Memphis Athletics Hits Tiger Leadership Circle Goal Early, Eclipses $2 Million in Gifts

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis Athletics has announced it has secured additional Tiger Leadership Circle gifts that pushes the group past $2 million in annual recurring unrestricted gifts. The $2 million goal was established for June 2022, with the expedited progress representative of the tremendous support of Tiger fans and donors.

"We are truly fortunate to have such amazing supporters in Memphis," Memphis Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Laird Veatch said. "The Tiger Leadership Circle was an idea of how we could encourage and engage our donor base more directly, and the response has been incredible. Memphians love the Tigers, and this progress makes that clear."

Helping Memphis Athletics eclipse its $2 million goal was a recent leadership AD's Circle commitment from The Scheidt Family and TLC Ambassador commitments from Ben & Martha Bryant, Fogelman Properties, Karen Fields Isaacman & Dr. Ken Isaacman, Rick & Sandy Spell and Tom & Robin Watson.

"When athletics leadership launched the Tiger Leadership Circle, we were compelled to be involved," The Scheidt Family of Elkan Scheidt, Susan Arney and Helen Gronauer said in a joint statement. "Providing philanthropic leadership is something our family is happy to do when the charge is so impactful to our wonderful city. A great city deserves a great University, and a great university deserves a strong athletics program. We are excited to be on board."

The Tiger Leadership Circle (TLC) is Memphis Athletics' premier student-athlete support program. The TLC incorporates all stakeholders who make the greatest impact on Memphis Tiger Athletics. This new circle of leadership annual donors is the catalyst for sustained excellence in Tiger Athletics. 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 Memphis' athletics programs.

TLC members will gain access and invitations to Tiger Athletics experiences such as:

TLC Field Lounge at football games
Courtside Club at FedExForum
'Travel with the Tigers' opportunities
Exclusive events with head coaches and athletics leadership
Student-athlete mentorship program

"Leadership like that of the Scheidts, Bryants, Fogelmans, Spells, Isaacmans and Watsons is what will continue our ascension in collegiate athletics competition," Veatch added. "With the climb to the next level of intercollegiate competition more competitive than ever, the most differentiating resource for Tiger Athletics will be leadership annual giving. We need to continue to challenge ourselves to think big."

Since the program's soft launch in the spring of 2021, the TLC has helped secure annually recurring unrestricted gifts totaling over $2 million. The initial goal is to raise $4 million in annually recurring unrestricted gifts by June 2023.

For more information, interested donors can visit www.GoTigersGo.com/TigerLeadershipCircle or contact Blair DeBord, Associate Athletics Director for Development, at bdebord@memphis.edu or 901.678.2334.

How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Athletics, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the department's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Inaugural Tiger Leadership Circle Members
(New Pledged Gifts, Additional Pledge Gifts)
M. Brent Addington
Tim & Ashley Argo – Ambassador
Susan Arney – AD's Circle
Armstrong Relocation – Ambassador
Anne Wulff & Brian Bendersky – Ambassador
Emile A. Bizot III – Ambassador
Billy & Madonna Bond – Ambassador
Mr. Matthew Bond
David & Judy Bronczek – Ambassador
Paul Brothers - Ambassador
Glen & Valerie Brown – Ambassador
Michael & Marian Bruns – Ambassador
Ben & Martha Bryant – Ambassador
Mr. & Mrs. Gary W. Bryant – Ambassador
Mr. Dana Capocaccia
Mrs. Marsha Cohn – Ambassador
Bryce Corporation
Chris & Michelle Burcky
Bob & Debra Byrd – Ambassador
Campbell Clinic
Robert & Jenny Carter - Ambassador
Jennifer & Michael Cook - Ambassador
Hilliard & Harriet Crews – Ambassador
Jason & Michelle Crews
Daniel Feinstone - Ambassador
Edward Dobbs - Ambassador
John Dobbs, Sr.
John Dobbs, Jr.
Tommie Dunavant, Jr. - Ambassador
G. Douglas & Andrea Edwards Jr. - Ambassador
Bill & Mary Beth Edwards
Matthew & Kathryn Stewart Ephlin - Ambassador
FedEx Sponsorship Marketing
Lenny & Rhonda Feiler - Ambassador
Peter & Judy Felsenthal
First Tennessee Bank
Frank & Brenda Flautt, Jr. - Ambassador
Ms. Glenna Flautt - Ambassador
Avron B. Fogelman – Ambassador
Fogelman Properties - Ambassador
Mr. & Mrs. Robert F. Fogelman II
Phil & Lindsey Glass
Susan & Alan Graf Jr. – AD's Circle
Mr. Gary Grear
Helen Gronauer – AD's Circle
Mr. Timothy Gillespie
Jim & Kathryn Gilliland - Ambassador
Tim & Tonia Hanson
Barry E. Hardin - Ambassador
Mr. Anfernee Hardaway – Ambassador
Michael & Rebecca Hawkins – Ambassador
Trey & Lauren Heath
Randy & Laurie Higginbotham
George & Margaret 'Marty' Higgs
Jim & Doris Hillhouse - Ambassador
Fred Hodges - Ambassador
Jim & Peggy Hughes - Ambassador
Donna Humphreys
Karen Fields Isaacman & Dr. Ken Isaacman - Ambassador
January Service Company
Janet January - Ambassador
Derek & Cindy Jett - Ambassador
George & Betty Johnson - Ambassador
Sandra Jones - Ambassador
Bryan & Kim Jordan
Elise Jordan
Tom & Anne Marie Kadien - Ambassador
Mike & Ann Keeney - Ambassador
Kisber Enterprises LLC
Mr. William L Koeneman - Ambassador
Wes & Becky Kraker - Ambassador
James & Margie Lackie – Ambassador
Al & Carol LaRocca - Ambassador
Bill & Nancy Laurie - Ambassador
Kenneth & Sandy Lenoir - Ambassador
Lensrentals.com, Roger Cicala
R. Brad & Dina Martin – Ambassador
Brennon & Kamille Martin
Phil & Mary Tom Massey
A. Stephen & Beverly McDaniel - Ambassador
Randy & Lisa McKnight
Cheryl & Joe McCormack
Jackson & Betty Moore – AD's Circle
Mr. William (Bill) Morris - Ambassador
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Moss
Mr. & Mrs. John M. Nichols
Mr. Dave North - Ambassador
Billy & Robin Orgel - Ambassador
Ms. Lauren Pickens - Ambassador
Mr. William Pickens
David & Susan Perdue - Ambassador
Woody & Lisa Reid
M. Kyle & Bernadette Rice - Ambassador
Kent Ritchey and Landers Ford – Ambassador
Jerry & Nina Patton/Roadshow BMW
Laura & Ray Rosas - Ambassador
Ms. Debbi Rose - Ambassador
Mr. Gary Rosenberg - Ambassador
Elkan & Laurie Scheidt – AD's Circle
Frederick & Diane Smith - Ambassador
Ms. Nancy Smith - Ambassador
SouthWorth Capital Management – AD's Circle
Rick & Sandy Spell - Ambassador
Ms. Elaine I. Springer - Ambassador
Susan Springfield
John W. & Anne Stokes Jr. - Ambassador
Rita Sparks - Ambassador
Christy Spell Terry - Ambassador
Ron & Wynoka Terry – Ambassador
Keith & Gina Thweatt
Tom & Robin Watson - Ambassador
David Wedaman - Ambassador
Jim & Gina Wiertelak - Ambassador
Mr. Byrne Whitehead
Ms. Carolyn Williams
Robert & Susan Wilson - Ambassador

Memphis Athletics Hits Tiger Leadership Circle Goal Early, Eclipses $2 Million in Gifts

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