Oct. 15, 2004

The University of Memphis men's soccer team will celebrate its alumni weekend beginning Friday, Oct. 22 with a banquet, alumni game and the No. 25 Tigers hosting No.25 Saint Louis.

The weekend will be kicked off with the fifth annual Tommy Smith Banquet at 6 p.m. on Friday at Lulu Grille in East Memphis. Team supporters, alumni, current players and fans are invited to the banquet, which is held in honor of former Memphis star forward Tommy Smith who passed away suddenly on March 18, 2000. Smith played for the Tigers from 1992-95, cumulating 77 games and scoring 15 goals with 11 assists.

Dr. David Dietrich will be the guest speaker at the banquet. Dietrich coached Smith in club soccer at Memphis and is currently the goalkeeper coach for Lambuth University and also an assistant professor of psychology at the university.

At the banquet, the Tommy Smith Award will be presented to the Tiger player that most exemplifies high academic standards, dedication, love of the game and sportsmanship. Past award winners are Andy Metcalf, 2003; John Reilly, 2002; Chris Schmidt, 2001; and Nick Glaser, 2000.

"This is a special night for our program, for current players and our alumni to come back and remember the importance of Tommy to our program," said head coach Richie Grant.

Tickets for the banquet are $15 per person and can be purchased at the event or reservations can be made through Julie Carothers at (901) 678-2452. Lulu Grille is located in Erinway Center on 565 Erin Drive at Poplar, one block west of Mendenhall.

The Tiger alumni will then pair off and compete in the annual alumni game at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23 at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex. The event is free to the public.

Following the alumni game, the nationally ranked Tigers will host nationally ranked Saint Louis at 7 p.m. Tickets to the game are $2 for adults and free for children under 18 and students with their ID card.