Former Tiger Tim Duncan Takes Over as Director of M Club

Ex-Tiger Duncan takes over as director of M Club
By Phil Stukenborg
July 6, 2007

Tim Duncan isn't afraid to admit it.

A small business owner, the former University of Memphis basketball player didn't envision working for anyone but himself again. That, he said, was before a job at his alma mater opened.

Duncan, a teammate of Penny Hardaway's in the early 1990s, was named the director of the M Club, a 250-member group of former Tiger letter-winners, last week.
"I thought it was a wonderful opportunity," said Duncan, a member of the U of M's Elite Eight team in 1992. "I thought I'd love the opportunity to work for my alma mater. I've been a fan since the days of (former basketball stars) Otis Jackson and Alvin Wright."

Duncan, 37, graduated from Melrose High before becoming a reserve for the Tigers under former coach Larry Finch. Duncan graduated from the school with a degree in business administration before pursuing and completing his master's degree in sports administration from Grambling State University in 1997.

"This job is a combination of my two loves: sports and marketing," Duncan said. "I hope to use those passions to grow the membership."

Duncan said there are thousands of former athletes who are unfamiliar with the M Club and its benefits. Among the perks for the $25 membership fee is access to purchasing a Tiger basketball season ticket in one of three designated sections. Duncan said there are 500 seats available, including 200 in the lower section.

Duncan owns the PR Store, which helps small business owners with their marketing needs, near Poplar and Ridgeway and hopes to bring the experience he has gained to the M Club operation. He said among his priorities are to make the M Club Web site more interactive and to expand membership.

"We are very fortunate to have him," said associate athletic director Bill Lansden. "He has brought a sense of vision and direction that we need.

"And it's great to have a former player who understands the viewpoints of most of our former players."