They are from a promotion that the University of Memphis "Tigers" did a few years ago to raise money for some programs. Comapnies sponsored tigers, artists decorated them and then inth end businesses bought them for display.
Originally Posted by memdal
Last year (2011) or the year before, in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the University of Memphis (founded 1911 as "West Tennessee Normal School"; 1925 became "West Tennessee State Teacher's College"; 1941 became "Memphis State College", 1957 became "Memphis State University"--many older Memphians still refer to it as "Memphis State"--and in 1994 it took its present name).
If you go up to one of the statues and look near the tiger's left front leg you should see a plaque telling you a bit about it (at least, I've seen them on the couple statues I've been able to inspect closehand).
Cheers,
bcg