Bama Football Preps For LSU; First CFP Top 25 Poll Released; Tide Student-Athletes Provide Best-Yet Halloween Extravaganza; Bama Men 2nd, Women 7th In USTFCCCA Regional Cross Country Rankings; Alabama-Mississippi State Broadcast

Alabama Football


Prep Work Continues For Matchup With LSU

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - Preparation is in full swing for the University of Alabama football team as it began the new week of practice with one hour and a quarter hours working out in shells on Monday afternoon at the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields.

Fundamentals are being stressed as the Crimson Tide prepares for a vastly improved LSU Tigers football team. The Number one Alabama Crimson Tide will host the No. 19/20 LSU Tigers this week at Bryant-Denny Stadium for a huge Southeastern Conference Western Division game. Game time is set for 7:10 p.m. CT this Saturday, and will be broadcast live by CBS. Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson will be making the call from the booth, with Allie LaForce walking the sidelines.

Both Bama and the Bengal Tigers are coming off a bye week, so the rest was good for both teams. LSU visits Tuscaloosa with a 6-2 overall record, 3-1 in the SEC. Ed Orgeron, LSU head coach, is now in his second year running the Tigers football program and is 12-4 overall.

The Crimson Tide leads the series with a 52-25-5 overall record, including a 12-7 in games played at home. Alabama has now won six consecutive meetings between the two squads dating back to the 2011 BCS National Championship Game. Most recently, Alabama came away with a 10-0 victory in Baton Rouge last year.

University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban met held his usual Monday press conference yesterday afternoon. Here is his opening statement:

"We had a very acceptable bye week last week in terms of the work and the things that we were able to do. There were a lot of opportunities for a lot of players to improve and get some repetitions. The young players especially were able to get closer to be able to play winning football. This is obviously the most challenging part of our season. We need everybody's energy and everybody's focus and intensity to prepare for the games, this game in particular. This part of the season really defines who you are, defines you as a team, and creates a total identity for the team that you are. Good preparation and focus is really important to not get lost in what's in front of you in terms of the challenges that we have starting this week with a very good LSU team.

"LSU has gotten better as the season is going on. Probably the worst thing to happen for all of us in the SEC is when they lost to Troy. They've really made a turnaround as a team, which I think speaks volumes of the coaching staff and the job Ed Orgeron has done there to get the players to re-center, refocus and work on improving. They've been very productive since that time and they're playing very well as a team.

"This game has turned into a huge rivalry through the years since I've been here especially, probably even before that. Since 2007, both teams have been ranked in the top-20 in each one of these games that we've played, and I don't think that this one is really any different. LSU has done a great job taking care of the ball this year on offense, they only have like 5 or 6 turnovers for the whole year. Offensively, they've done a great job of running the ball and they have a great running back. The quarterback has been very efficient in his passing and how he runs the offense. They've got a great receiver in #7 (DJ Chark). Their defense is ranked nationally in a lot of categories and has played very well. Pretty typical sort of LSU team in terms of how they play and what they're doing and what they're doing very well. They're always good on special teams because they have really good team speed. They've got really good returners so they're very good in the return game. All around, I think this is probably the best team we've played to this point in the season, especially the way they're playing right now. This will be certainly the most challenging game we've had to this point."

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College Football Playoff Committee

Releases First CFP Poll

The College Football Playoff committee releases its inaugural Top 25 for 2017. Chosen as No. 1 is Georgia based on "strength of schedule. The second-ranked team in the country is the ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE, the leader in the other two national polls. Of course the two may potentially go head-to-head in the Southeastern Conference Championship game. 

Five teams from the SEC made the CFP Playoff poll this first time out. Besides Georgia (1) and Alabama (2), there are Auburn (14), Mississippi State (16) and LSU (19).

So as of now, the matchups for the playoffs would be Georgia-Clemson and then Alabama-Notre Dame. Of course that is certainly subject to change.

CFP Playoff Top 25 (Week 1)

  1  Georgia (8-0)

  2  ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (8-0)

  3  Notre Dame (7-1)

  4  Clemson (7-1)

  5  Oklahoma (7-1)

  6   Ohio State (7-1) 

  7  Penn State (7-1)

  8  TCU (7-1)

  9  Wisconsin (8-0)

10  Miami (7-0)

11  Oklahoma State (7-1)

12  Washington (7-1)

13  Virginia Tech (7-1)

14  Auburn (6-2)

15  Iowa State (6-2)

16  Mississippi State (6-2)

17  USC (7-2)

18  UCF (7-0)

19  LSU (6-2)

20  NC State (6-2)

21  Stanford (6-2)

22  Arizona (6-2)

23  Memphis (7-1)

24  Michigan State (6-2)

25  Washington State (7-2)

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Crimson Tide Student-Athletes
Provide Best-Yet Halloween Extravaganza

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – More than 250 University of Alabama student-athletes provided fun, entertainment and treats for more than 2,100 children from the Tuscaloosa area on Monday night at the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility for Alabama Athletics' 15th annual Halloween Extravaganza. There were little ghosts and goblins of all ages, as well as princesses, astronauts, queens, ninjas, cats, skeletons, and more on hand last night!

The annual event is hosted by the UA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Tide's Life Skills initiative. Each team hosted activities in a night that also included a bounce house, an inflated slide as well as a Big Al sighting.

The Halloween Extravaganza is the latest in a series of events and programming designed to fulfill the Crimson Tide Life Skills' mission to provide University of Alabama student-athletes opportunities for growth through personal development and service opportunities. The goal is to empower student-athletes to be difference-makers and people of positive influence as they pursue success at Alabama and beyond.

*All Halloween Extravaganza photos courtesy of UA Athletics

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Alabama Men Are Second, Women Are Seventh In

Latest USTFCCCA Regional Cross Country Rankings

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – The latest U.S. Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) South Region rankings were released on Monday afternoon, and the University of Alabama men's cross country team moved up one spot to No. 2 while the women's team made a big jump, up five spots to No. 4.

The Crimson Tide men finished second last Friday in the SEC Cross Country Championships. It was Alabama junior Vincent Kiprop winning the men's individual title to lead a sweep of the top three spots as fellow UA juniors Gilbert Kigen and Alfred Chelanga finished in the top three, Kigen second and Chelanga third. The Bama women finished seventh to post their fifth-consecutive top-seven finish at the conference meet.

Next up for both teams will be the NCAA South Regional competition scheduled for November 10th at the Harry Pritchett Running Park in Tuscaloosa.

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Alabama-Mississippi State Broadcast

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – The 102nd meeting between Southeastern Conference Western Division teams Alabama and Mississippi State will be broadcast live by the CBS Network. The announcement came on Monday. CBS is exercising its six-day selection option for for the game with Mississippi State at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi slated for a 2:30 p.m. or 6 p.m. CT kickoff on Saturday, November 11th. The game will kick off at either 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS or 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.

Bama Soccer Falls In SEC Tournament; Crimson Tide Football No. 1 In Both Major Polls; Tide Soccer Has 3 Named All-SEC; Bama Men Top List Of Highest Paid College Football Coaches; Alabama Flips 4-Star Michigan Commit; Tide Now Has 12 Football Commits For 2018

Bama Soccer Falls In Opening Game Of SEC Tournament

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

ORANGE BEACH, Alabama – Unfortunately a second half rally fell far short of the desired results as the Alabama Crimson Tide fell to the Missouri Tigers 3-1 on Sunday putting an end to their hopes of a run in the 2017 SEC Tournament in Orange Beach, Alabama. The Tide will have to play a wait-and-see game hoping the wins and losses plus the resume is enough to put Bama into the NCAA Tournament.

University of Alabama soccer head coach Wes Hart said, "Certainty disappointed with the result today, but you have to give Missouri a lot of credit. They jumped on us early and we weren't able to answer. I applaud our group's effort for finishing the game strong and creating some chances at the end, but at the end of the day, it was too little, too late."

Hart continued, "I don't want this to take away from our season and what we have been able to accomplish. The run we had at the end of SEC play to get us into the tournament and finish the regular season in seventh was great for us. We have won 12 games and put ourselves in a position to get an NCAA berth for the third time in program history. I don't want today to define us. We will bounce back and will be better."

With the loss, Alabama falls to 12-7-1 overall, 3-7 SEC while the Missouri Tigers improved to an 8-11-1 overall, 3-7 SEC slate.

Missouri led Alabama in shots taken 16-11 as well as shots on goal 8-5. However, the Tide picked up three more corner kicks than the Tigers (9-6). It was Bama's Jimenez Delgado leading the UA offense picking up one goal on two shots on target, while senior goalkeeper Kat Stratton made five saves on the day.

Team Statistics

Game Stats	MIZ	UA
Goals	3	1
Shots	16	11
Shots on Goal	8	5
Saves	4	5
Corners	6	9
Offsides	1	0
Fouls	10	8

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Crimson Tide Football Remains No. 1 In Both Major Polls

The University of Alabama is once again the No. 1 team in the nation according to the Amway Coaches Poll. The Crimson Tide again received all the first place votes to take the top spot. Two teams from the Southeastern Conference made the Top 10, with a total of five in the Top 25. 

Those teams from the SEC making the poll are THE ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (1), Georgia (2), Auburn (15), LSU (20) and Mississippi State (22). 

Amway Coaches Poll:

  1 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

  2 Georgia

  3 Ohio State

  4 Wisconsin

  5 Clemson

  6 Miami

  7 Penn State

  8 Notre Dame

  9 Oklahoma

10 Oklahoma State

11 Washington

12 TCU

13 Virginia Tech

14 UCF

15 Auburn

16 Iowa State

17 Southern Cal

18 Stanford

19 North Carolina State

20 LSU

21 Memphis

22 Mississippi State

23 South Florida

24 Michigan

25 Arizona

The University of Alabama Crimson Tide is the No. 1 ranked team in the nation according to the Associated Press. Alabama received 59 of the first place votes, with the SEC's Georgia Bulldogs picking up the other two to place second in this week's poll. Alabama and Georgia are the only two teams from the Southeastern Conference in the Top 10. However, three other SEC teams made the Top 25. Here are the five teams representing the SEC: ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (1), Georgia (2), Auburn (16), LSU (19) and Mississippi State (21).

Associated Press Poll:

  1 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

  2 Georgia

  3 Ohio State

  4 Wisconsin

  5 Notre Dame

  6 Clemson

  7 Penn State

  8 Oklahoma

  9 Miami

10 TCU

11 Oklahoma State

12 Washington

13 Virginia Tech

14 Iowa State

15 UCF

16 Auburn

17 USC

18 Stanford

19 LSU

20 North Carolina State

21 Mississippi State

22 Memphis

23 Arizona

24 Michigan State

25 Washington State

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Alabama Crimson Tide Soccer Has 3 Named All-SEC

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – It was an outstanding regular season for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide soccer team, winning the last four games in a row to enter SEC Tournament action today. Three members of the team have been honored as All-SEC, as announced by the Southeastern Conference office today. They are senior Celia Jimenez Delgado as well as juniors Emma Welch and Abbie Boswell. Jimenez Delgado was named to the first team while Welch and Boswell were selected to the second team.

This is the first such honor for Jimenez Delgado after serving as the team captain. She was moved to defender in the latter half of the season and played in 18 matches, 16 of which as a starter. Jimenez Delgado knocked in two goals and assisted on six scores, while accumulating a total of 10 points.

Welch was named to the second team All-SEC, the first conference honor of her career as well playing in the midfield. She picked up two goals, delivered seven assists and totaled 11 points after 1465 minutes of action on the pitch. Welch ended the regular season ranked fourth in the SEC in assists and 38th in the country.

This was also the first All-SEC honor for Boswell playing at striker. After transferring from Ball State, the Illinois native has emerged as the team's top goal scorer for two consecutive years. Boswell had a season-high  eight goals for the Crimson Tide and scored two goals in each of three matches this season against Troy (September 3rd), Auburn (October 10th) and Missouri (October 22nd). In conference play, Boswell ranks amongst the top players in seven offensive categories including tying for fourth in goals and game-winning goals.

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Alabama Men Top List Of

Highest Paid College Football Coaches

UA Football Head Coach Nick Saban
Photo Credit: UA Athletics

Once again college football coaches' salaries are in the news, and a pair of Bama boys top the list. According to USA Today, Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban is the highest paid collegiate football coach in the land at $11.1 annually. Dabo Swinney, head coach of the Clemson Tigers and former player at The Capstone, is second hauling in $8.5 million.

Leaving the Crimson connection, it's Jim Harbaugh of Michigan coming in third at slightly more than $7 million annually, followed closely by Urban Meyer of Ohio State at $6.4 million. Arizona's Rich Rodriguez is fifth at $6 million. 

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Alabama Football Flips 4-Star Michigan Commit

Emil Ekiyor Jr commits to Alabama football
Twitter Photo

The University of Alabama football program has received a huge boost in the 2018 college recruiting wars. On Sunday 4-star offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor flipped his commitment to the Michigan Wolverines to the Alabama Crimson Tide. He joins 4-star tackle Tommy Brown and 3-star guard/center Jarrett Bell to bring to three the total of offensive line commits for the 2018 recruiting season. Ekiyor plays for Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. He flipped his commitment from the Wolverines to Alabama only one week after a surprise visit to Tuscaloosa, Alabama for the game against the Tennessee Volunteers. Ekiyor confirmed his choice to the coaching staff on Wednesday night but wanted to wait until Sunday to make the announcement public.

SEC Country reports that Ekiyor told them, "It just came down to my connection with the coaching staff at Alabama." He further stated he was comfortable with them, as well as "the reputation of greatness that they have and playing for arguably one of the greatest coaches of all time."

Ekiyor plans to sign his letter of intent in the early signing period in December, but won't be able to enroll until the summer.

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2018 University Of Alabama Football Commits

The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team currently has 12 student-athletes who have committed to furthering their football careers at the Capstone. As new commits and signees are announced the list will be updated and released.

Here is the complete list of 2018 commitments and signees to UA as of 10/29/17:

• Jordan Davis, DE (6-6, 240), Memphis, Tennessee
• Xavier Williams, WR/ATH (6-1, 185), Hollywood, Florida
• Quay Walker, OLF ( 6-4, 220), Cordele, Georgia
• Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB (6-0, 160), Mobile, ALABAMA*
• Skyler DeLong, P (6-4, 180), Ft. Mill, South Carolina
• Stephon Wynn, Jr., DE (6-4, 285), Anderson, South Carolina
• Tommy Brown, OT (6-5, 313), Santa Ana ,California
• Slade Bolden, ATH (5-11, 192), West Monroe, Louisiana
• Cameron Latu, DE (6-5, 236), Salt Lake City, Utah
• Jarrett Bell, OG, (6-5, 295), Norco, California
• Vernon Jackson, LB, (6-3, 240), Boling, Texas
• Emil Ekiyor, OL (6-2, 322), Indianapolis, Indiana

Three From Bama Soccer Receive All-SEC Honors; Four-Star OL Emil Ekiyor Commits To Alabama Football

Three From Alabama Crimson Tide Soccer
Receive All-SEC Honors

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – It was an outstanding regular season for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide soccer team, winning the last four games in a row to enter SEC Tournament action today. Three members of the team have been honored as All-SEC, as announced by the Southeastern Conference office today. They are senior Celia Jimenez Delgado as well as juniors Emma Welch and Abbie Boswell. Jimenez Delgado was named to the first team while Welch and Boswell were selected to the second team.

This is the first such honor for Jimenez Delgado after serving as the team captain. She was moved to defender in the latter half of the season and played in 18 matches, 16 of which as a starter. Jimenez Delgado knocked in two goals and assisted on six scores, while accumulating a total of 10 points.

Welch was named to the second team All-SEC, the first conference honor of her career as well playing in the midfield. She picked up two goals, delivered seven assists and totaled 11 points after 1465 minutes of action on the pitch. Welch ended the regular season ranked fourth in the SEC in assists and 38th in the country.

This was also the first All-SEC honor for Boswell playing at striker. After transferring from Ball State, the Illinois native has emerged as the team's top goal scorer for two consecutive years. Boswell had a season-high  eight goals for the Crimson Tide and scored two goals in each of three matches this season against Troy (September 3rd), Auburn (October 10th) and Missouri (October 22nd). In conference play, Boswell ranks amongst the top players in seven offensive categories including tying for fourth in goals and game-winning goals.

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Alabama Football Picks Up Third Offensive Lineman Commit
Flips 4-Star Michigan Commit To The Crimson Tide

Emil Ekiyor Jr commits to Alabama football
Twitter Photo

Ahh it's sweet indeed, Alabama fans. The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football program has picked up an offensive line commitment today to add to the current two, 4-star tackle Tommy Brown and 3-star guard/center Jarrett Bell. He is Emil Ekiyor, a 4-star Michigan offensive line commit from Cathedral High School (Indianapolis, Indiana). He flipped his commitment from the Wolverines to Alabama only one week after a surprise visit to Tuscaloosa, Alabama for the game against the Tennessee Volunteers. Ekiyor confirmed his choice to the coaching staff on Wednesday night but wanted to wait until today to make the public announcement.

SEC Country reports that Ekiyor told them, "It just came down to my connection with the coaching staff at Alabama." He further stated he was comfortable with them, as well as "the reputation of greatness that they have and playing for arguably one of the greatest coaches of all time."

Ekiyor plans to sign his letter of intent in the early signing period in December, but won't be able to enroll until the summer.

Bama Soccer Shuts Out Ole Miss; Crimson Tide Football Completes Bye Week Practice; Tide Women's Tennis Hosting 30th Roberta Alison Fall Classic; Crimson Tide Baseball To Host 4 Winter Camps; Bama Softball To Host 4th Annual Softball Trivia & Games Night

Alabama Crimson Tide Soccer
Shuts Out Ole Miss In Regular Season Finale

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

OXFORD, Miss. – What a way to end a regular season! The University of Alabama women's soccer team captured its fourth-consecutive Southeastern Conference victory on Thursday evening under the lights by taking down the Ole Miss Rebels 1-0 on a penalty kick. The match victory came in the 106th minute off the foot of Alabama senior Hailey Brohaugh with the game-winning penalty shot. While it was the fourth-consecutive win for the Crimson Tide (12-6-1, 4-5-1 SEC) it was the fifth loss of the season for the Rebels (10-5-3, 3-5-2 SEC).

Incidentally, the tumultuous Thursday victory snapped a six-game losing streak by the Tide to the Rebels and marked the first victory in Oxford since Alabama shut out Ole Miss 3-0 back in 1997. And get this nugget, Bama's four-game winning streak  over SEC opponents is the first such streak in Alabama women's soccer history dating back to 1998. In addition to that, Alabama's 12 wins are the most victories recorded in a single season since 2002.

Alabama soccer head coach West Hart said, "What a huge win for the program, especially looking back at where we were two weeks ago, sitting in 13th place. Our backs have been against the wall, and we have responded well. Winning four games in the SEC is not an easy task, with two of them coming on the road in difficult places. We have beaten teams that I have not beaten before [Mississippi State, Arkansas, Missouri and Ole Miss], so these were all first-time wins for me as a head coach.

"To have finished my first year here in 14th place with only five wins and 12 losses, then improve in year two, finishing in ninth place in the league, and this year improve again, jumping up to seventh in the SEC with a 12-6-1 record shows that we are moving in the right direction and the future is bright at Alabama.

Over all, Ole Miss outshot Bama 13-8, but the Tide managed to eke out a 5-4 lead in shots on goal.
In the first collegiate match of her career, redshirt freshman Alex Plavin started in goal for the Tide and registered four saves and her first conference win at Alabama.

Alabama is now set to compete in the 2017 SEC Tournament in Orange Beach, Alabama this Sunday, October 29th as the seventh seed. The Tide will take on the No. 10 seed Missouri Tigers with a 1 p.m. CT start. Sunday's match will be broadcast live on SEC Network.

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Alabama Football Completes Bye Week Practice

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - Thursday afternoon was the final bye week practice session for the University of Alabama football team. The Crimson Tide spent approximately two hours in full pads yesterday afternoon at the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields.

Bama completed its third of three scheduled practice sessions this week as the Crimson Tide continued to focus on improving fundamentals and techniques as it goes up against an improved LSU Tigers football team. The Tide's bye weekend coincides with the UA fall break, allowing the team to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of university life. Bama returns to the practice field on Monday, October 30th to begin preparations for a showdown with the 23rd-ranked LSU Tigers.

Running back Josh Jacobs (ankle) again didn't practice. Alabama football head coach Nick Saban said that Jacobs would be in a walking boot for a few days but "should be okay."

Defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand, recovering from a sprained MCL, was practicing yesterday.

The game is set for a 7 p.m. CT kickoff at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday, November 4th. The game will be broadcast live on CBS. Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson will be making the call from the booth, with Allie LaForce handling sideline duties.

The Crimson Tide leads the series 52-25-5, and is currently riding a six-game winning streak. That streak began with Bama's 21-0 win over the Tigers in the 2012 BCS National Championship.

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Alabama Women's Tennis

Hosting 30th Roberta Alison Fall Classic

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – For the next two days the University of Alabama women's tennis team will host the 30th Roberta Alison Fall Classic. The event takes place today and Saturday at the Alabama Tennis Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Representing the Crimson Tide women's tennis team right at home will be eight outstanding student-athletes. They are senior Smith Hinton, junior Andie Daniell, sophomores Alba Cortina-Pou, Luca Fabian, Kimberley Gintrand, Jacqueline Pelletier, Ann Selim, and freshman Kylie Moulin. 

The first round of doubles is being served up this morning 9 a.m. CT, and will then be followed by the first round of singles. The second round of singles will take place after lunch today.

The second round of doubles will begin on Saturday at 9 a.m.CT to be followed by the third round of doubles. After lunch, the event will conclude with the third round of singles.

Should bad weather cause a problem with the even on either day, the schedule will then be pushed back a day, with matches then being played on Sunday, October 29th.

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

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Crimson Tide Baseball To Host Four Winter Camps

Photo Credit: UA Atheletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – University of Alabama baseball head coach Brad Bohannon and his Crimson Tide baseball staff are scheduled to host four camps at the Sewell-Thomas Stadium during the Winter season. Bama will host three high school and one youth camp in the coming months.

Any of those who may be interested in attending any of the camps are asked to register at the following website: AlabamaBaseballCamps.com. Any questions regarding registration or the camp in general should be directed to Brock Bennett by phone at (205) 348-4459 or via e-mail at his university email:  bbennett@ia.ua.edu.

All camps are open to any and all entrants (limited only by number, age, grade level, and/or gender).

2017 Pitcher-Catcher Winter Camp – December 9
The Alabama "2017 Pitcher-Catcher Winter Camp" gives high school pitchers and catchers the perfect platform to display their skills to The University of Alabama coaching staff. The camp will consist of intense training and a routine designed for the camper to focus on specific aspects needed for success in high school, college and professional baseball. The pitcher-catcher clinic will also allow an individual to showcase his skills and receive instant feedback from coaches during the bullpen portion of the clinic.

The camp is open to grades 9-12 (ages 14-18). The camp runs from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. CT on Saturday, Dec. 9. Cost for the camp is $150, which includes lunch and a T-Shirt.


2017 Crimson Tide Winter Baseball School – December 21-22
The "2017 Crimson Tide Winter Baseball School" is an excellent opportunity for young players to improve and develop their skills. This two-day camp will emphasize hitting, fielding, baserunning and throwing fundamentals. The campers will have the opportunity to implement their newly acquired skills in games while also learning new drills and techniques that they can use for their own future progress.

The camp is open to eighth grade or lower (ages 6-14). The camp runs from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. CT on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 21-22. Cost for the camp is $175, which includes lunch on both days and a T-Shirt.


2018 Winter Hitting Camp – January 13
The Alabama "2018 Winter Hitting Camp" is filled with instruction, individual drills, group drills and informative sessions on the best approach to pitching and catching.
This specialized camp is for hitters who are serious about their future in baseball and want to showcase their batting skills while receiving instant feedback from coaches during the on-field batting practice portion of the clinic.

The camp is open to grades 9-12 (ages 14-18). The camp runs from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. CT on Saturday, Jan. 13. Cost for the camp is $150, which includes lunch and a T-Shirt.


2018 Showcase Camp – January 14
A high school player will have the perfect platform to display their skills to The University of Alabama coaching staff, as well as visiting college coaches from around the area. The day will consist of a comprehensive five-tool workout, as well as position-specific skill instruction.

The camp is open to grades 9-12 (ages 14-18). There will be two sessions with Session 1 running from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. and Session 2 lasting from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. CT. Cost for the camp is $150 and does not include a lunch.

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Bama Softball Set To Host Fourth Annual

Softball Trivia And Games Night

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – The Alabama softball team will be hosting its annual Alabama Softball Trivia and Games Night on Saturday, January 27th at the Embassy Suites in downtown Tuscaloosa.

Doors are scheduled to open at 6 p.m. CT with the event itself set to begin at 6:30 p.m. Tables of 10 will each participate in seven innings of trivia along with various cash games between those seven innings. Exclusive reveals regarding the 2018 season will also be announced on the night of the 27th and guests will have the opportunity to bid on a large number of items in the silent auction. There will be a buffet dinner as well as two cash bars on-site.

The event is available to adults only and guests can reserve a 10-person table for $400. To reserve a table, contact Kate Harris at kharris@ia.ua.edu.

Proceeds from the Trivia and Games Night directly benefit the Bama Softball Walk-Off Club, the official booster club of Alabama softball.

Bama Basketball Tips Off Season; Alabama Football Preps During Bye Week; Colin Cowherd Picks Against The Tide Again; Greg McElroy Says Bama Might Not Be No. 1 In First CFP Rankings; Ghosts Take Win In Tide Gymnastics Annual Ghosts & Goblins Intrasquad

Alabama Basketball Tips Off Season
With The Supe Store Tide Tipoff

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – It was a big night, a fun night! The University of Alabama men's and women's basketball teams officially welcomed in the 2017-18 season on Tuesday night hosting the third annual Supe Store Tide Tipoff. Almost 7,000 excited Crimson Tide fans packed Coleman Coliseum for the event that featured a three-point contest from women's team, as well as an intrasquad scrimmage and a dunk exhibition from the men's team.

UA men's basketball head coach Avery Johnson said, "Wow, what a night to have both our men's and women's teams represented. I think both teams put on a great show. Our girls had great attitudes and Coach Kristy (Curry) has done such a marvelous job with them in the way they carry themselves on and off the court. It's just a wonderful partnership. It's just so easy for me to support our Women's team. Even when I don't have an invitation or a reservation, she (Coach Kristy) allows me to come to her practices and just support our young ladies and all of their endeavors. I just can't wait to see our women's basketball team perform this year in non-conference and in conference play.

"Tonight was a celebration of community. A community that supports both teams, a community that's behind us 1,000-percent through all of the great wins and the tough losses. They understand that both of our visions are very similar. We are striving and trying to reach the same goals to really represent the University of Alabama, especially in the postseason and the NCAA tournament. But we both understand that we have a lot of work to do. The guys had a lot of fun, they tried to put on a show for our fans and I think they did that."                                         

Alabama women's basketball head coach Kristy Curry commented, "We had a great crowd, a great student crowd, and we really appreciate our community coming out on a Tuesday night. We are very excited (for the season). We return more points than anyone in the SEC, and last year was the first time to win 20 games in 19 years. Our goal is to take this thing back to the NCAA tournament for the first time in a long time. We had a great practice this morning for about three-and-a-half hours, so we declined to scrimmage because we knew we had a great show coming with our guys. How much fun it is to see this incredible freshman class blended in with a great group of returnees. Thanks for coming out to support us tonight."

Both the men's and women's teams signed autographs for almost an hour  then began the on-court activities with an introduction of the women's team followed by a three-point contest, which combined randomly selected fans from the crowd along with several of the women's players. Then after the women's portion of the event, the night continued with half-court shot attempts by two students for a possible $25,000 prize. The men's team then was introduced, which was followed by a 20-minute intrasquad scrimmage between the crimson and white teams. The night concluded with a dunking exhibition.

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

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Alabama Football

Crimson Tide Preps During Bye Week

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - The University of Alabama football team returned to the practice field on Tuesday afternoon for a two-hour workout in shells at the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields on the UA campus. This was the first of three workouts during the bye week. The practice principally focused on fundamental execution and cleaning up mistakes from the Tennessee game and any shortcomings from the first half of the season.

Though off this coming Saturday, the Crimson Tide must face a top 25 and Southeastern Conference Western Division foe LSU the following week. The Tide and Tigers will meet on November 4th for a 7 p.m. CT kickoff at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game will air live on the CBS network, with Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson in the booth, and Allie LaForce working the broadcast from the sidelines.

Bama leads the all-time series 52-25-5 all-time against LSU, including a 12-7 slate at home. The Tide has won six consecutive meetings between the two squads dating back to the 2011 BCS National Championship Game. Most recently, Alabama defeated LSU 10-0 in Baton Rouge last season.

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Colin Cowherd Picks Against Alabama Again

Colin Cowherd again picks against the Crimson Tide
Photo Credit: FS1

It's not new. It's not a surprise. Just the way he is.

Colin Cowherd has again picked against the University of Alabama football team. At least he has the Crimson Tide showing up in the College Football Playoffs, but still picks against the Tide when it comes to the National Championship.

The FS1 host, speaking on his show The Herd on Tuesday, said, "I picked Ohio State to win the national championship. I think they're going to beat Penn State by seven to ten points and I think they're going to end up in the national championship game. I think they're probably going to end up against Alabama, and I think they're going to house them. I really do. I don't think Alabama's going to move the ball on Ohio State."

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Greg McElroy Says Alabama Crimson Tide

May Not Be No. 1 In First CFP National Rankings

Greg McElroy
Photo Credit: LarryBrownSports.com

Before we go any further, former University of Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy is speaking from his head and not his heart.  He is doing his job.

ESPN's Greg McElroy says that although the Alabama Crimson Tide is currently undefeated at 8-0, No. 1 in both major polls (AP & Amway Coaches), and is outscoring its opponents by an average of 33.3 points per game, the boys from Bama actually may not be No. 1 in the first CFP rankings that come out in another week. It's possible a Big 10 team could be there. 

Especially if Penn State handles Ohio State. 

The resume of Penn State would be quite impressive, especially after the 42-13 shellacking the Nittany Lions gave Michigan last week in the Happy Valley whiteout game. No. 2 Penn State meets No. 6 Ohio State this week and then No. 16 Michigan State the following week. The CFP vote takes into effect the resume. Alabama will face ranked LSU in a week and a half, the first nationally ranked team since FSU in week one.

Fear not, Bama faithful. Four go in.

Only one wins it all.

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Ghosts Take Win In Alabama Gymnastics 

Annual Ghosts And Goblins Intrasquad On Tuesday

Alabama Gymnastics' Gorgeous Ghosts
Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – It's two-consecutive wins! The University of Alabama gymnastics Ghost squad picked up its second-consecutive win in the annual Alabama gymnastics Ghosts and Goblins Intrasquad on Tuesday evening in front of a packed house in the Frances Smith Practice Facility. It was the Ghosts' third win in six years and only the fourth victory in the past 14 years.

Crimson Tide gymnastics head coach Dana Duckworth said, "Our word for today was teamwork. Everyone contributed today. I could go up and down our roster and pick out something great about each and every gymnast tonight. In the end, it came down to landings, which I think is a great lesson for us to learn at this point in the season."

The Ghosts captured the victory with a 3-point victory, 50-47. Those representing the winning Ghosts are seniors Kiana Winston and Jennie Loeb, junior Ariana Guerra, sophomores Maddie Desch, Shea Mahoney and Wynter Childers and freshmen Alonza Klopfer and Lexi Graber.

Representing the Goblins were seniors Nickie Guerrero and Mackenzie Brannan, juniors Angelina Giancroce and Abby Armbrecht, sophomore Peyton Ernst as well as freshmen Kylie Dickson and Bailie Key.

Bama Football Coaches Name 7 As Players Of The Week; Levi Wallace Is Honored By SEC; UA-LSU Game Time Set; UA Gymnastics To Hold Annual Ghosts & Goblins Intrasquad; Tide Soccer's Chloe Maize Named SEC Freshman Of The Week; Alabama Swimming & Diving To Face Florida

Crimson Tide Football Coaching Staff
Names Seven As Players Of The Week

UA Football Coaching Staff
Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – Seven players for the University of Alabama football team have been selected as Players of the Week by the Crimson Tide coaching staff following Bama's 45-7 win over the Tennessee Volunteers last Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Those honored from the offense are  Hale Hentges and Ross Pierschbacher, as well as Raekwon Davis and Levi Wallace from the defense. Those selected from special teams are Keith Holcombe, Hootie Jones and Deionte Thompson These are the seven players the coaches believed earned a little extra recognition for their performance this past Saturday.

Pierschbacher did a fine job on Saturday, recording one knockdown block as well as providing outstanding protection to the two quarterbacks, Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa. Pierschbacher didn't surrender a sack or allow a quarterback hurry, and graded out at 89 percent from his left guard position. Hentges, too, provided key blocks in Saturday's big win, helping the Tide's rushing attack. He also caught two passes for 34 yards en route to his second weekly honors.

Defensively, Wallace led all UA players in production points, finishing the game with six tackles as well as four solo stops. He had a career-high three tackles for loss (-19 yards) as well as a career-best two sacks (-18 yards) and added a quarterback hurry. Davis produced four tackles with two solo stops while anchoring a defensive line that allowed just 64 yards rushing. The sophomore lineman contributed one one sack, increasing his team-leading total to 5.5 for the season.

Holcombe, Jones and Thompson all contributed with excellent play providing kickoff coverage, helping to limit the return game for the Volunteers. Holcombe finished the day with two stops on return coverage, while Jones and Thompson each added a tackle apiece.

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Alabama Football's Levi Wallace
Named SEC Co-Defensive Player Of The Week

Levi Wallace
SEC Co-Defensive Player Of The Week
Photo Credit: UA Athletics

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – One member of the University of Alabama defense was honored by the Southeastern Conference yesterday. Crimson Tide senior defensive back Levi Wallace was selected as Southeastern Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Week. The announcement was made by the SEC office on Monday. Wallace was honored for his outstanding play in Bama's 45-7 win over the Tennessee Volunteers this past Saturday. The selection is the second conference defensive player of the week honor of his career.

Wallace finished the UA-UT contest with six tackles, including four solo stops, as the Tide held the Volunteers to just 108 total yards and no offensive points. Wallace also picked up the first two sacks of his career (-18 yards) as well as a career-high three tackles for loss (-19) in addition to one quarterback hurry as Bama held the Volunteers to only 44 passing yards.

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Alabama-LSU Game Time Set

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – Get ready for the Crimson Tide to face a vastly improving LSU team. Alabama's game against the LSU Tigers on Saturday, November 4th has been set for a 7 p.m. CT kickoff on the CBS network. The announcement was made by the SEC office on Monday.

This will be the 82nd meeting between bull elephants and tigers. Alabama leads the all-time series 51-25-5, and captured the win last season 10-0 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. UA has won the last six meetings between the two schools, including a 30-16 win the last time the Tigers visited Tuscaloosa in 2015.

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UA Gymnastics To Hold Annual Ghosts & Goblins Intrasquad

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - It's that time of year again. A little fun for the fans. The Alabama gymnastics team will host its annual Ghosts and Goblins intrasquad tonight at the Frances Smith Practice Facility in Coleman Coliseum.

Doors will open at 5:45 p.m. CT, with competition getting underway at 6 p.m. Fans will be admitted to Coleman Coliseum at the southeast corner (the UA Law School side of the Coliseum). The event is slated to last about an hour and seats are limited.

The Ghosts are looking for their second-consecutive victory and just the fourth in the past 14 years, while the Goblins are looking for their 11th title over the same period. Three All-Americans will be on hand tonight, Mackenzie Brannan, Nickie Guerrero and Kiana Winston. Bama will also be introducing four new freshmen members of the squad. They are Kylie Dickson, Lexi Graber, Bailie Key and Alonza Klopfer. And, of course, gymnastics head coach Dana Duckworth will be on hand.

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Crimson Tide Soccer's Chloe Maize
Named SEC Freshman Of The Week

UA Soccer Redshirt Freshman Chloe Maize
Photo Credit: UA Athletics

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – She picked up the game-winning goal on Thursday, and because of that and her consistent play University of Alabama freshman forward Chloe Maize has been named as the SEC Freshman of the Week. The announcement was made on Monday by the Southeastern Conference office. 

Maize picked up her second goal of the season and the first game-winner of the year against Arkansas last week. The win snapped a two-game losing streak to the Razorbacks.

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Alabama Crimson Tide Swimming & Diving

Opens Home And Southeastern Conference Schedule

University of Alabama Swimming & Diving
Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – It's both the home and Southeastern Conference opener for the University of Alabama swimming and diving teams this Wednesday in the Alabama Aquatic Center against SEC rival Florida. The diving portion of the meet is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. CT while the swimming events will start at 2 p.m. CT.

Crimson Tide swimming and diving head coach Dennis Pursley said, "Florida's philosophy is very similar to ours. They put their emphasis on the championship meets at the end just like we do. So I expect both teams will come into this meet off hard training. I think for us, it's an important challenge to compete with mental toughness, a lot of spirit and a competitive aggressiveness in situations where we might be physically tired."

UA opens SEC competition at home after posting road victories over Delta State in mid-September. It will also be Alabama's annual Power of Pink meet. The Power of Pink initiative helps to raise awareness in the fight against breast cancer. The Tide will be giving away Power of Pink tee shirts as well as pink shakers to the first 75 fans to enter, plus the first 100 Alabama students through the door will receive free pizza.

Pursley continued, "This is a way that we can support a vital cause and a worthy message. I think an event like this helps our student-athletes put things in perspective and hone in on what's really important."