Erma Roan, the University of Memphis’ first women’s athletic director and senior female administrator, has been revered as the backbone of Tiger women’s sports. From 1955 until 1970, she served as the head coach of the Memphis Tiger Women’s Basketball Team, volleyball, and badminton until her retirement in 1984 after serving on numerous committees. She held administrative positions with the Memphis Athletic Department for over 50 years. She has awards and hall of fame.
Tamika Whitmore, a women’s basketball student-athlete from 1995 to 1999, finished her career with 2,488 points, second in program history, and fourth in Tiger women’s basketball history with 952 rebounds. A two-time Conference USA Player of the Year and three-time All-American, she was drafted by the WNBA’s New York Liberty after her career at Memphis and played 11 seasons with New York, Indiana and Connecticut. At the same time, he participated in international matches in Spain, France, Mexico, etc. Poland, Russia, Czech Republic.
A standout player for Tiger volleyball in the 1971 and 1972 seasons, Sharon Watson led her team to a 35-14 record in two seasons, with notable wins over Tennessee, Houston, and Ole Miss. Ta. Watson took over as coach at Briarcrest Christian School. During her 22 years, she held a record of 554 wins and 178 losses. As a member of the Lady Saints, Watson and staff made her 13th TSSAA state tournament appearance and were crowned champions four times. Watson, who was named Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 1987, served as principal at Briarcrest Middle School for nearly 20 years until her retirement in 2016.
A standout pitcher and first baseman for the Tiger baseball team for four years, Allie Prescott III was named All-Missouri Valley Conference in 1968 after posting a 4-2 pitching record while boasting a batting average of .318. was selected for the team. Prescott batted .309 during his career and contributed to the Tigers’ overall record of 71-44-2. Prescott graduated from the University of Memphis in 1969 and received his law degree from Cecil C. Humphries School of Law in 1972.
Memphis native and men’s soccer head coach Richard Mulroney took over the Tigers in 2014 after a successful 12-year career in Major League Soccer, and was a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team from 2001 to 2004. , played in 14 games. The team won the 2002 Gold Cup. Mulroney led the Tigers to a historic 2022 season, earning an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament and making it to the Big Dance for the first time since the 2004 season. During his tenure in Memphis, Mulrooney has coached 26 all-conference selections and five all-region honorees.
Phil Clark, a great catcher on the Tiger baseball team, led Memphis to one of the best seasons in program history in 1978. Clark hit .328 and worked directly with the pitching staff to lead the team to his 40-9 record. With this record and a berth to the NCAA South Regional Championship, Clark went on to coach at Germantown High School, where he won the 1995 national championship and was named USA Today National Coach of the Year.
Jack Eaton, the legendary voice of Tiger football and basketball for more than 28 years, came to Memphis in 1956 and worked as sports director for WMC-TV & Radio, retiring in June 1991. Eaton is a 2011 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame honoree. , Eaton is still known as the voice of the Tigers after being courtside at every Tigers basketball game, including the 1973 national championship game with Larry Finch and others.
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