Prayers needed for family and friends of Frankie Conklin. He was owner of Memphis Elite Allstars and Spirit Coordinator @ The University of Memphis. I can't believe he is gone. No details yet but I am just sick right now.

I knew Frankie for a really long time back in my sky view days. Great guy. I heard he had a heart attack. Prayers for his friends and family.

(05-26-2013 02:24 PM)missjtiger Wrote:  Prayers needed for family and friends of Frankie Conklin. He was owner of Memphis Elite Allstars and Spirit Coordinator @ The University of Memphis. I can't believe he is gone. No details yet but I am just sick right now.

Damn.

yes, hearing it was a massive heart attack. Basketball games are never going to be the same for me ever again....no d.j. in uniform and no Frankie standing in the corner by the band. Life is short, make the most of it while you're here.

RIP Frankie. Will never forget the many memories that we made, I didn't expect my last time that I will see you would be after the game in Auburn Hills. This is a huge lost and my thoughts and prayers will be go out to his family and the many lives he has touch.

May 26, 2013

MEMPHIS - Frankie Conklin, who was widely known as one of the nation's leading cheer coaches and the spirit squad directors who guided the University of Memphis squads to seven national championships, died Sunday in Memphis. Conklin, born January 4, 1960, was 53 years old.

"We were incredibly sad to learn of the passing of head spirit squad coach>Frankie Conklin," said Memphis Athletics Director Tom Bowen. "He was a treasured coach, colleague and friend. On behalf of the Tiger Nation, the athletic department and the University of Memphis, we send our thoughts and prayers to the Conklin family."

The owner and president of Memphis Elite All-Stars, Conklin became the spirit squad director for the University in the summer of 2004 and with the assistance of Carol Lloyd, continued to build the three Tiger spirit squads into one of the nation's top programs.

In 2004 he led the Memphis All-Girl Competitive team to the UCA National Championship in competition held at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. In an unprecedented feat, the 2008 Pom squad and the All-Girl Competitive team both won the UCA/UDA National Championships marking the first time Memphis had taken two of the three national titles in a single year.

"The entire University is deeply saddened by the death of>Frankie Conklin," said University President Dr. Shirley Raines. "Our sympathies go out to his family and all of the spirit team members that he has touched over the years."

During his nine-year tenure at Memphis, Conklin's squads earned seven championships, including four by the nationally recognized Tiger Pom-Pon squad, two by the All-Girl Competitive team and another by the Co-ed squad which came in first January of this year.

Arrangements for Mr. Conklin are incomplete at this time. He is survived by his daughter Meghan Bell and a grandson Hudson.

Rip Frank

(05-26-2013 02:24 PM)missjtiger Wrote:  Prayers needed for family and friends of Frankie Conklin. He was owner of Memphis Elite Allstars and Spirit Coordinator @ The University of Memphis. I can't believe he is gone. No details yet but I am just sick right now.

Devastated to hear this. What a great guy. This is a sad day for the entire Tiger Nation.

The man made the city of Memphis a cheerleading power house. I just read the newspaper and found out the sad news.

Was there a thread on this earlier?

(05-27-2013 05:10 PM)Tiger5 Wrote:  The man made the city of Memphis a cheerleading power house. I just read the newspaper and found out the sad news.

Was there a thread on this earlier?

yes

Yes

Yes

yes

yes

Frankie was like second father to me. I wouldn't be cheering today at Indiana if it weren't for him letting me cheer for Memphis Elite my senior year. He was amazing. I will always remember him. Wish I could have one more lunch with him.

RIP Frank.