From the desk of Mal Moore - 2.19.2007
2/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | General
Dear Crimson Tide Fan:
Coach Mark Gottfried's team is in the midst of the stretch drive of the regular season, and we have two critical home games remaining. Your support this year has been phenomenal, and I know you'll be there to cheer us on Saturday against Auburn and next Wednesday against Ole Miss.
Certainly, the immediate goals of the staff and team are to win the SEC West and to earn an NCAA berth for the sixth consecutive year. I know all of us at the University appreciate the capacity crowds that have been on hand at Coleman to cheer on our team this year, but the ones who really thank you are the players and the coaches. These next several weeks are crucial, and I know we will get the maximum effort from our team.
While the competition in all sports in this conference is intense, what makes it possible is the fans that attend the games. We have many loyal, diehard supporters who have been with the Crimson Tide in the best and the worst of times. There is one fan that I know deserves mentioning today: Mr. Dick Coffee, Jr., of Birmingham.
Recently, at the Jefferson County Alumni Association's Senior Football Banquet, Mr. Coffee was honored by that organization when they gave him a jersey with the No. 700 on it. That number is significant in that Mr. Coffee has now attended 700 straight Crimson Tide football games, dating back to the days when Frank Thomas was the head coach.
On the days leading up to the Sugar Bowl in 1964, there was a snowstorm that hit the Southeast and that's one time he almost didn't make the game because the roads were all blocked from west Alabama to New Orleans. Mr. Coffee wasn't deterred, just hopping on a train and making it to New Orleans in time to see the Crimson Tide upset Ole Miss.
I marvel at his commitment and loyalty to our school. He's also an avid fan of our other sports teams. I know I join all Alabama fans in thanking Dick for his love for our sports teams; and I hope he makes it to 700 more football games.
Although the winter weather has made it cold around campus, it hasn't stopped our softball and baseball teams from beginning their quests of defending their SEC titles. Coach Pat Murphy's team recently won the Bama Bash over Michigan State, Radford and Toledo. This weekend we host the Hampton Inn Crimson Classic, with North Carolina State, Winthrop, Indiana State and Western Kentucky participating.
A few blocks over Jim Wells' team, ranked again in the top-25, is set for its third weekend series, this time against Villnaova. In our on-going campaign to enhance our facilities, we have a new video scoreboard at Sewell-Thomas Stadium, which really enhances the ballpark.
Our gymnastics team will be at home the next three weekends hosting North Carolina, LSU and UCLA on Feb. 23, March 2 and March 9. Coach Sarah Patterson's currently ranked No. 3 in the nation.
Stephany Smith's women basketball team has struggled during this rebuilding season but hopes to end on a positive note when Miss. State (Thursday, Feb. 22) comes to Tuscaloosa to close out the 2007 home schedule.
Our men's tennis team, coached by Billy Pate scored a significant non-conference victory last week when his squad defeated Clemson. We are currently 5-1 for the year, ranked No. 32 in the nation, and the lone loss was a 4-3 decision to No. 5 Virginia. Jenny Mainz's women's team defeated UT-Chattanooga Friday and hosts Oklahoma Saturday, Feb. 24th. This week we are ranked No. 50 in the nation.
Jay Seawell's golf team, No. 1 ranked golf team, is currently competing in its first event this semester when they play at the Sawgrass Country Club in Pontre Vedra Beach, Fla. Mic Potter's women's team officially begins its spring schedule next week at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic.
Our men's and women's track teams will compete in the SEC Championships this weekend in Lexington.
I have also enclosed the link for our latest compliance newsletter, which is prepared by our Associate Athletic Director Chris King: http://www.rolltide.com/archive_files/files/compliance/Booster_Newsletter_Jan2007.pdf It is important that all our fans as well as our staffs here are updated regularly on compliance issues.
We hope when you are in Tuscaloosa you will take time to attend our events, the dates and times you can find on rolltide.com.
Roll Tide!
Mal Moore
Athletic Director
