(Edit: My contact at the U of M is now sending me word that this may have been cancelled. Will post more details as I learn them.)
A reader just sent me this and I wanted to pass it along. It’s a letter from U of M president Shirley Raines to the University community:
“Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
We are very proud of the Men’s Basketball Team of the University of Memphis for their historic appearance in the final game of the 2008 Final Four. Thank you for the thrills of the season and for the most wins of any basketball team in the NCAA! We know your victories renewed the spirit and the enthusiasm for our University and for our city.
To the student-athletes, Coach Calipari and the coaching staff, thank you for the “team” you created by playing together, for capturing the hearts of many with your unselfish play, and for the magnificent feat of competing in the final game of the Final Four. We are very proud of you!
To everyone on campus, we appreciate your extra efforts to hold the pep rallies, the watch parties, create the decorations and banners and find numerous ways to show your Tiger pride. To the UofM Alumni Association, thank you for organizing events in all of the cities along the road to the Final Four, as well as watch parties throughout the United States and several countries.
Now that we have the nation’s attention, it is our hope that future students will visit the University of Memphis on our website and in person. As Coach Cal said in numerous media interviews, he was drawn to the University because of the beauty of our campus, but he has now learned about the greatness of our programs.
Come join us to celebrate with the Tigers with the parade in downtown Memphis at 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening, culminating on the steps of the FedEx Forum. More details on the parade will be placed on our website.
Sincerely,
Shirley Raines”