Tiger Pride filled the University of Memphis campus Friday night as the school launched its inaugural ROAR Fest, a fresh take on Homecoming that replaced the traditional parade this year. The new festival-style celebration — timed to coincide with Parents & Family Weekend — invited students, families, and visitors to experience the energy, music, and spirit of Memphis all in one place.
The evening featured a high-energy performance from Memphis rap icon Al Kapone, who joined The Mighty Sound of the South for a rousing rendition of “Eye of the Tiger” that sent the crowd into full-on Tiger mode. Live music, campus food vendors and family-friendly programming created a festival atmosphere designed to bring the whole community together.
ROAR Fest also offered a chance to see recent campus transformations up close. In recent years the university has added major facilities and infrastructure — including the Hunter Harrison Memorial Bridge, the R. Brad Martin Student & Wellness Center, and the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center — that have reshaped the campus and improved the experience for students and visitors alike. Those upgrades, combined with the new ROAR Fest format, made this year’s Homecoming weekend feel especially vibrant and accessible to larger crowds.
The festival was the perfect kickoff to Homecoming weekend, which culminated in a dramatic football victory: the 7–1 Memphis Tigers edged the 6–2 South Florida Bulls 34–31 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25. Between the music, family gatherings, and the big win on the field, the first ROAR Fest delivered on its promise to amplify Tiger Pride and give fans a memorable new Homecoming tradition.
