Mississippi drivers have a plethora of choices when it comes to license plates. Options range from a Dale Earnhardt - either junior or senior - to a speckled trout. But now Magnolia State residents will have the opportunity to show off their support for The University of Memphis with a U of M license plate.
The plate marks the first ever out of state license plate to be sold in Mississippi.
The plate features the ubiquitous Memphis Tiger leaping over the M with his paws outstretched and the words "The University of Memphis" printed under the tag number.
In addition to the usual licensing fees, the specialty plate costs $51. According to John Stacy, a member of the Highland Hundred and one of the proponents of the tag, supporters are working on The University receiving a portion of the fees. Plates for public Mississippi universities receive $32.50 of the $51 fee.
"It's been quite a task getting this done," Stacy said.
He said he came in at the end of the project with Highland Hundred members Harold Alexander, Rick Kale and Ed Henderson.
Alexander said he came up with the idea of the tag about two years ago in October, but it is very early in the process of diverting some of the funds raised by the tag to The University.
"I hope The University gets a taste of the money," Alexander said. "Dr. Raines can use it however she sees fit."
Alexander, a 1971 graduate of The University, said the process could take more than a year because the Mississippi legislature would have to pass a bill to allow The U of M to receive the funds, but it does not meet again until early next year.
"I have every confidence that it will happen, but it's a little early in the process," Alexander said.
Stacy, a 2002 graduate of The University said, "It's not just about the athletics. It's about raising the visibility of our school."
He said the tag might help with academic recruiting in Mississippi, especially in counties with out-of-state tuition waivers.
Lynn Shaw of the Marshall County, Miss., tax collectors office said the office received a few pre-ordered plates but hadn't had any walk-in requests for the plate.
Tammy Rhoda, a supervisor in the DeSoto County tax collectors office, said she was one of two employees at the license plate distribution party at John Daly's Restaurant and Bar on July 7.
She said they gave out about 120 pre-ordered plates.
"I think once people see it in the paper, we'll get more orders," Rhoda said.
According to Rhoda, only a few people have ordered the plates from her office since then.
Rhoda said that people could be waiting for their tag renewals to come up instead of paying additional fees.
Kathy Waterbury, communications director for the Mississippi Tax Commission, said the plates are now available to the public at any one of the 82 Mississippi county tax collectors offices. All new plates must be ordered and then will be mailed to the recipient within 15 business days.
"Several other universities, three or four, have shown interest in Mississippi plates," Waterbury said.
Among the universities are Auburn University in Alabama and Louisiana State University.
"The University of Memphis was the first to get theirs," Waterbury said.
Jennifer Rodrigues, athletic media relations director, said the plate was a great tribute to Tiger fans and their persistence.
"I already saw one in the parking lot and it looks great," Rodrigues said.
It is possible that the tag Rodrigues saw belongs to Jennifer Stacy, University of Memphis student and daughter of John Stacy. She said a lot of her friends really like the tag because it is designed differently than Tennessee's U of M plate.
"I'm really glad I have it," said Stacy of her new plate. "Being a resident of Mississippi and going to school here, it's really neat. It's not just a bumper sticker - it's on the license plate."
