Crimson Column presented by Mercedes-Benz
12/21/2017 6:04:00 PM | General
Happy Holidays from Alabama Athletics!
On behalf of the Alabama Department of Athletics, I would like to wish you and your loved ones the happiest of holidays. May your celebrations be merry and your season bright!
Limited Number of Tickets Remaining for Vulcan Classic
Tickets are going quickly for Friday's Vulcan Classic in Birmingham at Legacy Arena, so be sure not to miss out by picking yours up today! We had a great crowd in Huntsville on Tuesday night, so let's keep the momentum rolling. Prior to the game, the pep band, cheerleaders and Big Al will interact with fans in a pep rally in the Uptown District beginning at 6 p.m. The entertainment will continue in the arena as Santa Claus will be on hand in the concourse to take photographs with children, and the Beale Street Flippers are scheduled to perform at halftime. Don't forget about the arena's clear bag policy as well.
December Graduates
We are very excited for the 50 Crimson Tide student-athletes that received their degrees during last Saturday's commencement ceremonies. That total included 12 All-Americans, two NCAA champions, two world champions and one Olympic gold medalist. There are also 13 members of this year's football team that earned their degrees, which, combined with the 12 that had their degree in hand before this season got underway, gives us 25 members of our Sugar Bowl roster who will be able to wear the Southeastern Conference graduate patch on their uniform, a great accomplishment for this team. We are extremely proud of all our graduates for fulfilling our ultimate mission here at The University of Alabama – to provide a quality education that will hold them in good stead for the rest of their lives.
College Football Playoff Participants Giving Challenge
We have an exciting challenge on our hands! As our football team prepares for the College Football Playoff at the Allstate Sugar Bowl, our fans have a way of getting in the game. The four universities participating in the College Football Playoff semifinals are also competing in a Giving Challenge that will begin on December 28 and end on December 31.
Now, this is based on participation, so we need as much support as possible. Remember any size gift counts, so please contribute whatever you feel comfortable with. Gifts contributed during the challenge will be designated for the Crimson Tide Scholarship Fund (CTSF). The CTSF supports the annual scholarship need for our outstanding student-athletes.
We can't do it without you, so when you are making your end-of-year giving plans, please remember to support the Crimson Tide Foundation during this challenge. Help us not only beat Clemson on the field, but also beat the Tigers, Sooners and Bulldogs in giving participation! Your gift makes a difference every day, but on December 28-31 it will also count in the Giving Challenge. Visit crimsontidefoundation.org/GivingChallenge to make your gift or for more information. Follow @UACTF on social media to get updates about the Challenge.
Sugar Bowl Fan Activities
For those of you traveling to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl, be sure to check out all of the events surrounding the game including the Allstate Fan Fest, which will be the site of our pep rally on Sunday, December 31, the Allstate Sugar Bowl Fan Jam and the New Year's Eve Parade. The Nick Saban Radio Show will also air live from the New Orleans Marriott on Saturday, December 30 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Bryant, Ogilvie and Stallings Named to Inaugural Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame Class
Bear Bryant, Major Ogilvie and Gene Stallings were three of the 16 honorees named to the Sugar Bowl's inaugural Hall of Fame class. We look forward to being in attendance on January 1 when these legends are recognized during the pregame ceremonies.
Tax Bill Implications on TIDE PRIDE Donations
As you may know, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is expected to have a wide-ranging impact on collegiate athletics across the country. At Alabama, preferred seat donations, such as the contribution made to TIDE PRIDE, are currently considered 80 percent tax deductible under IRS code. Both the House and Senate versions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act currently eliminate the existing deductibility of charitable contributions to organizations such as TIDE PRIDE when a donor receives seating rights in exchange for the contribution.
While the deadline to make your contribution to TIDE PRIDE remains February 1, fans might want to consider making a contribution prior to December 31, 2017, in anticipation of these potential changes in tax law after consulting with your own tax advisors to determine whether this opportunity is of value to you.
In addition to the TIDE PRIDE tax deductibility issues, we do not currently know how (or if) contributions to the Crimson Tide Foundation (CTF) will be impacted by this legislation, should it pass. Currently, CTF gifts are receipted at 80 percent if you accept Tide Totals Priority Points for the contribution. The final language of the bill will determine if gifts with associated benefits, such as points, will be impacted. As you discuss your options regarding this legislation with your tax professional, you might consider also discussing your 2018 contribution plans to determine if a gift prior to December 31, 2017, would potentially benefit you.
Should this legislation pass, the TIDE PRIDE program will still continue for the 2018-2019 season in all applicable sports. We are currently assessing the situation in order to analyze the potential impact and discussing how to move forward should this legislation become law.
University Spotlight
Congratulations to The University of Alabama's advertising and public relations department for being named a top-five finalist for Outstanding Education Program in the 2018 PRWeek Awards. This is the eighth time in the 10 years of the award that Alabama has been recognized.
#RollTideFriday
Our #RollTideFriday features this week come from both near and far. Ashley's got her script A on while visiting Versailles in France, and our local furry fan of the week, Kodiak, is looking great in his Alabama shades and necklace.
Ashley's got her script A on while visiting Versailles in France
Kodiak, is looking great in his Alabama shades and necklace
Remember to use the hashtag #RollTideFriday in your social posts and tweet your photos to me at @Greg_Byrne. We will select two photos to feature in each blog and add even more to our #RollTideFriday Fan Hub.
Upcoming Schedule of Events
View the list of upcoming events, broadcast information, start times and stat links on our composite calendar. (Note: All times are listed in Central Time.)
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