadium 32,000 possible expansion to 45,000
Tulsa Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium 35,542
UTEP Sun Bowl 51,500
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ALABAMA

Starting nose tackle Brian Motley is out indefintely after reportedly breaking a bone on the outside of his ankle Tuesday. Motley, a 6-foot-2, 280-pound freshman, was hurt during practice Tuesday afternoon and was carted off the field for X-rays. Motley was recovering from surgery during preseason camp to replace a broken bone in his right hand. He had only recently returned to full contact work in practice and was expected to play Saturday against Western Carolina with a cast on his forearm. Sophomore Lorenzo Washington, who is listed behind Motley on the depth chart, is the likely replacement. Read the rest of this entry »