Coach Cal Countdown: Nine memorable stories for nine memorable years of Calipari coaching the Tigers
The city of Memphis is preparing to celebrate John Calipari and his former Tigers as part of the Hoops for St. Jude Tip Off Classic preseason game. (Photo illustration by Kelsey Bowen/The Daily Memphian)
On Dec. 22, 2007, John Calipari’s Memphis Tigers defeated No. 5 Georgetown at FedExForum before a crowd of 18,864.
The audience was even larger because Memphis officials squeezed in a few extra chairs for the morning tip.
Can you imagine?
FedExForum wasn’t big enough back then?
Not big enough to hold the craziness, the brilliance and the joy.
This is an excerpt of this story. To read more, please click here and subscribe.
Topics
Memphis Tigers Basketball John Calipari 2025 Hoops for St. Jude Tip Off ClassicGeoff Calkins on demand
Never miss an article. Sign up to receive Geoff Calkins' stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Geoff Calkins
Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. He is host of "The Geoff Calkins Show" from 9-11 a.m. M-F on 92.9 FM. Calkins has been named the best sports columnist in the country five times by the Associated Press sports editors, but still figures his best columns are about the people who make Memphis what it is.
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.