Calkins: Elegy for TOM III, the last real Memphis Tiger
University of Memphis mascot TOM III, seen here in September 2019, is to be the last of his kind. There will be no TOM IV. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian file)
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.
The University of Memphis said the tradition of having a live tiger at games “has come to an end.” It seems like the right decision, but it’s still a sad moment for Memphians.
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TOM III Memphis Tigers Live mascot college football Scott Forman Memphis Zoo Subscriber OnlyWe’re in the final countdown of 2025. ⌛🪩🎉
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