I've loved the University of Memphis since birth. It's been hard-wired into me to bleed blue since I was old enough to yell "go, Tigers, go!" in the liberty bowl and to hate the color orange with a fiery passion. Memphis fans have the grit that our city thrives off of. We are always proud of our tigers, no matter what. The University of Memphis is my home, and I know that it always will be.

1. We have a beautiful campus, no matter what anyone else says.

Try and tell me you've never had the desire to run through the fountain. You can't, can you?

2. We have a live tiger as our mascot.

His name is TOM III, and he graces us with his presence every home football game. Just look at that cute little face.

3. Memphis fans are genuinely nice people with a lot of pride for their team.

We sure do love our tigers, win or lose, and we will be sure to let you know that.

4. You get to do cool stuff like pet baby kangaroos.

S/O to Student Activities Council for all of the fun things.

5. There is always something to do so you could never be bored.

Jerry's? Check. Grizzlies' Game? Check. Bass Pro? Check.

6. We have some awesome campus organizations to be a part of.

Did you know that the University of Memphis Up 'til Dawn program raised over $285,000 for the kids of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital last year? That's something to get excited about.

7. The food.

The city of Memphis is a BBQ lover's paradise, so you can see why this made the list. Try the BBQ nachos at Central. I dare you. They're life changing.

8. We are nationally ranked for many of the different programs we offer on campus.

Our very own Loewenberg College of Nursing is one of the top programs in the nation, along with many of the other programs the University offers.

9. Every single student still does not like this guy.

If any fan or student of Memphis hears the name John Calipari, you can bet that every single person in the room will make an unpleasant face. We have a hard time letting go of grudges, and that is perfectly okay.

10. Our campus is constantly getting bigger and better.

Just LOOK at the rendering of what our new rec center is going to look like. HOW COOL IS THAT.

11. Tiger blue looks good on everyone.

Even JT knows what's up.

12. Everyone has so much pride for our school and our city.

Don't let a U of M student hear you talking trash about our city or our school. We know that Memphis has some of the highest crime rates in the nation, but that's OUR city. Let us talk trash about it. You aren't allowed to.

♪ ♪ "I'm so glad I go to the U of M" ♪ ♪