It’s got huge fangs and weighs more than 1,000 pounds – say hello to Peabody Elementary’s newest addition!  

MCS crew (right), UofM alumni representative, and Central BBQ’s Craig Blondis (left)

Peabody adopter, Central BBQ, donated the tiger sculpture to the school.  

“We love the University of Memphis and Peabody Elementary, so bringing a tiger here seemed like a natural fit.” said Central BBQ co-owner and Peabody dad, Craig Blondis. “We’re all about community pride and what could make the kids prouder than having this big guy greet them at school every morning?”

“Academic Tiger” is the name of this sculpture.  It’s one of 100 tigers created for the University of Memphis’ centennial celebration. Each was designed by a local artist. This is the only tiger by a Memphis City School high school student.  

Peabody Elementary is only the second site in Cooper-Young to get a tiger. The first one?  It’s at Central BBQ on Central, of course.  

So take your back-to-school picture by the Academic Tiger!  Word of warning – you can touch the big guy, but Principal Jones says don’t climb on him.  She means it, kiddos.