University of Memphis students looking to have a good time this Saturday night need to travel no further than the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, now known as the Asylum.
What more could one ask for in an evening out on the town then cold beer, smash-mouth football, and half-naked women?
The Xtreme Football League season is well underway.
The Memphis Maniax first home game last Sunday had an attendance of over 30,000 people.
It is speculated that the turnout could have been higher if it wasn't for the cold, rainy weather.
"It was terrific," said Maniax General Manager, Steve Ehrhart. "People were having a real night of entertainment."
Many U of M students went to the game last Sunday despite the uncomfortable weather. These students attended the game for various reasons.
"I miss having football," Scott Davidson, undecided sophomore said. "I didn't know football could be so trashy, but trashy is fun in the off-season."
Many of the fans tried to contribute to the trashy theme by literally throwing trash on the field in the third quarter.
Some thought the behavior to be tacky, while others found it to be exciting.
"It was really cool," senior public relations major, Adam Badrian said. "It brought out the WWF and the XFL."
Adrian purchased season tickets about three weeks before the season started.
He said one of the reasons he bought the season passes was because they were so reasonably priced.
Tickets for individual games are $15, $20 and $25. Season tickets are still available for $80 and $100.
Discounted rates are also available for groups of over 15 people.
If not just for love of the XFL, civic pride could be another reason for students to attend Maniax games.
Thirteen alumni of The U of M are a part of the Maniax organization, including head coach Kippy Brown and U of M football record-breaker, Damien Dodson.
"It's quite a statement about our program - having eight players from the University of Memphis," Maniax Director of Public Relations, Tim Clodjeaux said.
Despite the disappointing 25-3 loss in last Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Outlaws, most who attended the game said they would return to the Asylum for another XFL experience.
Head Coach Kippy Brown said the upcoming game on Saturday against the San Francisco Demons will not be a repeat of the Maniax performance on Sunday.
"I think our guys have had a little bit of a wake-up call," Brown said. "I'm very confident our guys will bounce back."
With their hometown crowd behind them, the Maniax take to the field at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Ehrart said he hopes U of M students will show up to support the Maniax.
"We invite all of The University of Memphis students to come out," said Ehrart. "It's a great way to spend a Saturday night of entertainment."
Anyone interested in purchasing discounted group tickets can call Drew Bard.
Individual game day tickets can be purchased at the XFL ticket office, or can be bought online at www.xflmemphismaniax.com.
