PENNY HARDAWAY

THE MEMPHIS COACHING YEARS

25 years ago — 1998

The number of pedestrian bridges over downtown streets would increase from three to six if plans for Peabody Place’s shopping and cinema complex are approved unchanged. In addition to three pedestrian bridges, called skywalks, the complex also would have a vehicular bridge connecting the hotel’s main entrance to a proposed new parking garage. Currently, downtown has two enclosed skywalks — one spanning Jefferson to link Morgan Keegan Tower at 50 N. Main; and another over Main connecting Memphis Cook Convention Center to the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

50 years ago — 1973

Emmett Kelly, creator of the sadsack clown, “Weary Willie,” has a confession: “I hate crowds.” Kelly, 74, perhaps the most famous of circus clowns, lives in seclusion in Sarasota, Fla., when not performing. “As soon as that curtain comes down, I’m not Willie anymore,” says Kelly. But he adds . . . “When I get my audience to laugh — not just smile — and feel sorry for me, then I’ve done my job.”

75 years ago — 1948 WASHINGTON – A House bill to admit alien sweethearts of G.I.S into the

United States was approved Wednesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The measure would permit fiancées of members of the armed forces to enter this country for at least three months through 1948. If they married during the three months, they could stay.

100 years ago — 1923 PITTSBURGH – A small statue of Queen Nefertiti, the nagging mother-inlaw of King Tutankhamun, whom she drove to an early grave, reached the Carnegie Museum here today. Tut married Amon-se-amks, the old queen’s daughter, and thus made his path clear to the throne of Egypt. But in spite of all his wealth and regal power, Tut’s married life was anything but a bed of roses.

125 years ago — 1898 WASHINGTON – In spite of the stories that come from unofficial sources in Havana as to sensational developments in connection with the work of divers in the Maine’s hull, the administration remains firm in its statement that there is no credible evidence, one way or the other, as to the cause of the disaster, and holds to its purpose to await the conclusion of the investigation now making by the court of inquiry.

PETRE THOMAS / USA TODAY SPORTS JOE RONDONE/THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL Feb. 12, 2023: Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway, right, talks with Memphis Tigers guard Jayden Hardaway (25) during the first half against the Temple Owls at Fedexforum. Memphis won the game 86-77. Feb. 22, 2020: Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway talks to his team before they take on the Houston Cougars at the Fedexforum. Memphis won the game 60-59.

BRIANNA PACIORKA/NEWS SENTINEL Dec. 14, 2019: Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway speaks to Memphis center Malcolm Dandridge (23) during a basketball game between Tennessee and Memphis at Thompson-boling Arena in Knoxville. Memphis won the game 51-47.

THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL FILES March 20, 2018: Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway holds up his old jersey with AD Tom Bowen, right, while being introduced as the University of Memphis’ new head basketball coach at the Laurie-walton Family Basketball Center.