Tigers defended their "dens" Monday with themed decorations forthe University of Memphis 2003 Football Homecoming.
"We had participants calling us up to sign up until the lastminute," said Jamica Clements, RHA vice president and competitionjudge.
University offices competed in a campus-wide office decoratingcompetition and winners will be announced later this week.Decorations ranged from the elaborate to the more traditionalpom-poms and steamers.
The Residence Hall Association prompted the enthusiastic turnoutof over 30 participants Tuesday, last year only three officesparticipated, said Charles Daniel Resident Hall Associationpresident.
This year marks the second annual Homecoming Office DecorationContest themed "Defenders of the Den." Decorated offices may beviewed through Homecoming week, which ends Saturday when the Tigersfaces off against University of Alabama-Birmingham.
The University College office decorating team, in BristerLibrary, started planning their competition entry last week, saidJennifer Joyner, University College dean's assistant. The officeentrance has been transformed to resemble an African jungle. LargeTiger paws line the library hallway leading to the door. Visitorsare greeted by jungle sounds, like hooting owls, and simulated fogsurrounding the massive stone-like arch framing the "den."
"Everyone chipped in with the decorating," said Joyner.
The 15-member staff, including Dean Lattimore, woretiger-spotted ties to complete the effect. Joyner and Karen Miller,graduate analyst, were seated on the floor outside the denwelcoming judges and office visitors.
"We scoped out the competition and I think our entry is by farthe most creative," Miller said.
Next door in Wilder Tower, the banner over UndergraduateAcademic Services office door read, "Welcome to Our Den."
In keeping with a traditional Homecoming theme office workersinvited former U of M offensive tackle, Decorye Hampton as a"real-life decoration." The team's decorations included pictures ofother Tigers from the past, said Jacqueline Faulkner, academicstatus and retention counselor.
"That's a part of what homecoming is all about - the history oftraditions set by students and teams (that have come) before,"Faulkner said.
In addition to the many pictures of U of M football teams liningthe office walls, like the only undefeated team of 1963, workersmanaged to find original copies of The Desoto, The University'syearbook. Some copies dated back to the 1950s.
Across campus in the Meeman Journalism Building offices workersfor the Teen Appeal, Memphis's only city-wide high schoolnewspaper, were also busy defending their "den."
Teen Appeal coordinators Diane Calhoun and Jara Sturdivant hadhelp from a few teen-reporters in getting their decorations up andready for judging.
Krishina Wiley, Raleigh-Egypt senior and Elizabeth Terry,Wooddale High junior helped advisors hang blue and white streamersand garland from the ceiling and door.
Competition judges will judge the participating offices on howthey carry out the theme, use U of M accessories, decorate theoffice entrances, and originality.
"We have seen a lot of enthusiasm and school spirit with thisyear's contest," said Clements. " It's going to be a harddecision."
