Tide ready to roll against Kent State
Tuscaloosa News – Sept. 2
An estimated 130,000 to 150,000 people are expected to descend on Tuscaloosa on Saturday for the 11:21 a.m. kickoff of the Crimson Tide’s season opener against Kent State University. The fall football season comes four months after the April 27 tornado, but city and University of Alabama officials say the city and university will be ready for fans. Game-day activities on the Quad begin with the Walk of Champions and the Elephant Stomp. The Walk of Champions begins about 9:20 a.m. Saturday, when members of the UA football team will get off buses on the north side of Bryant-Denny Stadium at University Boulevard and walk down the Walk of Champions into the stadium. The Elephant Stomp on the steps of Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library on the Quad will begin about 9:55 a.m. with a pep rally, followed by the band’s march to the stadium. The drum line begins two hours before kickoff…
WAAY (Huntsville) – Sept. 1
WAFF (Huntsville) – Sept. 1
WAKA (Montgomery) – Sept. 1
WTVY (Dothan) – Sept. 1
WEAR (Mobile) – Sept. 1
KGAN (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) – Sept. 1
WSFA (Montgomery) – Sept. 1
Opinion: College football season means a lot this year
Tuscaloosa News – Sept. 2
…We’re quite certain the rest of this community feels the same way — and not just because the Crimson Tide has reclaimed its rightful place as a perennial contender for the national championship. Tuscaloosans endured the most traumatic event in their history on April 27. Lives and the efforts of lifetimes were lost. Homes and businesses destroyed. The familiar landscape transformed into something alien, barren, forlorn. But something else transformative happened on that horrific day. While the city of buildings and trees, subdivisions and business districts, was ripped apart, the community was not. Strangers became neighbors. The better angels of our nature emerged. Tuscaloosa became stronger, not weaker…And rally this community did. Saban and the Alabama football team have played no small part in this, thanks to their ongoing efforts in the recovery. We are grateful to them and to all who have put others first in the months since the storm. Ironically, they have helped remind us to keep football in the proper perspective…
Mal Moore talks about April 27 tornado and football season
NBC13 (Birmingham) – Sept. 1
University of Alabama Athletic Director Mal Moore has gone through about 45 football seasons in Tuscaloosa, but he’d never seen anything like he saw that day. “It was the most devastating thing that I’ve ever seen or witnessed, and I tell people whatever, that haven’t been here or didn’t see it, whatever they’re thinking, it was worse.”
Ala. prepared to help children in disasters
FOX10 (Mobile) – Sept. 1
The state of Alabama is among the leading states in disaster preparedness and safety for children during disasters. It is one of 17 states that meets the four basic preparedness criteria set by the Save the Children’s U.S. Programs…Save the Children’s U.S. Programs has been working closely with communities across northern Alabama to help them meet children’s needs. A new partnership with the Tuscaloosa City School District and the University of Alabama will result in Save the Children delivering its emotional recovery programs to children and adult caregivers throughout the region…
Marchers ready for field
Florence Times-Journal – Sept. 2
Band members from Auburn University and the University of Alabama are ready to take the field as football season for the two schools kicks off Saturday. UA sophomore trumpet player Miranda Ward said she is looking forward to the season, and hopes the season serves as a symbol of hope for the Tuscaloosa community, which was ravaged by deadly tornadoes on April 27. “I think it’s going to be especially good for those who were devastated by the storms because it will help get their minds off what happened,” Ward said. “The Kent State players have actually been here helping rebuild homes in the area, so it will be a very special first game.” The band is planning a tribute for the first game to include “Taps,” “My Home’s in Alabama,” and “Amazing Grace.”…
Zoes Kitchen to raise money for Rise
Tuscaloosa News – Sept. 2
Zoes Kitchen restaurants will raise money for the Rise program at the University of Alabama in honor of Zoe Bromberg, the granddaughter of the founders of Zoes Kitchen.Through Sept. 15, Zoes Kitchen will donate $5 to the Rise program for each Dinner for Four sold at its restaurants in Birmingham, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa. Zoe Bromberg was the granddaughter of Zoes Kitchen founders Marcus and Zoe Cassimus. Bromberg, 23, a University of Alabama graduate and member of Kappa Delta sorority, died in a traffic accident on July 12. Founded in 1974, the Rise program serves children in the West Alabama area who have known or suspected disabilities. The Stallings Center, named for former University of Alabama football coach and Rise advocate Gene Stallings, was built in 1994 at the University of Alabama to house the Rise program.
WBRC-Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Sept. 1