May 4, 2007

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Tiger batboy Stan Bronson, Jr. is known as a living legend in Tiger baseball, but now holds a place in history as the "MOST DURABLE BATBOY" ever, as approved by the Guinness World Records. Bronson, who has been the University of Memphis' baseball batboy for over 49 years, will be honored by the University's athletic department and presented the official Guinness World Records certificate in a pre-game ceremony on Sat., May 5 at 4 p.m.

Bronson, 78, came to the University of Memphis (then Memphis State University) in the 1958 season and has served as the program's batboy since--a span of 49 years, two months and 20 days. During Bronson's tenure as the batboy, Memphis has played approximately 2,187 games. Every time a Tiger home game reaches the middle the eight inning, it is Bronson time in the spotlight. He makes his way to home plate where he acknowledges the Tiger faithful who have made it out to game. Bronson attends nearly every practice for both the Tiger football and baseball teams and makes cameo appearances at Lady Tiger basketball games and volleyball matches. Bronson will be included in the 2008 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records.

Spearheaded by Tiger booster Beverley Dunn, the record-setting process came about over a year ago and was aided by yearly University of Memphis baseball media guides, as well as feature productions by Shirley Downing of the Commercial Appeal and Rob Petrone of WPTY/WLMT-TV.