March 23, 2006

For Immediate Release
Contact: Brandon Kolditz
wkolditz@memphis.edu, (901) 678-2444

MEMPHIS - Battling against area collegiate soccer programs, the University of Memphis men's soccer team will attempt to capture the Tim McCage Cup on Saturday in spring exhibition action. The Tigers will compete against Christian Brothers University, Rhodes College and Lambuth University for the tournament trophy. The event is free to the public.

Memphis will host CBU at Echles Field at 9 a.m. while Rhodes hosts Lambuth at the same time at Rhodes Field. The winner of the morning game will then meet in the championship at the Mike Rose Soccer Stadium at 6 p.m. The losers will play in a consolation game at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex during the same time.

In previous years, local colleges competed for the Memphis Cup in the spring. Last year the Tigers won the fifth-annual Memphis Cup Tournament at Rhodes College. For the past five seasons, the U of M has also hosted an annual Tim McCage 7v7 Tournament, a tournament the Tigers also won last year. This spring the schools have combined the two tournaments to create the Tim McCage Cup.

"We are proud to continue the tradition of having an event named in the honor of Tim McCage," said Memphis head coach Richie Grant. "It is nice to have his name recognized among the local colleges in this tournament."

Tim McCage was a former Memphis Tiger soccer player who saw action in six games during the 1990 season. McCage scored his only collegiate goal against Rhodes College in the Mayor's Cup in Memphis on September 20, 1990. McCage also had an assist against Southeast Missouri State on November 26, 1990. He died in an accident during spring break after his freshman season.

"Although he was only with us for one season, Tim McCage will always be a part of Memphis soccer," said Chris Bartels, who coached McCage at Memphis. "He is greatly missed, but the impact of his life and his death will be felt for years to come."

McCage was a four-year letterman in soccer at Craigmount. He was named the captain of the Chiefs for three years. During his career, he scored 59 goals and had 40 assists. He was the CHS Most Valuable Player in 1988 and the Most Valuable Offensive Player in 1989. In 1989 he was a member of the All-District 17 team. He was the first recipient of the Peter Cordosi Sportsmanship Award at the Germantown Soccer Invitational in 1989.

The Tigers are 1-1 in spring competition having lost to FC Dallas of the MLS, 0-2, and beating Portmarnock, 2-0. After the Tim McCage Cup, the Tigers will host Colaiste Ide on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Mike Rose Stadium. The U of M will then hold its annual silent auction on Thursday at South Campus at 7 p.m. Memphis will close its spring schedule on Sunday, April 2 with an exhibition against the Kansas City Wizards of the MLS in Kansas City, Mo., at 10 a.m.