The Tigers lost a big part of their foundation with the passing of 93-year-old Elma Neale Roane in September of 2011. Hired as the women's athletic director, the Memphis State alum helped return women's basketball to varsity athletic team status in 1972-73. Under her guidance, Memphis State began offering full scholarships to female athletes to play at the university, eventually helping the team secure funding for bus and air travel (as opposed to van travel). In 1993, Memorial Gymnasium in the heart of campus was renamed the Elma Roane Fieldhouse, and today it houses the Tiger volleyball and women's basketball teams as well as the University's HMSE department. All female athletes at the University of Memphis owe a debt of gratitude to Ms. Roane for setting the foundation for the current opportunities enjoyed by Tigers in 10 different women's sports.
MORE 2012 Tigers Women's Basketball Yearbook Page 30 University of Memphis
