Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility Officially Dedicated
3/29/2007 12:00:00 AM | General
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - It's a long way from Dozier, Alabama to the Capstone in Tuscaloosa ?? 202.29 miles or a three-and-a-half hour drive. Most likely, it took a lot longer than that about 50 years ago when young Mal Moore made the trip from that small town in Crenshaw County to attend the University of Alabama.
As a permanent tribute to Moore's lifetime contributions to The University of Alabama, the Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama officially dedicated the facility formerly known as the Football Building as the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility in a short, private ceremony on the building's front steps Thursday morning, March 28, 2007.
"It is fitting and appropriate that The University of Alabama name this beautiful building after Mal Moore, since it will serve as one of the most visible and enduring signs of his vision for the UA Athletics Department and his commitment to making that vision a reality," said UA President Dr. Robert E. Witt. "UA students, fans and alumni will be forever grateful for the work he has done to make sure our athletics facilities rank among the best in the nation.
"But it is his personal and professional embodiment of the Crimson Tide tradition of class, dignity and excellence that is his real legacy to all of us. We thank Coach Moore for nearly 50 years of leadership and service to this University, and we want him to know that we will all work hard to make him proud in the years to come."
On November 9, 2006, the Board of Trustees passed a resolution commending Moore "whose vision of elevating the athletic facilities at the Capstone to premier status has resulted in a remarkable outcome that is a source of great pride to the University, the State of Alabama and the nation." The resolution noted that Moore established the Crimson Tradition Fund to secure the financial resources needed to renovate and refurbish existing athletic facilities as well as undertaking the recent expansion of Bryant-Denny Stadium.
"Mal Moore represents the great traditions of his alma mater: integrity, vision and a commitment to excellence," said UA System Chancellor Malcolm Portera. "Naming this building in his honor is a superb tribute to his lifelong contributions to the University and the State of Alabama."
Moore's distinguished record of service to UA began almost 50 years ago when he joined the Crimson Tide football squad as a scholarship player for Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant from 1958-62. He earned a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1963 and a master's in secondary education in 1962. Moore has the distinction of earning seven national championship rings during his career as a player and coach, the first as a member of the Crimson Tide's 1961 national championship team.
During his coaching tenure, Moore served as Coach Bryant's graduate assistant in 1964, then as defensive backfield coach for five years beginning in 1965 before becoming quarterbacks coach from 1971-1982, and taking on additional responsibility as the Tide's first offensive coordinator in 1975. He is the only individual connected with the Alabama coaching staffs, both past and present, to be a part of seven national championships (1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1979, and 1992). After coaching stops at Montana State, Notre Dame and the NFL's St. Louis and Phoenix Cardinals, Moore returned to Alabama, and was named assistant athletics director in 1993 and associate director for external affairs in 1994. He was named director of athletics on Nov. 23, 1999.
The building was opened in 1986, and remained roughly the same for almost 20 years, before Mr. Moore decided to launch the Crimson Tradition fund to upgrade the athletic facilities. Part of that grand plan was the addition of a state of the art weight room and a complete renovation of the building. For 20 years, the building stood without an official name, until The University of Alabama's Board of Trustees decided to give it one.
"Thanks to Coach Mal Moore's tireless efforts, The University of Alabama now has the finest athletic facilities in America, which complement the growth and development that is evident across the entire campus," said Joe Espy, President pro tem of the Board of Trustees.
"The Board of Trustees is extremely grateful for Coach Moore's contributions to The University of Alabama over these many years," said Finus St. John IV, chair of the Athletics Committee of the Board of Trustees. "Today is a wonderful opportunity for the Alabama family to let him know just how much we appreciate what he has done for all of us."
Three elements of his story make Mal Moore deserving of a special place in UA athletics history. Two of these elements reflect different periods of his life. The third reflects the entirety of his life. First, he has been a part of seven national championship football teams (as a player and coach). Second, he's been the leader who brought the UA athletic program into the 21st century in terms of facilities and people. Third ?? and, perhaps most importantly, his love for the University of Alabama is unsurpassed.
The Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility is a fitting honor for a man who represents the finest The University of Alabama has to offer. A man whose pluck and grit has certainly writ his name in crimson flame.
