The Crimson Column presented by Mercedes-Benz
3/22/2018 1:14:00 PM | General
Alberta Head Start Unity Project
Earlier today, we announced our ongoing unity project with Alberta Head Start, which will officially kick off on Friday. I am so proud of our student-athletes for coming up with this project as a way to use their platforms to make an impact on our community, not only by volunteering to assist with the school's needs, but also by promoting positive dialogue while illustrating respect, tolerance, acceptance and compassion.
Women's Basketball Hosts Georgia Tech in WNIT Round of 16 Tonight
I hope to see many of you at tonight's women's basketball game as we host Georgia Tech in the round of 16 of the Women's National Invitation Tournament. As you may recall, this is a rematch of last year's WNIT quarterfinal game, which fell in the Yellow Jacket's favor by 10 points over in Atlanta. A great home-court advantage is key in these games down the stretch, so let's do our best to make that happen for our student-athletes, coaches and staff, who have worked hard to get to this point!
Women's Tennis, Softball and Rowing in Town
In addition to women's basketball tonight, we've got women's tennis, softball and rowing in action in Tuscaloosa this week. Our tennis team takes on Florida at the Alabama Tennis Stadium tonight at 5 p.m. and will be back in action on Saturday against South Carolina at 1 p.m. Softball opens its series with Ole Miss on Friday at 6:30 p.m., while game two is schedule for Saturday at 2 p.m. and the final matchup on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Rowing hosts the Crimson Tide Invitational on Saturday, with the first session beginning at 8 a.m. and the second at 1 p.m.
Built by Bama Service Award
Everyone appreciates a pat on the back for a job well done, and for the past few years, the Alabama Department of Athletics has done just that by way of the Built by Bama Service Award. I've shared some of our winners over the past year on Twitter, which you may have seen, and I am going to begin highlighting them here as well in the Crimson Column. Typically, the award goes to an individual, however our last recipient was the entire TIDE PRIDE/ticket office staff. We are so appreciative of the job this group does all year, but in particular, when having to navigate through quick turnarounds and new systems in the postseason.
Crimson Choice Awards
We have less than a month until our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Life Skills program put on the annual Crimson Choice Awards in April. This is a grand event each year where we recognize the best and brightest Alabama Athletics has to offer. You can follow @UA_SAAC on Twitter for its daily countdown, which includes an interesting fact about the Crimson Tide to correspond with each number in the countdown.
Men's Basketball Wins first NCAA Tournament game since 2006; Reaches 20 Wins
The 2017-18 men's basketball team finished its season with a 20-16 overall record and earned the No. 9 seed in the 2018 NCAA Tournament East Region – its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2012. The Tide didn't stop there, defeating eighth-seeded Virginia Tech, 86-83, in the first round of play to secure its first NCAA tournament victory since 2006. Additionally, the team hit the 20-win mark for the first time since the 2012-13 season, which is quite the accomplishment considering Alabama finished with the nation's No. 4-ranked strength of schedule.
NCAA Swimming and Diving
Our men are in Minneapolis this week for the NCAA championships, while seven of our swimmers earned All-America honors during last week's NCAA women's championships in Columbus, Ohio. Good luck to our men and congrats to our women on closing out the season well!
Balancing Academics and Athletics
Balanced excellence is one of the things we strive for here at Alabama and that balance between athletics and academics has been on full display as of late. Of the nine Crimson Tide men taking part in this week's NCAA swimming and diving championships in Minneapolis, Minnesota, eight earned better than a 3.4 grade point average in the fall, including two, Luke Kaliszak and Robert Howard, who earned 4.0. Also, nine members of our women's basketball team, playing in the round of 16 of the WNIT tonight, earned a 3.0 or better GPA in the fall, with Quanetria Bolton earning a 4.0. We also saw six of our nine swimmers who competed at the women's NCAA swimming and diving championships last week earn better than a 3.2 GPA last semester, including a 4.0 from Temarie Tomley. The men's basketball team, which completed its NCAA tourney run last week, had seven student-athletes post GPAs better than 3.0, with three of those - Collin Sexton, Herbert Jones and Tyler Barnes - earning 4.0s. So much to be proud of as our winter sports finish up their seasons.
Men's Golf Wins Fourth Title of the Season
Our men's golf team picked up its first tournament win of the spring, and fourth in seven tournaments this season, on Tuesday at the Linger Longer Invitational in Greensboro, Georgia. The team carded a final round total of 7-under par 281, while senior Lee Hodges earned medalist honors. Congratulations to our coaches and student-athletes on a job well done!
CTF Day at Baseball on Deck
Next Saturday, Alabama baseball and the Crimson Tide Foundation will celebrate the contributions of donors to the Department of Athletics by hosting CTF Day at the game against Kentucky. Featured supporters will have the opportunity to participate in various activities including watching warm-ups, special seating and other VIP experiences. The current Sewell-Thomas Stadium would not be possible without the generosity of our donors, and we are grateful for their contributions. CTF Day at baseball is an opportunity for us to recognize the tremendous impact made by those who give to Alabama Athletics through the Crimson Tide Foundation and communicate with fans on game day about the importance of supporting our program and outstanding student-athletes. For information about the CTF or to make a contribution, please visit crimsontidefoundation.org.
SEC Gymnastics Championships
After closing out the regular season last week against No. 1 Oklahoma, Alabama gets the championship season going this Saturday in St. Louis, Missouri, with the Southeastern Conference Championships, where we have finished in the top-three each of the last 19 years and have won nine league titles since the first in 1988. Following SECs, we return home to host the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional Championships on April 7 at 4 p.m. Make your plans to join us now as we continue on the Road to Nationals!
University Spotlight
Looking for something to do with the kids on Sunday? If so, the Alabama Panhellenic Association will be hosting its annual Easter Egg Hunt on the front lawn of the President's Mansion from 2-4 p.m. (unless, of course, all the eggs are found before then!) for children 12 and under. In addition to the egg hunt, there will be refreshments provided by Bama Dining and a face painting station.
#RollTideFriday
For this week's #RollTideFriday features, I'm flipping the script. Need some fresh ideas on how you and your family can show your support of the Tide? Check out our weekly #BamaStyle posts on social media for some great options! Here are a couple of the most recent.
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
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