Memphis State University - DeSoto Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

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The MSU Tiger (a threatened species?) leads the cheers at a surprise pep rally. HNUHimnBEOi

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w, ear Blue for MSU — it started out as a catchy slogan and ended up in the revamping of Memphis State ' s traditional view of student activities and spirit. For the first time the existence of the Tjger mascot was seriously threat- ened as the Steamers gathered support among students. Steamers — first coined unsuc- cessfully two years ago — was the leading suggestion for a name change for the MSU athletic teams because of its river connotations. It surprised even its strongest pro- ponents with wide-spread accept- ance. A mock steamboat was built to be displayed at games to support the steamship whistle donated for the football season. The steam- boat was painted, of course, bright blue. New blue and white band uniforms arrived for the MSU-UT football game, where blue flags outnumbered orange pompoms. It was a good start and plan- ning began for a more thorough campaign next season. The Tiger ' s days seemed numbered by the Steamers as Memphis State moved more and more towards a river-oriented program.

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i Rita Garvey dances to Shaft at homecoming halftime, one of the few activities left untouched by the changes made this year. There were many changes in the making. The future of Home- coming Queen elections threat- ened to go the way of displays — into oblivion. The traditional concert gave way to a program that was cancelled for lack of interest. Memphis State reached the point many large schools have already passed — the point of re- evaluating long standing tradition and following instead more mod- ern trends. Joy Bourne, Barbara Wright and Dukie Whittington, candidates for Homecoming Queen, await the coronation ceremony. 11