Since that time, however, the facility has taken on a new name and is now called the Billy J. Murphy Complex. The complex was renamed in honor of former Memphis head football coach and athletic director Billy J. Murphy.

The main building at Murphy Complex features a newly renovated 50-yard indoor practice field with an artificial surface. This field is used for workouts when the weather prohibits outdoor practices and is also used by the baseball team for winter workouts. Also housed in the main building is a modern, well-equipped training room, the football equipment room, the football locker room, sauna and steam rooms and film and meeting rooms, as well as locker rooms for the baseball and track teams. Located behind the main building are four outdoor football fields, used for fall and spring practices.

The new Billy J. Murphy Weight Training facility opened in January of 1993 and is now in use by all University of Memphis student-athletes. The 10,500 square-foot facility is one of the largest of its kind in the country and features the latest in strength training equipment. The weight room is equipped with 10 self-contained olympic platforms and power racks, a plyometric/medicine ball area, a complete dumbbell line (up to 150 lbs in two and a half pound increments) and a variety of hip sleds, glute-ham stations and other suppemental pieces allowing athletes from all teams to perform an unlimited variety of exercises and movements. The modern facility is also equipped with dressing and restrooms.

Nat Buring Stadium

All of the University of Memphis' home baseball games are played at Nat Buring Stadium, a 1,200-seat facility adjacent to Murphy's main building. Recently, lights and a new enclosed press box were added as well as new blue chair back seats. Nat Buring was the site of the 1993 Great Midwest Conference baseball tournament.

Located next to the baseball stadium is Murphy Track, an eight-lane, polyurethane tartan surface track used by the University of Memphis track teams for home meets. During the summer of 1991, the University of Memphis hosted the World Police and Fire Games. The track meet featured over 700 athletes from around the world. During the summer of 1992, U of M served as host of the Tennessee Sports Festival which featured athletes from around the state. Murphy Track was also the host site of the 1992 and 1993 Great Midwest Conference Track and Field Championships.

Other features of Murphy Complex include an Olympic indoor pool and golf driving range that is used by the Tiger golf teams. A 5,000 square-foot Novagrass artificial green was installed adjacent to the driving range in August of 1992. The green, which features four sand bunkers and a self-contained irrigation system, allows both men's and women's golf teams to practice their short games.

Plans are in the initial stages for further renovation of the golf practice facilities at Murphy Athletic Complex. Future projects include an elevated teeing area on the south end of the driving range to match the current tee box located on the north end of the facility. Additionally, target greens for chipping and putting and a new irrigation system are also included.

Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium

The 62,380-seat Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium is the site of all the University of Memphis home football games as well as the Liberty Bowl postseason game. The stadium has also hosted numerous concerts. The Liberty Bowl, which was built at a cost of $3.7 million by the city, was inaugurated in 1965. The stadium was renovated in 1987 at a cost of $19.5 million which included sky-suites, approximately 12,000 new seats, a new stadium club, new lighting system, new playing surface, new handicap seating area and numerous concession stands and restroom facilities for the new sections. In 1993, the Liberty Bowl received a new artificial surface for the sidelines and a fresh coat of paint for the inner walls.

The Pyramid

The University of Memphis Tiger basketball team has played for the past four seasons in The Pyramid, which seats 20,142. Highlighting its contents is one of the finest locker room facilities in all of basketball, including the NBA. This 2,200 square-foot room is equipped with a lounge and team meeting area, dressing room, training room and storage area. In the dressing room each player has his own personal vanity and locker, while the lounge area is furnished with couches, a 35-inch color television, a stereo sound system and a color pull-down projection screen. It also has an entrance way that includes a stainless steel door and a lighted U of M logo that hangs on a marble wall.

The Tigers made good use of their new home in their first season as they went on to have the nation's largest attendance increase (5,207) and were ranked eighth overall in per game attendance (16,142). The Tigers ranked 12th in the nation in attendance in 1992-93. Memphis' seven-year record at The Pyramid is 91-22 (.805).

The Pyramid sits on the bank of the Mississippi River and is visible to motorists as they cross the Tennessee-Arkansas bridge into Memphis. It was also the site of the 1993 Great Midwest Conference Men's and Women's basketball tournaments. The Pyramid has played host to the first and second round of the NCAA Tournament twice (1995 and 1997).

Echles Field

Echles Field is the home of the University of Memphis soccer team. The 900-seat facility is located adjacent to the Health Physical Education and Recreation Building and received a $20,000 facelift in the summer of 1992. The renovations include a new electronic scoreboard, concrete slabs for bleachers, and the purchase of additional seats.

Elma Roane Fieldhouse

The University of Memphis women's basketball and volleyball teams play all home events at the 3,000-seat Elma Roane Field House. Situated in the heart of U of M's campus, the Field House is equipped with locker room and training facilities for the five Lady Tiger athletic teams. The Field House received an $80,000 renovation in August of 1993. The gym itself was completely painted and entry ways were improved with lighting and a totally different design. This past summer a new floor was put down with talks of an additional 1,000 seats being added in the near future.

University of Memphis Tennis Courts

However, the men's and women's tennis teams host their opponents on the HPER courts. There are 21 laykold-surfaced courts which allow the Tiger tennis teams to host multi-team tournaments. The courts were resurfaced in 1991.

Also available at the HPER Building are two full gymnasiums which are used by women's basketball during the offseason and the women's volleyball team. Also available for the women's athletic teams are a 16-machine Nautilus weight room with numerous Lifecycles and stationary bikes, as well as a Stepmaster, and a free weight room with a Universal weight station.

The men's and women's golf teams practice at numerous courses around Memphis. The Lady Tigers practice regularly at Colonial Country Club, Farmington Country Club, Bevico Country Club, Stonebridge Golf Club, Plantation Golf Club, Big Creek Golf Club, Olive Branch Country Club, Windyke Country Club, Houston Levee Golf Club, Cordova Club and Wedgewood Golf Club.