This season the FedEx Forum could be filled with 500 loud, annoying, chanting fans. Of course, they'd all be rooting for the Tigers.
Some self-proclaimed diehard University of Memphis basketball fans are working to set up a student pep club that hopes to rival the Cameron Crazies in the near future.
"We pretty much want to take the student section and make it more uniform," said senior David Skonhovd, one of the group leaders. "Anyone and everyone is welcome to come out, but we're looking for students who will go to most all the games."
The group will meet tonight at 10:15 p.m. at South Hall.
Part of the reason for the need for such a group is the perceived lack of a consistently noisy student section in the past few years. Skonhovd said, while the students are allowed 500 seats, last year they weren't usually filled up unless there was a big game.
Currently the group is holding the interest meeting to gauge student support, but Chris James, another member, said sign-ups will be Thursday on the second floor of the University Center.
Part of the group's requirements will be attendance and some form of paying dues, to help track involvement.
"We'll do that so we can wean out the people who don't go to many of the games," Skonhovd said.
Obviously, though, this cannot all happen overnight. The group, which has received support from head coach John Calipari, plans to start small with hopes to grow. They have used every means possible to get the word out about the group, using everything from the facebook.com to word of mouth.
Tramonquell Hill, a business management major, said he first found out about the group from one of his friends.
"I think they could be pretty successful, if they work hard enough," he said.
Erin Hill, a photography major, had not heard of the group but likes the idea.
"I hadn't heard of it, but I think they will do well," she said. "Now that I've heard of it, I am pretty interested."
While many aspects of the group's future are a little cloudy right now, Skonhovd said they have received support from the athletic marketing office.
"Those people over there are just awesome people," he said. "It seems like they want this."
The group is seeking support from various sponsors, for help with things such as possible transportation, food and T-shirts. There will be another interest meeting Thursday before the Tigers hold Midnight Madness at the FedEx Forum on Friday.
And while some registered student organizations have positions like financial officers or coordinators, this group is seeking out a master of chants and a master of specialty items for games.
"This is something we just have to do," Skonhovd said. "If we don't, we might even lose our section."
This will hopefully lead to the Forum having madness more than once this season.
