Alabama Athletics Opens Life Skills and SAAC Slate with Crimson Kickoff Mixer
8/27/2019 3:53:00 PM | General
The annual event brought a mix of Crimson Tide rookies, upperclassmen and staff together to get the new academic year started
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama Athletics' Life Skills program and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) closed the first week of fall classes with the Crimson Kickoff Mixer for the Tide's freshmen and transfers, as well as a BBQ for all student-athletes, coaches and staff.
"One of the things we really want to get across to the freshmen and the transfers is to get out and meet new people," SAAC president and track and field senior Alize Ford said. "That's really what today is about, discovering the benefit of putting yourself out there."
The afternoon started with the rookies getting together in Alabama's Indoor Practice Facility, breaking into groups and playing a variety of games including cornhole as well as giant versions of Jenga, Connect Four and checkers.
"I've really been enjoying my experience here," women's basketball freshman Ahriahna Grizzle said. "I've been able to meet a lot of new people and get involved with a lot of different activities."
The rookies had a chance to mix and mingle with fellow newcomers from other teams, getting to know one another over the course of the afternoon.
"I didn't know what this was going to be coming in, but it's nice to know every athlete here is super cool," baseball rookie Jim Jarvis said. "Everyone here is super welcoming and the energy has been nice. It's been really easy to fit in with different people. Everyone has been easy going and easy to talk to."
Meeting student-athletes from other teams deepens the sense of community among the Tide's rookies.
"It's been great meeting athletes from different sports and learning about them and how their training compares to ours and all the things that they go through," Jarvis said. "It's nice to be able to relate what you're going through with someone else."
The Crimson Kickoff is just the first in a year-long slate of programming designed to fulfill Alabama Life Skill's mission to provide opportunities for growth through personal development and service initiatives, empowering Crimson Tide student-athletes to be difference makers and people of positive influence as they pursue success at Alabama and beyond.
All the latest information on Alabama Athletics can be found via @UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook. You can follow Alabama's Life Skills program on Twitter and Instagram at @TIDE_Enhance.
