Memphis Athletics Launches Tiger Leadership Circle

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis Athletics has launched the Tiger Leadership Circle, a new annual leadership giving society focused on increasing contributions above and beyond ticket donations. The TLC plans to boost annual revenue to sustain and invest in programmatic success by incentivizing donors with VIP gameday experiences and exclusive access perks.

The launch will be commemorated with the inaugural Tiger Leadership Circle Stakeholder Weekend, where members will enjoy a behind the scenes look at Memphis Athletics on Friday and football gameday VIP events on Saturday.

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

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

"Our leadership team used the past year to prepare several strategic planning initiatives, including a new leadership annual giving society – the Tiger Leadership Circle – which will prove to be the catalyst for the next critical step in our journey," Memphis Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Laird Veatch said. "This program honors Memphis' rich history of giving, while encouraging additional philanthropy and cultivating new relationships within our community.

"In this ever-changing time in college athletics, we need philanthropic leadership to continue to position us for future opportunities. The initial response to our program has been overwhelmingly positive, demonstrated by the AD's Circle 'Challenge' pledges from the Graf Family, the Moore Family and the Presley Family. Their leadership commitments to the growth of our department have already helped inspire several others to join them. We'll need many more to join the Circle in order to achieve our aggressive Vision for the 2020s."

"When we were approached about supporting, our answer was simple. We are 'All-In', just like Coach Silverfield's mantra," AD's Circle Challenge participant Alan Graf said. "Our family couldn't be more excited to be leaders for this new and creative initiative. Now is the time for Memphians to support however they are able. Whether that's ticket purchases or leadership philanthropy, we need our whole community to push the Tigers forward in the constantly changing world of college athletics."

"As a member of the Ambassador Club for Memphis Athletics, we have felt the pull to support the Tigers for quite some time," said Jack and Betty Moore. "With the recent developments in college sports and the athletic department leadership's strategic plan, we decided to commit once again to helping drive Memphis Athletics forward. We are so excited to be part of this group and can't wait for what's to come."

"I can remember going to school at then Memphis State and getting together whatever I had to try to see the Tigers in the Coliseum," said Jeff Presley, Founder and Principal at SouthWorth Capital. "I, like many fans from that time, remember those games fondly and that's what made this such an easy decision for us. This city, our great university and Tiger Athletics has come a long way since those days, but we have more to do. I'm proud to support the university and be part of the group that's pushing athletics at the University of Memphis to new heights. When we sat down with athletics leadership, their vision and priorities are clear, and I believe in them. Our time is now to hit the gas."

"As a lifelong Memphian and former football player for the Tigers, I am proud of the progress made, just since my time on campus, and I understand the significant role the University and Memphis Athletics play in our great city," said Clay Presley, Partner at SouthWorth Capital. "Jeff and I, along with our families and entire SouthWorth Capital team, are excited to be part of the group that helps raise our national profile through philanthropic support of the university's ongoing efforts to invest in Tiger Athletics."

Since the program's soft launch in the spring of 2021, the TLC has helped secure annually recurring unrestricted gifts totaling over $1.5 million. The initial goal is to raise $2 million in annual recurring TLC gifts by the end of this year and eclipse $4 million by June 2023.

"We are really encouraged and enthusiastic about the response to the initiative during our 'quiet phase,'" said Associate Athletic Director for Development Blair DeBord. "We started with 52 members in the TLC last spring and now recognize 101 members giving at least $15,000 above and beyond their tickets annually. In addition, the majority of our members have made multi-year commitments, including nine new pledges totaling $500,000 and five of $1 million or more. We have great momentum towards achieving our goals and we're excited about the financial support this program will provide our student-athletes, coaches and sport programs."

For more information, interested donors can visit www.GoTigersGo.com/TigerLeadershipCircle, contact the Tiger Scholarship Fund office at (901) 678-2334 or send an email to TSF@memphis.edu.

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
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
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
First Tennessee Bank
Frank & Brenda Flautt, Jr. - Ambassador
Ms. Glenna Flautt - Ambassador
Avron B. Fogelman - Ambassador
Mr. & Mrs. Robert F. Fogelman II
Susan & Alan Graf Jr. - Ambassador
Mr. Gary Grear
Mr. Timothy Gillespie
Barry E. Hardin - Ambassador
Mr. Anfernee Hardaway – Ambassador
Michael & Rebecca Hawkins - Ambassador
Randy & Laurie Higginbotham
George & Margaret 'Marty' Higgs
Jim & Doris Hillhouse - Ambassador
Fred Hodges - Ambassador
Jim & Peggy Hughes - Ambassador
Donna Humphreys
Dr. Ken & Karen 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
Phil & Mary Tom Massey
A. Stephen & Beverly McDaniel - Ambassador
Randy & Lisa McKnight
Cheryl & Joe McCormack
Jackson & Betty Moore - Ambassador
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
Scheidt Family - Ambassador
Frederick & Diane Smith - Ambassador
Ms. Nancy Smith - Ambassador
SouthWorth Capital Management - Ambassador
Rick & Sandy Spell - Ambassador
Ms. Elaine I. Springer - Ambassador
Susan Springfield
Mrs. Anne Stokes - Ambassador
Mr. John W. Stokes Jr. - Ambassador
Rita Sparks - Ambassador
Christy Spell Terry - Ambassador
Ron & Wynoka Terry – Ambassador
Tom & Robin Watson - Ambassador
David Wedaman - Ambassador
Jim & Gina Wiertelak - Ambassador
Mr. Byrne Whitehead
Ms. Carolyn Williams
Robert & Susan Wilson - Ambassador

University of Memphis Athletics

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