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Memphis, TN
by Bill Sattler and Pat Davis Memphis, TN is home to two very famous kings, Elvis Presley – the king of Rock and Roll - and B.B. King, the king of the blues. Elvis’ mansion, Graceland, is one of the most visited private homes in America while B.B. King’s, a restaurant owned by B.B. himself, sits as the anchor of world famous Beale Street. Sports in Memphis include the Memphis Grizzlies, the professional basketball team that moved from Vancouver in 2001, now being run by former basketball star Jerry West, and the Memphis Redbirds, AAA farm team for the St. Louis Cardinals. The University of Memphis men’s basketball team won the NIT national championship last year under the direction of coach John Calipari mentoring freshman Dajuan Wagner who turned pro before his sophomore year. The University of Memphis Tigers play in ‘the Pyramid’ – the world’s second largest pyramid. Memphis is also home to the Federal Express St. Jude’s golf tournament. Memphis is a great backdrop for movies as proven in such films as John Grisham’s ‘The Firm’ and is also home to Sun Records – where Elvis got his start. Memphis also is the home of the famous St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, where clinical research pays all the bills for all patients, though requirements to get in are to be terminally ill with no standard form of treatment available. Memphis International Airport is the busiest ‘night’ airport in the world, serving the world headquarters for Federal Express, as well as being a huge terminal for UPS (UPS has their own runway). Memphis also has Mud Island, which is an exact replica of the Mississippi River from Canada down to the Gulf of Mexico. Graceland
3754 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116, 1-800-238-2000
Mention Memphis in Paris, Beijing, or Budapest and what comes to mind? Elvis Presley, of course. The King is more connected with his hometown than most celebrities, and his home, Graceland, brings more visitors to Memphis from all over the world than any other single attraction in the area. In fact, Graceland is the second most visited home in the U.S. after the White House. More than 700,000 people come every year to this stately manor located just south of the city in what used to be one of the best residential areas, now named for its most prominent attraction. The Presley Foundation has expanded the Graceland complex to include the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum, an exhibit of his airplanes, a gift shop with an impressive variety of Elvis souvenirs, and three restaurants. Hotels and motels to house the fans that come to pay homage have largely overtaken the surrounding area. The newly renovated Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel taken over by the Presley Foundation is worth a visit just to see the cocktail lounge; decorated in a style Elvis would have loved Mud Island
Mud Island appeared in the middle of the Mississippi River around 1900-1910. It has been transformed into a complex of attractions. The River Walk is a miniature version of the Mississippi: you can walk beside this model, tracing the twists and turns of the river until it empties into a huge public swimming pool! The Mississippi River Museum focuses on the shipping of cotton on the river and the musical history made in cities along the river, from New Orleans Jazz to Memphis Blues and Elvis. The Memphis Belle, a WWII airplane, is located here, with a documentary movie and guided tours for history buffs. The amphitheater on the island hosts concerts in the summer. To get there, ride the monorail, featured in the Tom Cruise movie The Firm.
Admission to the island and museum: $8 adults, $6 seniors and children under 12. Beale Street
One of America's most famous streets where W.C. Handy first penned the Blues music of the Mississippi Delta. It is located downtown stretching several blocks east of the river bluffs. Nightclubs and restaurants offer a variety of food and live music including traditional Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Jazz, and Rock'n'Roll. Shops and boutiques throughout the district provide visitors with the opportunity to purchase souvenirs, t-shirts, memorabilia, and novelties. The world-famous street also features a statue of W.C. Handy, a musical "Walk of Fame," and Church Park, built by the South's first Black millionaire, Robert Church. Visit A. Schwab's Dry Goods Store at 163 Beale. A mainstay on the street since 1876, Schwab's stocks everything from voodoo potions to 99-cent neckties. Also check out the Beale Street Police Substation and Museum to see relics from old time police days. Memphis Express (PDL)
Memphis Mercury (W-League) Mike Rose Soccer Complex Stadium
9000 East Shelby Drive
The main stadium is part of a 17-lighted field facility with fishing, concessions and restrooms. The complex is owned by Shelby County and operated by a private organization. Capacity: 5000 Colors:
Express: home – white & purple
Away – black, gray, & purple
Mercury: home – white, gray, & light blue
Away: medium blue, gray, & white Honors: Memphis Express
· 2002 – Advanced to 2nd round of Lamar Hunt Open Cup.
· 2002 – Midsouth division champions Honors: Memphis Mercury
· 2001 W-2 league runners up
· 2001 W-2 organization of the year
· 2002 Midwest division 2nd place Brief History of Soccer in Memphis
Memphis may be known for Elvis, Beale Street (birth place of the blues), and the Grizzles but soccer is definitely alive and well. Memphis is home to Kyle Rote Jr., America’s first noticeable national player, who now owns and operates a Sports Agency. Youth soccer started to really kick into high gear in Memphis around the late 1970s and early 1980s with the Red Devils Soccer Club (Now the Fury Soccer Club), the River City Soccer Club (later called the Kickers), and the North Shelby Soccer Federation (Called the Rangers – named after Glasgow Rangers of Scotland). A few people were instrumental in getting the City of Memphis to build a soccer field complex named May Soccer Fields in East Memphis. It took years for this endeavor to come to fruition but nine fields, of which four are lighted with concessions and restrooms, was completed in the mid 80s. The City of Collierville (Southeast Memphis/Shelby County) then started a club named The Lobos. Players in general only played fall competitive games and training until 1990 when Memphis Futbol Club was born by Richard Bute, the Director of Coaching at the Fury Soccer Club, along with Jack Schenkel, JD Walker, and Toni Carbognani. These men were all ex-professional and ex-collegiate coaches. They wanted to get players involved year round and be dedicated to the game while offering skill training as well as top competitive tournaments to become a standard for Memphis youth soccer. One of the original MFC teams (there were two), the ‘76 team, has 8 to 10 of its original starting 11 currently or formerly played professional soccer either in the United States or internationally. In the same time period Memphis had a professional team, the Memphis Rogues (NASL). The Rogues were renamed the Storm, the Jackals, and finally back to the Rogues again by the mid 1990s. Jack Schenkel took over a second year program at a new local high school (Houston) and with only 10th and 11th grades won 2 consecutive state championships. Jack moved over to Christian Brothers University the following year. Since 1990 one or more Memphis high schools has won the Tennessee State Secondary Athletic Association boys or girls State Championship. Houston High, in only 10 years of playing in boys’ varsity soccer has 5 of those state titles and two National high school titles. Germantown High girls’ varsity soccer team has won a state championship in 3 of the last 4 years and the National title one of those years. The Germantown/Houston yearly varsity Boys & Girls soccer game draws over 500 people. During the early 90s it was evident that youth soccer in West Tennessee needed a premier place to play competitive league and tournament games. John Talley took that dream through many city and county officials and worked with local clubs, parents, and potential sponsors to build a first class facility. In 1998 the Mike Rose Soccer Complex was officially opened with 16 full sized lighted fields, restrooms, and a private Outback Sports Sponsor. In August 2001 the main stadium was opened with the two local colleges (University of Memphis & Christian Brothers University) playing the inaugural game. John Talley passed away in June of 2002 but his dream lives on at the complex with his wife Kim as the General Manager. The future holds even higher aspirations for the Mike Rose Soccer Complex to add a dormitory for men and women, hotel, restaurant, and indoor facility with a soccer store and physical rehab center. The complex has already hosted a charity MLS Game, regionals, and has verbal commitments for numerous other events/games. In 2001 three businessmen (Doug Marchant, Jeff Webb & John Synder) started a women’s high level soccer team in the United Soccer Leagues’ W-League, the Memphis Mercury, coached by Scott Spencer, a local ex-professional player and Director of Player Development for the Fury. The Mercury showed the league that a first year team could make it all the way to the championship game.
In 2002 the same three businessmen expanded their endeavor and added a men’s
Premier Development League USL team, the Memphis Express. Toni Carbognani was selected to coach the Express with 22 of the 25 rostered players coming out of the local Memphis area. Toni was born in Argentina and played professional soccer there before finally ending up in the NASL with the New York Cosmos and then the Memphis Rogues.
In their first year the Express won their Mid-South Divisional title but lost in the PDL Southern Conference playoffs. Today Memphis has several professional players in foreign countries, MLS, WUSA,
W-League, A-League, Professional Indoor League, PDL, Regional Teams, and National Teams (USA, Mexico, Ireland, Australia). There are a lot of men and women playing in colleges and universities all over the country from Div.1 through NAIA. The high schools and local clubs continue to produce fine skilled experienced players today and in the future. Some of our recent players: Johnny Walker – Chile, Div.1 - Universidad Catolica, Kendyl Michner – Mexico National Team, Melanie Wilson-WUSA, Cindy Parlow- US National, Olympic Team, and WUSA, Tony Kuhn- MLS & A-League, Richard Mulrooney - US National Team & MLS, Ross Paule - MLS, Carey Talley- MLS, Carl Schmitt-A-League and Indoor Professional League, Chris Michner- A-League, Russel Cain- A-League, Brian Covey- A-League. Directions:
From Jackson MS, take I55 North to I240 West, exit onto hwy 385 (Nonconnah Expressway) to Forest Hill Irene exit (appx 6 miles), turn right and then immediate right into the facility. From Arkansas, take I55 over the Mississippi River, go straight at the I55/I240 intersection onto I240 East and then follow the Jackson directions.
From Nashville, come in I40 to I240 South, then exit onto hwy 385 East and follow the above directions. Tickets:
$8 adults, $6 under 14 Refreshers:
They have hot dogs, corn dogs, burgers, chicken fries, popcorn, pretzels, soda, lemonade, water and beer for sale at 2 to 3 concession stands around the stadium. Club Merchandise:
Shirts and hats available at the games at the merchandise booth. Fan Culture:
Most of the fans are the children of the local competitive soccer leagues (Fury, MFC and West Tennessee, and Collierville) as well as other local soccer fans of all ages. At this time there are no official fan clubs but rumors are that some are in the works for 2003. The Memphis Mercury will have a mascot for the 2003 season. The mascot made its debut in late 2002 (the playoffs actually) and was met with fan approval and will return for the entire 2003 home season. On the Web:
www.soccermemphis.com is the official website for the Memphis Mercury and Memphis Express
www.memphisexpress.net is a fan website for the Memphis Express
www.memphismercury.com is a fan website for the Memphis Mercury
www.mikerosesoccercomplex.com is the website for the soccer stadium and tournament information, schedules and events.
www.gscfury.com is the official website of the Germantown Fury Soccer Club
www.memphisfc.com is the official website of the Memphis Futbol Club
www.collierville-soccer.org is the official website for the Collierville Lobos
www.dragonsoccer.com is the official website for the West Tennessee Futbol Club
www.memphissoccer.com is the official website for the Greater Memphis Soccer Association. Print Coverage:
The Commercial Appeal (www.gomemphis.com) is the Memphis daily newspaper and features periodic coverage soccer in the Memphis area. Around Town Bars & Pubs
The Memphis USL soccer teams in Memphis have been known to hang out at the following places after the games. For a more detailed listing of nightlife in Memphis visit http://www.livefrommemphis.com Jillian’s
150 Peabody Place
901.543.8800
The 2002 Memphis Express sometimes would head on out to Jillian’s at Peabody Place after the matches. Jillian’s is an entertainment wonderland that is unbelievable. Tons of huge TVs showing sporting events, 3 floors of everything from live bands, pool, video games, dancing and a bowling alley. Hops Restaurant and Brewery
7065 Winchester Rd
901-752-1330
The 2001 Memphis Mercury used to make their selves available at Hops after the games for some autograph signing. Hops features great food and at least 4 kinds of home brewed beer, with happy hour specials. Restaurants
The following restaurants are proud supporters of Mike Rose Soccer Complex and soccer in the Memphis area: Grisanti’s Bol a Pasta
Grisanti’s is delicious Italian food at a reasonable price. With three locations in the East Memphis area there is always one nearby. One location is in the Shady Grove Embassy Suites listed below – note that they are always very busy and reservations are pretty much mandatory. A second location is about 3 miles from Mike Rose Soccer Complex and the third location is north towards the Wolfchase Mall area. Grisanti’s offers take out service, delivery to Germantown, Cordova and Collierville, call ahead seating, and full bar service, as well as bulk food for private parties and social meetings. 1022 S. Shady Grove, 901-761-9462 – see Embassy Suites below
2200 N. Germantown Parkway, 901-384-7988
3160 Village Shops Dr, 901-757-4509 – exit MRSC North, past Winchester light, past Park Ave light, then 1/5 mile then right on Village Shops drive, then look to the right PF Changs China Bistro
PF Changs is known around the country for fine dining with high quality, fresh dishes. The Memphis location is no exception. This restaurant is very busy so we would recommend calling ahead. As it is located just down the street from the Shady Grove hotels listed below, it would be a great alternative to Grisanti’s if you want Chinese rather than Italian. Park Place Center, 1181 Ridgeway Road, 901-818-3889. Exit Embassy or Hampton (see below) taking a left on Shady Grove. At Poplar, Shady Grove renames to Ridgeway. South on Ridgeway, under the RR bridge, past Park Ave. light and look on your right. Pig-N-Whistle
Memphis is arguably the BBQ capital of the world and this is arguably some of the best BBQ in Memphis. Only six minutes away from Mike Rose, they have a buffet or full menu, and private rooms for your team yet still offer separate checks. Featuring slow cooked ribs, pulled pork, fried green tomatoes and southern fried catfish. 7144 Winchester, 901-754-7704 – turn left out of MRSC onto Forest Hill Irene, under the highway then to the first light, about a mile. Take a left on Winchester and go about 5 miles.
2740 Bartlett Road, 901-386-8391
Hotels & Accommodation
Mike Rose Soccer Complex has an arrangement with six hotels that are conveniently located within 10 miles to the complex. These hotels all feature a free room for the coach with minimum of 10 player rooms reserved, and they feature a program called S.O.C.C.E.R and offer extra services to soccer teams. There is a form on http://www.mikerosesoccercomplex.com that helps you pick the tournament you are competing and helps you find a hotel room.
Courtyard by Marriott – Lenox Park, Rate: $79.00
3076 Kirby Parkway, Memphis TN 38115 – (901) 365-6400 or 1-800-321-2211
Directions from Airport: I-240 East to Highway 385 (Nonconnah Parkway) to Kirby (2nd exit). South on Kirby Parkway and hotel is on your left hand side at the first light.
Directions from Hotel to Mike Rose: Exit hotel North, then turn right on 385, then 4th exit (Forest Hill Irene), turn right, then another right onto Cindy Parlow Drive.
Web link to more information: http://www.mikerosesoccercomplex.com/ctydlen.html Embassy Suites – Shady Grove, Rate: $105.00
1022 South Shady Grove, Memphis TN 38120 – (901) 684-1777 or 1-800-EMB-ASSY
Directions from Airport: I-240 East to Poplar Avenue East Exit. Follow Poplar Avenue East to Shady Grove. Turn Left onto Shady Grove and hotel is on the right hand side. Directions from hotel to Mike Rose: Exit hotel turning left onto Shady Grove. At Poplar, Shady Grove renames to Ridgeway. Follow Ridgeway South to Highway 385 East. Go 5 exits to Forest Hill Irene, exit on Forest Hill to the right, then an immediate right onto Cindy Parlow drive. Web link to more information: http://www.mikerosesoccercomplex.com/emb.html Hampton Inn & Suites, Shady Grove, Rate: $79.00 (King Suites $99.00)
962 S. Shady Grove, Memphis TN 38120 – (901) 762-0056 or 1-800-HAMPTON
Directions from Airport: I-240 East to Poplar Avenue East Exit. Follow Poplar Avenue East to Shady Grove. Turn Left onto Shady Grove and hotel is on the right hand side. Directions from hotel to Mike Rose: Exit hotel turning left onto Shady Grove. At Poplar, Shady Grove renames to Ridgeway. Follow Ridgeway South to Highway 385 East. Go 5 exits to Forest Hill Irene, exit on Forest Hill to the right, then an immediate right onto Cindy Parlow drive. Web link to more information: http://www.mikerosesoccercomplex.com/hamptonsg.html Holiday Inn Select East, Rate: $79.00
5795 Poplar Avenue, Memphis TN 38119 – (901) 682-7881 or 1-800-465-4329
Directions from Airport: I-240 East to the Poplar East exit. Immediately get into the left lane to loop around and head west on Poplar Avenue. Hotel is one block on your left hand side. Directions from hotel to airport: Exit hotel left on poplar, stay in left land to exit to I-240 South. Stay in right lane and exit to Highway 385, then 6 exits to Forest Hill Irene, exit to the right and then another right onto Cindy Parlow drive. Web link to more info: http://www.mikerosesoccercomplex.com/holidayeast.html Memphis Marriott East, Rate: $79.00
2625 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Memphis TN 38118 – (901) 362-6200 or 1-800-228-9290
Directions from Airport: I-240 East to exit 18 (Perkins Road). Go South on Perkins Road to first light & turn left on Showcase Blvd. Hotel is on the left. Directions from hotel to Mike Rose: Exit hotel onto Showcase Blvd, right on Perkins, then right on I-24, exit on Highway 385 then 6th exit – Forest Hill Irene. Take a right onto Forest Hill Irene then another right on Cindy Parlow drive. Web link to more info: http://www.mikerosesoccercomplex.com/marriotteast.html Whispering Woods, Rate: $79.99
11200 East Goodman Road, Olive Branch, MS 38654
Directions from Airport: I-240 East to Highway 385, 5 exits to Hacks Cross road. Turn right on Hacks Cross, then 7 miles, hotel is on the left. Directions from hotel to Mike Rose: Turn right out of hotel on to Hacks Cross going north. 7 miles to Highway 385 turn right (East) on 385 and then exit next exit, turn right onto Forest Hill Irene, then right on Cindy Parlow drive. Airlines and Rental Cars
Memphis Soccer is fortunate to have discounts available on transportation to and within Memphis as the following companies give discounts to people going to events at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex. Northwest Airlines gives a 5% to 10% discount to people or groups of people flying to Memphis for an event at Mike Rose Soccer Complex. When calling for reservations use the code NSCPM to receive your discount. Budget Car Rentals offers special rates by using the code SOCCER for weekday rentals and SOCCEREM for weekend rentals. Call 1-800-879-1227 or visit this promotion on the web @ http://www.mikerosesoccercomplex.com/budget.html for more details. Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Enterprise also supports the SOCCER discount (mention when calling), they pick up and deliver at many locations, the airport location is at 1-800-rentacar. Back to the front page
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