Memphis president pays tribute to disgruntled UConn Tigers basketball player with cliff jump

MAUI, Hawaii – What was initially a spontaneous joke from University of Memphis President Bill Hardgrave on Sunday evening became a very real thing on Tuesday morning.

“‘If we beat UConn, I’ll jump off the rock,'” he told The Commercial Appeal, recalling the remark he made to Tigers donor Wes Kraker.

Hardgrave was referring to Black Rock, a cliff at the north end of Ka’anapali Beach on the grounds of the Sheraton Maui, where the team and its tour group are staying this week for the Maui Invitational.

Hardgrave, of course, was betting that Memphis (5-0) would defeat No. 2 UConn – which the Tigers did 99-97 in overtime on Monday. He just wasn’t entirely sure if anyone would force him to do it.

Kraker gave his version of events and said he made sure to spread the word among other Tigers fans who traveled to Hawaii. He also sent Hardgrave real-time memories.

“During the game, Wes Kraker sent me pictures of people jumping off cliffs,” Hardgrave said before taking the plunge.

Nervous laughter came next. But Hardgrave put on a brave face.

“Sure, yeah, let’s go excited,” he said.

Moments later, Hardgrave – accompanied by his son Gavin; Tigers athletic director Ed Scott; and adventurous Memphis fan Beth Wilson – took several deep breaths, said, “Let’s do this,” and let the two swim a hundred meters to the geological formation. The group climbed to the peak, which was about 15 feet high, and then jumped into the Pacific.

Many members of the Memphis basketball team (including PJ Haggerty, Moussa Cisse, Nicholas Jourdain, Baraka Okojie and Jared Harris) came to the beach and watched as their fearless leaders faced their fears in honor of their victory. Several of trainer Penny Hardaway’s employees also joined the group of spectators.

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