Bama Swimmer Robert Howard Wins
100-Meter Freestyle In 2017 U.S. Open
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| Robert Howard Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
EAST MEADOW, New York – University of Alabama Crimson Tide swimmer Robert Howard opened the 2017 U.S. Open with a big win in the men's 100-meter freestyle. The U.S. Open is being held in East Meadow, New York at the Nassau County Aquatics Center this week.
Howard cut more than half a second off his previous career best in the preliminaries on Wednesday morning with a time of 49.19, before shaving 15 hundredths of a second off that time in the finals, posting a 49.04 to take the victory. It was Bama alum BJ Hornikel capturing the bronze medal in the 100m freestyle after posting a 49.25 in finals.
Crimson Tide junior Laurent Bams took 14th place with a time of 50.99, while senior Christopher Reid was 15th after touching the wall at 51.00. Bams turned in a time of 50.52 while Reid posted a 50.71 in prelims.
It was Alabama senior Mia Nonnenberg jumping up a full six spots from preliminaries to finals in the 200-meter butterfly, shaving more than two seconds off her prelims time of 2:16.51 to finish in 18th place with a time of 2:14.15 in finals.
Crimson Tide swimmers have two races today. Nonnenberg will race the 400-meter freestyle while Reid will go in one of his specialties, the 200-meter backstroke.
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Saban Hosts 11th Annual Nick's Kids Foundation Luncheon
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| Loving what he does! Alabama football head coach Nick Saban Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
The Nick's Kids Foundation is the official charity of Nick Saban and his family, Nick and Terry have invested both their time and energy hosting luncheons, golf tournaments, scrimmages and other events to benefit this very worthwhile cause. Culminating in the Annual Fall Giveaway, the proceeds are given in support of children, family, teacher and student causes.
Saban commented, "We always try to look for ways to give back. It's an example that we want to set for the community, as well as our players. It's like my dad always said, 'no man stands as tall as when he stoops to help a child.' I think what we've been able to do here, I hope, has had some significance in helping some young people, whether it was improving their quality of life or improving their opportunity in life."
The Saban's have giving time and again, and enjoy doing so. Some of the Nick's Kids Foundation projects include 16 for 16 Home Building Project with Habitat for Humanity, the Nick's Kids Playground along the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk, Teacher's Excellence Awards Luncheon and the Nick's Kids Playground at Alberta Performing Arts School. Nick's Kids was also a contributor to the new YMCA of Tuscaloosa and was instrumental in the renovating of the STTEP Building at Brewer Porch Children's Center.
"We're happy to do this," Saban continued. "I find myself now thinking of how can we make our contributions better, how can we make the luncheon bigger, how can we do something that will be even more long lasting for all these young people."
Joining the Saban family at the annual luncheon were student-athletes Bradley Bozeman, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Robert Foster, Jamar King, Shaun Dion Hamilton, J.C. Hassenauer, Hale Hentges, Jalen Hurts, Ross Pierschbacher and Levi Wallace.
The Nick's Kids Foundation is not the only way the Sabans have contributed to the community. They have also been generous with their personal donations to The University of Alabama's scholarship fund. In June of 2008, Nick and Terry made a $1 million pledge to the University for first-generation scholarships.
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Former Tide WR Falkins At Nicholls State
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| Photo Courtesy Gridironnow.com |
Former University of Alabama wide receiver Raheem Falkins will now be playing football for Nicholls State. Nicholls is an FCS school in Louisiana, Falkins' home state. He is a senior and is officially listed on the roster at the school.
Falkins left The Capstone back in March after having played in 19 games in four years with the Crimson Tide, including four last season.
Falkins left The Capstone back in March after having played in 19 games in four years with the Crimson Tide, including four last season.
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University Of Alabama In Top 5
Of Undergraduate Football Players With Degrees
The University of Alabama not only excels on the field, but academically as well. The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame has released their list of student-athletes already having earned their undergraduate degrees and will be playing college football this fall while pursuing second diplomas. Of the 954 on that list, 12 are Crimson Tide football players. That number, 12, incidentally, ties with TCU, Oregon and Central Florida as the fourth-most nationally among 123 schools in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Five of the 12 playing for Bama this coming season are projected as starters when the Tide opens against FSU this fall. Here are the 12 from UA making the list:
Bradley Bozeman, OL
Tony Brown, DB
Hunter Bryant, TE
Bo Grant, DB
Shaun Dion Hamilton, LB
J.C. Hassenauer, OL
Vohn Keith, DL
Derek Kief, WR
Andy Pappanastos, K
Ross Pierschbacher, OL
Levi Wallace, DB
