The Battle Plan
9/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | General
Another Challenge and a New Opportunity
Last week's game against Ole Miss was maybe the strangest game I've ever seen. It seemed like whatever could go wrong for the Crimson Tide did go wrong. Our team got in a hole but fought their way back to a point where I believed we would win the game. It wasn't to be, but I am proud of the way our team competed, adjusted, and responded to adversity. Our fans were great and the atmosphere in Bryant-Denny Stadium was electric. They stayed engaged the entire game and were inspirational to our players in their comeback effort.
This is a new week and we have a lot of games left to play against a difficult schedule. In order to win championships a team has to be very good, but also needs the ball to bounce its way a few times during the season, as well as win a few games when they don't play their best. Of even greater importance is to avoid injuries to key players or in positions that lack depth. That's why there are very few undefeated teams at the end of every season. Our coaches do the best job of developing players and teams of anyone anywhere.
Honoring Academic Excellence This Saturday
Our 2014-15 Academic All-Americans will be honored at halftime of Saturday's football game with ULM. Last year, our student-athletes led the nation in CoSIDA Academic All-Americans with 12 Crimson Tide students earning the honor. That was just one off the school record set during the 2013-14 academic year and marked the second straight year for us to lead the nation in this prestigious honor.
I hope you will give a strong salute to our 2014-15 Academic All-Americans: Haylie McCleney (softball), Arie Kouandjio (football), Nia Barnes (track and field), Merel van Dongen and Laura Lee Smith (soccer), Levi Randolph (men's basketball), Sierra Wilson and Krystal Rivers (volleyball), Lauren Beers (gymnastics), Emily Zabor (women's tennis) and Anton McKee and Connor Oslin (men's swimming and diving).
Leroy Cook, Colenzo Hubbard & the '75 SEC Champs Return to Bryant-Denny
Immediately prior to kickoff Saturday, I hope you will give an enthusiastic welcome back to our honorary captains for this week, former Tide defensive end Leroy Cook, former Tide nose guard/linebacker Colenzo Hubbard and the 1975 Alabama team who will be recognized just prior to the pregame coin toss. Both Leroy and Colenzo were key contributors on the 1975 SEC title team that is holding its 40th reunion this weekend.
Leroy came to Tuscaloosa from Abbeville and currently lives in Mobile. He was a two-time consensus All-American at defensive end in both 1974 and 1975. Leroy's accolades are too numerous to completely review in this space. He was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 1975, a captain of the 1975 team, a member of the SEC and Alabama All-Decade Teams for the 1970s, and he played on four SEC title teams and our 1973 national championship squad. But perhaps his most unique accomplishment occurred in 1972 when, as a freshman, he was the first freshman to play for the varsity at Alabama as the NCAA that year made freshmen eligible to play and he was the first Crimson Tide rookie player to get in a game that season.
Colenzo came to the Capstone from Mulga and played on our teams from 1973-76 at both nose guard and linebacker. As a junior on the 1975 team, he was a key player on a defense that led the nation in scoring defense. He led the 1975 team in fumble recoveries and racked up nearly 200 tackles over the course of his career. After college, Colenzo entered the ministry. He created an Episcopal center in Memphis in 1989 to help educate at-risk children and adults with the goal of helping them become productive citizens.
Today's Flag Bearer -- Col. Brad Lynn
Prior to kickoff today, our nation's flag will be presented by Colonel J. Bradford Lynn, Wing Commander of Alabama's Civil Air Patrol. In addition to his service to our nation, Col. Lynn has long been a key figure in informing young people in our state about being a pilot and serviceman, stressing the importance of focusing on education to ensure a promising future. He is a terrific advocate for the importance of science, technology, engineering and math skills, showing kids what they can do with those skills to enhance their prospects in life.
Colonel Lynn joined the civil air patrol as a cadet in the Tuscaloosa Composite Squadron in 1969. Graduating from The University of Alabama in 1976, he was commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) and entered active duty in 1977. In 1986, Colonel Lynn transferred to the Air Force Reserve, 988th Airlift Wing, where he held numerous command and staff positions. He served a tour in reserve operations at the Pentagon and deployed as an air expeditionary commander in the Afghanistan theatre in 2004. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, Air Force Commendation Medal and numerous campaign and service medals.
Career Fair - Another Element of The Mission
On Tuesday night, our Career and Leadership Development Center put on a career fair in the North Zone at Bryant-Denny Stadium, bringing more than 100 junior and senior student-athletes together with more than 25 of the top employers in the region and nation, including NIKE, Coca-Cola, Regions Financial Group, Aflac, Target and the United States Marine Corps, which presented the event.
The fair promoted a connection between junior and senior student-athletes and employers from a wide range of industries, nurturing opportunities for professional internships or employment for our student-athletes. It was an excellent opportunity for employers to meet our best and brightest while learning about the wide range of skill sets they have nurtured here at the Capstone, the types of skills that are critical to organizational success.
Bryant-Denny Stadium Game Day Reminders
As we host another home game on Saturday afternoon, here are a few reminders that I shared with you prior to our home opener two weeks ago. While Saturday's weather forecast for our game with ULM indicates sunny skies with low humidity and a high of around 82 degrees, it's important to remember to keep yourself hydrated and protected from the effects of the sun. Also, as you make your drive into town, remember that there is a lot of construction going on in the area that needs to be factored into your planning.
Here are some things to bear in mind when attending our home games this season:
Traffic Routes
Alternate routes to and from Bryant-Denny Stadium have been devised to alleviate potential problems caused by road construction in the Tuscaloosa area. For more details, please visit www.uagameday.com for all of the latest parking and traffic information.
Prohibited Items
Fans cannot bring the following items into Bryant-Denny Stadium:
- oversized bags (backpacks or purses larger than 8.5 inches x 11 inches)
- video recorders/camcorders
- outside food and drinks, including coolers
- firearms and weapons
- computers
- umbrellas
- artificial noisemakers
- strollers
- chair backs larger than 16 inches
- cameras and telephoto lenses larger than 6 inches
- flags or banners on poles; selfie sticks
Law enforcement officials have the right to inspect any item at any time to ensure spectator safety and prohibited items must be returned to cars or disposed of before entering the stadium. There are no provisions to check items at any gate of entry. Those looking to enter without any bag check items are encouraged to enter the stadium through the express lane gates located at gates 10, 18, 36 and 38.
Water Stations in the Stadium
There will be eight water stations inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, four stations on the mezzanine level and four in the upper deck. Each station is a 125-gallon tank that provides cold filtered water. You can bring in clear, empty bottles to fill, but there will also be cups provided at each station. The water stations are located in sections D, K, AA and NN on the mezzanine level and the top of each spiral ramp in the upper deck.
Smoke-Free Campus Initiative
We are still in the implementation stage of a new campus-wide policy that went into effect last January 1, when The University of Alabama became a "smoke-free" campus, including all of our athletics facilities. The University instituted the policy as part of an effort to ensure the health and well-being of our students, faculty, staff and visitors. Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes, is prohibited in all facilities, grounds and parking areas on the UA campus.
Sports Updates
Cross Country
Our women's cross country team was ranked second in the South Region in the most recent U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) regional rankings and received 10 votes in this week's USTFCCCA National Coaches Poll. The men's team is ranked 11th in the South Region after beginning the season unranked. Both teams are in Stillwater, Okla., today to compete in the Cowboy Jamboree.
Men's Golf
Our 24th-ranked men's golf team recorded its lowest round of the year last Sunday (Sept. 20) with a 284 to finish with a three-day score of 864 to tie for sixth at the Olympia Fields/Fighting Illini Invitational, one of the toughest tournaments of the year. The 15-team field featured 12 schools ranked among the nation's top 50 teams in the 2015 Golfstat Team Rankings, including the top three ranked teams in the nation (No. 1 Illinois, No. 2 Texas and No. 3 Florida State). Additionally, of the 15 teams in this year's field, nine were among the nation's top 25. Freshman Davis Riley led the Tide for the second consecutive tournament and collected his first top-five finish with a fourth-place result. He finished with a 2-under par total of 208. Junior Robby Shelton tied for 13th overall at 3-over 213, playing in his first event for the Tide this season after returning from Lancashire, England, where he represented the United States at the 2015 Walker Cup. The team returns to action at the Dick's Sporting Goods Collegiate Cup Challenge this weekend in Nashville, Tenn.
Women's Golf
Coach Mic Potter's women's golf team began the season two weeks ago by winning the Mason Rudolph Championship in Franklin, Tenn., shooting a team total 16-under (848) for the event to beat Northwestern by one stroke. Sophomore Lakareber Abe took home the individual title, her first collegiate tournament victory, and Golfweek named Alabama its National Team of the Week while Lakareber took National Player of the Week honors. The team returns to action Oct. 9-11 at the Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invitational in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Soccer
We have had great crowds are our home soccer matches so far this season as Coach Wes Hart continues to develop his team in his first season at the helm of our program. Last weekend, we split a pair of tough matches, falling to nationally-ranked Kentucky on Friday before topping Jacksonville State on Sunday. Last night we had a tough loss at Ole Miss. Coach Hart's aggressive attacking style of play is exciting to watch -- the team fired 38 shots on goal against Jacksonville State, the sixth-highest single-game total in program history. The season continues on Sunday with a match at South Carolina.
Softball
Coach Patrick Murphy's softball team held its first team practice of the season on Sunday, Sept. 20, at Rhoads Stadium. The team focused on fundamentals as they prepare for the fall games in October. The Tide's first fall semester action will take place in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Sunday, Oct. 4, with a doubleheader against Middle Tennessee State, for an 11:30 a.m. CT start with game two starting 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. The Tide will return to Tuscaloosa for more fall games at Rhoads Stadium on Oct. 17 vs. Western Kentucky (11 a.m.) and Mobile (3 p.m.), Oct. 18 vs. West Alabama (doubleheader at 1:30 p.m.) and Oct. 25 vs. Shorter College (doubleheader at 1:30 p.m.).
Men's Tennis
Coach George Husack's men's tennis team is hosting their 2015-16 season opener this weekend with the Crimson Tide Four-In-The-Fall at the Alabama Tennis Stadium. The Tide is competing against Notre Dame, Columbia, South Florida and Memphis, so get out to the stadium to enjoy the nice weather and support the Tide.
Women's Tennis
Four members of Coach Jenny Mainz's women's tennis team competed in the Baylor Invitational last weekend, the Tide's first fall event of the 2015-16 season. Senior Natalia Maynetto, junior transfer Joanna Nena Savva, sophomore Aryn Greene and freshman Andie Daniell combined for seven singles victories. In her first career collegiate action, Andie picked up a combined four victories between singles and doubles over the course of the three-day event. Joanna finished with a win in singles and doubles, while Natalia (singles) and Aryn (doubles) earned one victory each. This weekend, the Tide Alabama is competing in the Furman Fall Classic in Greenville, S.C., with action concluding on Sunday.
Volleyball
After falling in the opening set, Coach Ed Allen's team rebounded to win the next three sets and defeat Mississippi State, 3-1, Wednesday night at Foster Auditorium. Our front line was outstanding in the match, led by Krystal Rivers' career-high eight blocks along with 11 kills. Kat Hutson led the Tide in kills with 16 while Brittany Thomas earned her eighth double-double of the year with 10 kills and 13 digs. The team takes this weekend off before resuming action at home on Tuesday against Alabama State. That match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. CT start.
Upcoming Action
Here's a summary of athletic events over the next several days (times listed are for the location of the event: CT is Central Time, ET is Eastern Time, MT is Mountain Time, PT is Pacific Time):
Saturday, September 26
| Time | Sport | Opponent/Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 a.m. ET | Women's Tennis | at Furman Fall Classic | Greenville, S.C. |
| 8:30 a.m. CT | Men's Tennis | at Crimson Tide Four-In-The-Fall Tournament | Tuscaloosa |
| 9:15 a.m. CT | Cross Country | at Cowboy Jamboree | Stillwater, Okla. |
| 3 p.m. CT | Football | vs. Louisiana-Monroe (ULM) | Bryant-Denny Stadium |
| All Day | Men's Golf | at Dick's Sporting Goods Collegiate Challenge Cup | Nashville, Tenn. |
Sunday, September 27
| Time | Sport | Opponent/Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 a.m. ET | Women's Tennis | at Furman Fall Classic | Greenville, S.C. |
| 9 a.m. CT | Men's Tennis | at Crimson Tide Four-In-The-Fall Tournament | Tuscaloosa |
| 6 p.m. ET | Soccer | at South Carolina | Columbia, S.C. |
| All Day | Men's Golf | at Dick's Sporting Goods Collegiate Challenge Cup | Nashville, Tenn. |
Tuesday, September 29
| Time | Sport | Opponent/Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 p.m. CT | Volleyball | vs. Alabama State | Foster Auditorium |
Thursday, October 1
| Time | Sport | Opponent/Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 p.m. CT | Soccer | vs. Auburn | UA Soccer Complex |
Friday, October 2
| Time | Sport | Opponent/Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 p.m. ET | Volleyball | at Tennessee | Knoxville, Tenn. |
Where to See, Listen and Follow Alabama Sports
Here's how to follow Crimson Tide teams via TV, radio, rolltide.com, Twitter and Facebook:
Cross Country
Twitter: @AlabamaTrack
Football
Live Stats: www.rolltide.com
TV: SEC Network
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Sirius 83/XM 190) (check local listings)
Twitter: @AlabamaFTBL
Men's Golf
Live Stats: www.golfstat.com
Twitter: @AlabamaMGolf
Soccer
Live Stats: Sunday -- www.gamecocksonline.com
Watch: SEC Network +
Radio: Sunday -- 90.7 (WVUA-FM)
Twitter: @AlabamaSoccer
Volleyball
Live Stats: Tuesday -- www.rolltide.com; Friday -- www.utsports.com
Twitter: @AlabamaVBall
Catch Alabama Athletics on the SEC Network
Here's a summary of our athletic events to be televised over the next week on The SEC Network and its platforms. Read this schedule closely as some events can be seen via SEC Network +, which is available online via ESPN3 here. If you can't make it to our games in person, catch us on radio or TV. (All times listed are Central Time)
Saturday, September 26
| Time | Event | Network |
|---|---|---|
| 3 p.m. | Football vs. Louisiana-Monroe | SEC Network |
| 7 p.m. | Volleyball vs. Virginia | SEC Network + |
Sunday, September 27
| Time | Event | Network |
|---|---|---|
| 5 p.m. | Soccer vs. South Carolina | SEC Network + |
Monday, September 28
| Time | Event | Network |
|---|---|---|
| 1:30 a.m. | REPLAY: Football vs. Louisiana-Monroe | SEC Network |
| 12 p.m. | Alabama Football Press Conference | SEC Network |
Tuesday, September 29
| Time | Event | Network |
|---|---|---|
| 7 p.m. | Volleyball vs. Alabama State | SEC Network + |
| 8 p.m. | SEC Storied: In Search of Derrick Thomas | SEC Network |
| 10 p.m. | REPLAY: Football vs. Louisiana-Monroe | SEC Network |
Wednesday, September 30
| Time | Event | Network |
|---|---|---|
| 6 a.m. | SEC Storied: In Search of Derrick Thomas | SEC Network |
| 8 a.m. | SEC Storied: In Search of Derrick Thomas | SEC Network |
| 10 a.m. | SEC Storied: In Search of Derrick Thomas | SEC Network |
| 11 a.m. | REPLAY: Football vs. Louisiana-Monroe | SEC Network |
Thursday, October 1
| Time | Event | Network |
|---|---|---|
| 6 p.m. | Soccer vs. Auburn | SEC Network |
Friday, October 2
| Time | Event | Network |
|---|---|---|
| 12 a.m. | REPLAY: Soccer vs. Auburn | SEC Network |
| 4 a.m. | REPLAY: Soccer vs. Auburn | SEC Network |
| 6 p.m. | Volleyball vs. Tennessee | SEC Network+ |
Our teams need your support, so please plan to attend to do your part! A rising tide lifts all boats and it takes all of us to Keep the Tide Rising!
Roll Tide!
