You can always feel the change in the air about this time of the year. There is an element of  excitement as we start to shift from the heat of the summer to the ever so slightly cooling trend you start to feel in the wind…and then there are the fight songs that you can hear blowing in the air if you listen closely enough on a Saturday afternoon. That’s right – it’s football season. And it’s also about to be basketball season…and baseball season is winding down…and then hockey season is about to break too. Now that I think about it, I think we should change to name of the season from Fall to Ball considering how much is going on in the wide world of sports this time of the year. So…put on your favorite team jersey and check out some of these sporting events around Memphis…

Football

University of Memphis Tiger football is turning the season around with their confidence building win over Nicholl’s State on Sept. 13th with a 31-10 win at the Liberty Bowl. Tailgating goes all blue on Saturday afternoons when the Tigers play home games at the Liberty Bowl. Check out the entire schedule at gotigersgo.com.

Here are a couple of staple tailgating tips:

• Pack key items that everyone forgets. Chairs for the older folks, corkscrews, bottle openers, tons of paper towels, and garbage bags are some things that are easy to forget and are very helpful.
  
• Pack toys: A football to toss around, a Frisbee or even a whiffle ball and bat can all be great fun, but the newest tailgating game on the scene, corn toss!
  

Basketball

Well, if you have ever been to Memphis, ever heard of Memphis or are planning to come to Memphis you probably already know that this is a basketball town. We love some round ball alright and the season is about to tip off. The fun thing about basketball in this town is that we have both the Grizzlies AND the Tigers to root for. And what is even more fun is when they play what the locals call a “double header” at the FedExForum on Saturdays. This is when the Tigers play a morning or afternoon game and then the Grizzlies come in and take over for the evening game. You can’t beat that scenario to give you your complete fix of basketball for the season.

University of Memphis Tigers
As many of you know the University of Memphis Tigers went all the way to the National Championship game in San Antonio this March. Can it happen again? We are keeping our blue fingers crossed! The new schedule and the new roster is available on gotigersgo.com. Be sure to check out all of the expo games. You can also buy season tickets to the games on gotigersgo.com.

Memphis Grizzlies NBA
The city is all a-buzz about the new recruits that are in town to complete our new 2009 roster. O.J. Mayo has been seen around Memphis getting to know his new fans and signing balls and jerseys before the season kicks off. Mayo heralds from USC and was amazing to watch during his college career. Another new name on the roster isn’t exactly that new…Marc Gasol…yep, he’s Pau’s brother. Does anyone else giggle at that? Anyway, his stats are looking very promising and all the buzz right now is that our new guys along with Rudy Gay, Mike Conley and team are looking very synergistic. Go Grizz!
Check out the entire new roster and this season’s schedule. Don’t forget to go ahead and buy your season passes while you are there.

Ice Hockey

While it seems odd that a southern town like Memphis has an ice hockey team, the Mississippi Riverkings have grown a cult-like following around the area. Maybe it’s how they keep the games icy-hot with all of those aggressive moves. The Riverkings play regularly in the DeSoto Civic Center which is only a 10 minute drive from downtown Memphis. The 2008-2009 season gets underway on October 10th. View the season schedule.

Racing

NASCAR and Drag Racing fans should be so happy to be in Memphis these days. It seems like every time I turn around I see or hear something mentioned about the events taking play out at Memphis Motorsports Park. They are really moving out there…quite literally.

NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series starts back up on Sept, 21st.  The annual O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals is presented at the Memphis Motorsports Park. Three days and nights of nitro-burning horsepower and 330+mph racing on the area's only championship drag strip, where every car is a rocket, and every ticket is a pit pass!

NASCAR fans can get their fill at the park as well on October 24th and 25th at the NASCAR Nationwide Series - Memphis 250 presented by the Southern Dodge Dealers. See your favorite speed demons race around the track for a good cause – The Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Rodeo

Yes, folks we have some rodeo activity for the livestock lover in you. And just think, if you go to one, you will forever be able to use the phrase, “this ain’t my first rodeo,” and mean it! This very week – Sept. 19-20 – at the DeSoto Civic Center you can check out the All New Rodeo of the Midsouth featuring world famous rodeo clown, Lecile Harris, calf roping, steer wrestling, bull riding and women's professional barrel racing. A Rodeo Queen of the Mid-South will even be crowned.

Vying for the barrel racing audience this weekend as well is the Fortune 5 Barrel Race being held at the Show Place Arena off Germantown Parkway. And more bull riding will commence on Oct. 4-5 at the Agricenter ShowPlace Arena when the International Bull riding Championships take place.

Racquetball

The US OPEN Racquetball Championship takes place at the Racquet Club of Memphis from October 22-26 . Pros and amateurs from many different countries including the US, Canada and Mexico participate. As the biggest and best racquetball event, the championship attractions not only the US, but the rest of the world as well. Check it all out a the Racquet Club of Memphis.

Sportsbars

Now – what do you do if you are here in Memphis and – GASP – your favorite team is not?? No worries, man. Memphis is loaded with sports bars full of big screen projections, your favorite beer behind the bar, and plenty of pompoms and friendly rivalries. Here are some of our favorites to check out the next time you are looking for a fun place to cheer on your boys (or girls!)

Buffalo Wild Wings
Fox and Hound
Jillian’s
Calhoun's Sports Bar
Brookhaven Pub
TJ Mulligan’s
Hooter’s

For more details on all things sports in Memphis, visit memphissportscouncil.com.