I'm not an alumnus and I do not possess extensive knowledge of UA. However, like many people from another part of the South, I am aware of the great history and tradition of BAMA Football. I can claim that I have always been a great admirer of Coach Bear Bryant and consider him, along with Joe Paterno, Vince Lombardi and Don Shula, to be the best coaches, most outstanding leaders, and the finest men/role models in the history of competitive sports. I am also a great admirer of Gene Stallings and the relationship he has with his young son. I also have a son with Down's Syndrom and I think that Coach Stalling's book was a beautiful sharing of the love we have with our "special" children.
My relationship with UA and especially with Tide Football, is changing rapidly. My youngest son Michael is enrolled in Session II of summer school and will be on campus this Sunday for registration and to settle into his dorm. He will also begin working out at the practice fields in preparation for the start of Fall football practice in August. He will be competing for the PK'ing responsabilities.
Our whole family is very excited about this tremendous challenge and opportunity. Michael has been working very hard all summer in preparation and is both eager and nervous about getting to Tuscaloosa. He was recruited by several other SEC schools, but chose Alabama after his visit there this past spring. Michael's mother and brother accompanied him on his spring trip and they all returned with rave reviews about the campus, the coaches, and all the people they had met. My wife absolutely fell in love with the campus.
I returned with Michael for the A-Day game and to be honest, "I was blown away". I can't immagine any young person being able to select any other school, once they have walked those tree shaded streets through the central campus. Coach Cottrell met us and escorted us onto the Stadium field. The sense of the tradition and history was overwhelming! No one had to say a word,....the emotion just sort of overtakes you. I was so very proud when Michael said to me, after looking up and around the entire stadium, "Dad, I'd like to try to be a part of all this".
In addition, all the people that I and my family met were just very impressive. The visits were so well organized and professional. Michael said that a significant part of his decision to attend UA was the extreme courtesy and warm friendship extended to his mother and handicapped brother by everyone they met on the first visit. In particular, I must add that Coach Ronnie Cottrell is one of the most sincere people any of us has met. His honesty, integrity and "straight shooting" manners were a refreshing alternative to the "hype" we had experienced on visits to other places. He is a true "treasure" that I hope will be part of Tide Football for many years to come.
So now I join TI and hope that we will be able to share the enthusiasm, excitement, comraderie and friendship of all those who are part of the UA family. I have much to learn about what it means to be a Red Elephant, but I at least have a good start on the physical requirements. I look forward to communicating with you all and cheering the Crimson Tide on to victory. ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!