A greener, roomier space to socialize, picnic and enjoy cold beverages before games is right around the corner for Tiger football fans.
Renovations to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium's entrance will be complete by the beginning of football season, including newly-dubbed "Tiger Lane," a $15 million greenway funded by the city running from East Parkway to the stadium, 1,300 feet long and 160 feet wide.
Bill Lansden, associate athletic directorfor development at The University ofMemphis, said renovating the stadium'sentrance would make it more accessible andattractive, increasing tailgating activities.
"It's going to enhance the game-dayatmosphere," he said. "Fans, families andkids can socialize and kids can play before each of our games. There will be plenty of room to grill burgers and throw Frisbees. We'll have a lot more people tailgating before games."
The project, in the works for one year now, was approved last month and should be complete by Sept. 1, just in time for the first home game Sept. 18 against the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders.
"One of the challenges we've always had is basically that one large area was all concrete," Lansden said. "Now the city is creating a grassy area where fans can tailgate. It'll feel like a normal college atmosphere."
Former Tigers player and assistant to the athletic director at The U of M Lish Trice said he expects the team's fan base andgame rituals to grow along with the greenway.
"It's going to be fantastic," he said. "(The team has) been walking through the Coliseum and stadium, so now we can start anew tradition with Tiger Lane, which will be second to none."
Before games, fans can line the greenway, surrounding the players as they march to the field, said Tom Fristick, presidentof Highland Hundred, the official booster club for The U of M Tigers.
"The team will walk through the promenade with fans cheering them on," he said. "Theatmosphere will be tremendous."
Fristick said the Highland Hundred supported the renovations by purchasing 550 soon to be created parking spaces from the city, which will be sold exclusively to members at $175 per space each season.
Memphis City Councilman and former Highland Hundred President Bill Boyd said the growing lack of parking spaces, along with beautifying the stadium, sparked the decision to renovate the arena.
"I'm a long-time, loyal Tiger fan," he said. "Part of my role was to convince other city council members to approve renovations."
The project also includes locker room improvements and adding space near the ticket area, to decrease crowding afterfans buy tickets, Boyd said.
"The fairground was a big eyesore as it was," he said. "Now it'll be well lit and Tiger players can walk through the lane with fans yelling and cheering them on."
The renovation plan also should also improve the flow of traffic in and around the Liberty Bowl.
"We're on a fast, fast track to get that thing complete," Boyd said. "Everything's on goal and we're full speed ahead."
