For years, Jim and Ruth Witherington have boarded a city bus andheaded for The Pyramid.
The Witheringtons and about 25 other Tiger fans meet in theRaleigh Springs Mall parking lot before each home game. The pairhas been riding the bus with the same group of fans to watch theTigers play for the past 10 years.
Bus-mate and friend Patricia Melton said she's impressed withher fellow travelers and University of Memphis fans.
"I've never seen anything like it," Melton said. "They're a verypleasant, supportive and endearing group of people. They welcomedme with open arms."
Although Melton only went to a few home games this season, shesaid she immediately noticed the unique dynamic of the group.
"I was very impressed," Melton said. "They're all decorated in Uof M attire from head to toe. They have pompons that look likethey've been shaken for so long, and I even saw Tiger jewelry."
Along with the worn pompons and blue and gray attire, Melton wasalso treated to a unique Tigers salute before many of the homegames this season, when Mrs. Witherington, 71, began writing poemsabout the Tigers.
The associate professor at the Baptist College of Health Sciencehas written 20 poems so far, all of which praise the team for theirskills and determination on the court, as well as their victoriesover opponents.
Some poems focus on individual players and others focus on coachJohn Calipari.
"I wrote a tribute to Coach Cal, which I sent to him on hisbirthday," Mrs. Witherington said. "I write them primarily for thefolks on the bus."
Memphis Area Transit Authority provides the shuttle service toTiger fans all over Memphis for basketball and football games, saidAlison Burton, MATA marketing and customer service departmentrepresentative.
"I've worked here for the past 27 years, and we've always donethis," Burton said. "It's a community service."
The Witheringtons celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary thisValentine's Day and have been Tiger basketball fans for just aslong. Mrs. Witherington said she became a fan in the 1960s, whenshe was a graduate student at Memphis State. Back then, Wayne Yatesplayed center for Memphis before being drafted to the Lakers.
Today, her favorite player is Anthony Rice, she said.
"I like his work ethic and his attitude," Mrs. Witheringtonsaid. "He reminds me of my grandson."
Although Mrs. Witherington could never be considered afair-weather fan, she hasn't yet written a poem about any Tigerlosses.
"I really didn't write one after last week's debacle inCincinnati, but I hope this week I'll be challenged to write oneabout our victory over South Carolina," she said.
