My first visit to the campus was in 1956,,visiting my uncle who was in school(ME).
Then when I played FB in Jr high and HS, I always read the write ups about the games in my local paper..I was hooked on the U of A...and yes, I have always been a fan thru the bad yrs too...can't say I was always happy, but still a fan. 

Camped out at Foster night before the tickets went on sale..went to all home games, and most away games, 1963-67..sat in the rain at Legion Field, put on sport coat and ties, wife got dressed to the nines for each game..sometimes went to the "Cotton Patch" after a home game..went to "married students dances" after games,
laughed at the antics of Shorty Price..sneaked in a pint of JD or JB once in a while, played pick up BB games on Sunday pms with Joe at the old Ed. Dept gym (about where student center is now), went fishing with Creed Gilmer and Joel White...went deer hunting (at night, don't ask) with Les Kelley and others...played golf with Steve Sloan..suffered thru 5 yrs of beat downs by UT when I grad'd and went to Chatt to work..cried when CPBB died..never liked Ray P. but still a fan..wished the best for Dubose..still a fan..was glad to see Coach Gene come back..did not like Fran, still a fan, wished the best for Shula, (he was "unseasoned") but still a fan..anguished over the Mike P. clusterf.   still a fan.. was unsure about CNS when he first came..still a fan.

STILL A FAN..ALWAYS WILL BE!

BAMA BORN AND BAMA BRED, WHEN I'M GONE, I'LL BE BAMA DEAD!

There are reasons beside winning that I am an Alabama fan.  First, the program.  The Alabama program is something any fan of football can be proud of.  Coach Saban and his staff have continued to hold their players to a higher standard and make them accountable for their actions.  This is not always the case, especially in society/schools today.  They are also there to dole out praise when the players do what is right.  Second, I am proud of how the program prepares these young men for the future.  In this program you are not entitled to playing time for your achievements in high school, you earn the right to play.  In society many times you have to earn your place.  Third, the players can't be paid, but they are rewarded by having some of the best facilities in the NCAA.  In a sense they have earned this through their hard work which is driven by their coaches.  Finally, I do like winning. 

Last night Leonard Garcia, Fox Sport analyst, spoke to us at our REC meeting and explained some of the issues and news in the recruiting war.

Garcia explained to us that these young men are wined and dined at the highest level by the all of the different schools and this is why it is so difficult to ever really know where they will end up playing ball. Some of these recruits use it as a tool and play this game of who really wants me which then really puts a lot of pressure on the coaches to do their jobs in getting them to sign.

Garcia went over the list of players that Bama is interested in and those that have committed and it was basically news that we have all heard before. He was asked about the latest news of the two players that flipped from Bama to Southern Cal and Auburn. The Southern Cal flip probably would never have happened had not there been an untimely death in the players family. The flip to Auburn seemed to be a lot of pressure from the players home area as well as the success of the Auburn program this year. There are still players that Bama are recruiting for the defensive backfield and this flip may not hurt them as much.

He was also asked who is the player from this years recruiting class that might have  the most impact on the team if Bama can sign him and he said Matt Elam, a DT from Elizabehtown, Ky because he is the best of all the DT's that are available in this years class and Bama is needed someone at that position. He described Marlon Humphrey as one of those that is playing the recruiting game and he really likes himself, but felt like he would end up at Bama in the end. he did say that Humphrey likes FSU a lot.  Leonard Fournette, another Louisiana product, is still considering Bama and yes he could end up at Bama. Bo Scarbrough says Bama is still his school but there are a lot of other schools interested in him and he's been making a lot of visits.

As you can see, nothing is solid with these young men and their promises until they sign the dotted line and fax in their papers, but the everyday battles will continue until that day arrives. Will Bama get all of those committed to them at this time, we all hope so, but there is a chance that some may yet change their minds. On the flip side of that coin though is the possibility of some players that have committed to other schools who  may flip to Bama. It's almost like a soap opera, whose bed will they sleep in last.

Georgia State has a good team. They had three players that transferred from major programs. One each from Kentucky, USCw and Va Tech. ESPN said they have the best Mid-Major back court. This was supposed to be our best home non-conference game other than Wichita State and Xavier. I was concerned this game could end like home losses last year to Dayton, Mercer and Tulane. We played well and beat them in every phase of the game.

I can not say enough good things about Obasohan. He is exceeding the high expectations I had for him this year. He is quick, handles the ball well, penetrates, plays defense and is a scorer. He is playing an awful lot like Releford and I mean that as a complement.

Releford has improved his outside shot. Randolph looks healthy and is playing well. Cooper is steady and is getting a lot of rebounds. CAG is still looking for the right combination at the post spot. Taylor is starting and has been playing well for a freshman. Last night 6'-8" forward Shannon Hale played 26 minutes and scored 8 points and had 7 rebounds. Engstrom and Jacobs are in the mix too. Algie Key is a good player off the bench. He played 17 minutes and had 7 points last night. I like the way CAG is mixing and matching our line up. So far we have been difficult to defend. We are also shooting free throws well as a team at 76%.

Since the Opener against Oklahoma we are holding opponents to 65 points or less. I was concerned the new rules would hurt our defense but so far it has not. However, I think the new rules has helped our offense, especially the drives to the basket.

I think the new S&C coach is already paying dividends. We look in better shape than I can remember and it shows in the way we are playing.

We have two big games in New York next week. I am looking forward to it.

Wow, another fun night at Coleman. I'm trying to be careful and not get too hyped up over what I've seen these past two games but heck, it has been fun to watch.

I can tell all of you one thing for sure, I know why Trevor Lacy transfered, he knew he couldn't beat out Obasohan this year. This guy is the real deal and if Key can get going, Bama's backcourt is going to be hard to handle.

Kudos to CAG and his staff for getting this team to playing the way it is right now. The real test comes next Wednesday night though against Duke. There is one thing that is certain about that game and it is Bama will come away with a pretty good idea of where they stand compared to the big guns in college basketball. Even if they were to lose, they will still know how they compare to the elite programs in the NCAA with a whole season left to play and time to improve before the NCAA tournament.

Hopefully they will play well in New York and maybe win the tournament and that's not a bad place to win a tournament. Those folks up there love their basketball like we love our football down here, so there's a lot to gain by doing something good up there.

Good morning everyone.

Yesterday I stated that some of my friends were calling trying to find tickets for Saturday's game, well I got a call yesterday that really made my day. Back in June we had our 50th high school class reunion and one of my classmates brought her grandson along because he is such an avid Bama fan even though he lives in Georgia. I took him on a tour of Bryant Denny as well as the Bryant Museum and he just had a great time that day. His grandmother called me yesterday and told me they were trying to surprise him on his 10th birthday this weekend with a trip to an Alabama football game and asked if I could find some tickets. His grandmother is a stroke victim and her abilities to walk are restricted some so she said it wasn't that important that I find her a ticket just find two tickets for her daughter and grandson and she would find something to entertain her while they went to the game.
 
At the basketball game last night I talked with the gentleman that operates the elevator at Bryant Denny and asked him if I could possibly get some assistance from him in getting her up to the 2nd level of the stadium and he said he could. I've got three tickets for them now and their seats are close to mine which are sheltered from the rain so my gameday Saturday has taken on a new meaning and I'm really looking forward to it.

I have one more promise of bringing a couple to a Bama game and only God can make this one possible. It can't happen this year but it can next year so please keep Mrs. L and Leroy in your prayers as they struggle through this trying time with his health because I like to live up to anything that I promise and he needs a lot of our help.  

Have a great day everyone.

Paul W. Bryant Jr. did not fly down to Miami to close the deal when the University of Alabama hired Nick Saban as its head football coach.

He did not put Mal Moore, the late UA athletics director, on a plane with instructions to come back with Saban or not come back at all.

Bryant is not the secret mastermind running the Crimson Tide athletic department, pulling strings and making moves behind the scenes.

"That's baloney," Bryant said.

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Renovations at Sewell Thomas Stadium are long over due but it looks like the wait will be worth it. The artist renderings look like the $30 million dollar investment will be a first class facility.