Memphis president honors Tigers’ basketball upset UConn with cliff diving

On By Littum

MAUI, Hawaii – What was initially an off-the-cuff joke Sunday night from University of Memphis President Bill Hardgrave became a very real thing Tuesday morning.

“When we beat UConn, I’m jumping off the cliff,” he told The Commercial Appeal, recalling the comment he made to Tigers donor Wes Kraker.

Hardgrave was referring to Black Rock, a rock on the north end of Ka’anapali Beach located on the Sheraton Maui property where the team and its traveling entourage are staying this week for the Maui Invitational.

Hardgrave, of course, bet on Memphis (5-0) to upset no. 2 UConn – which the Tigers did on Monday, 99-97 in overtime. He just wasn’t quite sure anyone would hold him to it.

Kraker, recounting his version of events, said he made sure to spread the word among the other Tigers fans who made the trip to Hawaii. He also sent Hardgrave reminders in real time.

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

Then came a nervous laugh. But Hardgrave put on a brave face.

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

Moments later, Hardgrave – accompanied by his son, Gavin; Tigers athletic director Ed Scott; and thrill-seeking Memphis fan Beth Wilson — took several deliberate, deep breaths, said, “let’s do this,” and swam the few hundred yards to the geological formation. The group ascended to the approximately 15-foot summit and then jumped into the Pacific Ocean.

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

Hardgrave sat in the courtyard at the Lahaina Civic Center and walked away beaming.

“It was a massive win. I mean, just what a great game,” he said Tuesday, hours before the Tigers’ game against Michigan State (5 p.m. CT, ESPN).

Reach sportswriter Jason Munz at [email protected] or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.