The Commercial Appeal

Hardaway’s hiring has Tiger fans buzzing

- Ron Maxey Memphis Commercial Appeal USA TODAY NETWORK - TENNESSEE

The lines weren’t long at the University of Memphis athletic ticket office Tuesday afternoon, but that’s deceptive.

“The phones have definitely been ringing off the hooks,” said Steve Macy, assistant athletic director. “We haven’t even made a formal announceme­nt yet

that they’re on sale; we wanted today to be all about coach.”

“Coach,” of course, is Penny Hardaway, who officially became the next Tigers men’s basketball coach Tuesday. And in addition to those ticket-office callers and others buying online — where the bulk of ticket commerce occurs — the few who showed up in person in the building named for Hardaway came with high expectatio­ns.

“I absolutely believe that whole destiny thing,” said Lynn Smith, who lives just down the street from the ticket office. “I think we’ll end up with a national championsh­ip.”

Then there’s Jim Webb of Piperton, Tenn.

“I think you’re going to be shocked with the recruiting,” said Webb, a longtime season ticket holder who continued to go to games even during the recent lean times. “He (Hardaway) has one goal: to win a national championsh­ip. Who else even says that out loud?”

Plenty of people were willing to say it out loud Tuesday.

Webb wanted to make sure his season tickets were renewed early so that he’s there for every game if it happens, and Smith was getting two season tickets after letting them lapse this year. She said she only went to a game or two this season.

Macy said renewals from past season ticket holders are where most of the activity is coming.

“A lot of it is people coming back rather than those that are brand new,” he said. “We’ll be contacting those who have dropped over the past several years, or even more recently.”

Macy said the push will begin with a promotion being unveiled Wednesday morning.

“It’s just a cute little thing,” he said. “Not a big deal.”

But there’s nothing about this that isn’t a big deal for the faithful who wanted to be there in person after Tuesday’s announceme­nt.

“The difference will be overnight,” Tim McCormack said.

McCormack, a season ticket holder since the Mid-South Coliseum days, said he had season tickets up until this year.

“I just couldn’t justify going down to watch what was going on,” he said.

One man in the ticket office didn’t want to give his name because he was supposed to be at work and said he’d get in trouble for being there. But, he added, he expects Hardaway to be the shot in the arm Memphis basketball needs right now.

“I’m not from Memphis, but I remember seeing Penny play when he was here,” he said. “It’s exciting, and it’s what Memphis needs.”

As Webb noted: “It was sad to see maybe 4,000 to 5,000 there many, many nights, but that’s going to change. I think Penny is the perfect person for the job under these circumstan­ces.”

 ?? MARK ?? Penny Hardaway holds up his old jersey with AD Tom Bowen (right) while being introduced. WEBER/THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL
MARK Penny Hardaway holds up his old jersey with AD Tom Bowen (right) while being introduced. WEBER/THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL

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