March 22, 2007

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis will host the annual Tim McCage Cup this Saturday, to honor the former Memphis soccer player. The Tigers will battle against neighboring schools in the tournament and attempt to capture the title. Rhodes College, Christian Brothers University and Lambuth University will be in the hunt for the tournament trophy, along with Memphis. The tournament is free and open to the public.

The Tigers compete against Rhodes at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex at 9:00 a.m., while Lambuth and Christian Brothers square off at the same time. The winner of each game will play for the title, while the losers from each game will play in a consolation game. Memphis is scheduled to play again at 7:00 p.m. that night.

Memphis took home the trophy last year for the second straight time, and is looking for its third straight title. The Tim McCage 7v7 Tournament was hosted by the University of Memphis for five seasons, along with the Memphis Cup, where local colleges use to battle for the title during the spring season. Last year, the schools combined the two tournaments to create the Tim McCage Cup, which is an 11v11 tournament.

Tim McCage was a former Memphis soccer player, who died in an accident over spring break after his freshman year. He participated in six games during the 1990 season, and scored his only goal against Rhodes College in the Mayor's Cup in Memphis on September 20, 1990. Against Southeast Missouri State on November 26, 1990, McCage tallied an assist.

McCage was a soccer standout at Craigmount High School, where he was a four-year letterman in soccer, and was a three year captain for the Chiefs. Throughout his career at Craigmount, he scored 59 goals and had 40 assists. He was the CHS Most Valuable Player in 1988 and the Most Valuable Offensive Player in 1989. McCage was a member of the All-District 17 team in 1989, and was the recipient of the Peter Codosi Sportsmanship Award at the Germantown Soccer Invitational in 1989.

Memphis enters the tournament 1-1 in spring competition, tying with Tennessee U 23, 1-1, in February and losing 3-2 against Tennessee U 23 in a rematch just last week. After completion of the tournament, the Tigers will host Colaiste Ide on Wednesday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex. Following that game, Memphis will hold its annual silent auction and banquet on Thursday at South Campus. Memphis will conclude the spring season with a trip to Atlanta on Saturday, April 14 to take on the Atlanta Silverbacks at 11:00 a.m.