Bama's Biggest Fan Passes
Shirley Jean Cole Smith
October 26, 1937 - January 19, 2017
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| Billy (left), Randy (center) & Shirley Smith Celebrating Billy & Shirley's 62nd Anniversary In Aug. 2016 |
I offer to you a wonderful lady, a truly generous person and a genuine Christian: Shirley Jean Cole Smith. She was born to L.A. & Elowea Cole, who preceded her in death. She was the last of the Cole family consisting of Arnold and Elowea, parents, as well as their children Ferrell, Shirley, Billy, Lee and James.
Elowea was the first to depart this life, followed by James, Billy, Lee and finally, yesterday evening, Shirley.
Shirley departed this life wearing her Alabama Elephant pajamas, decked out in Crimson sheets, and her Alabama Roll Tide blanket. She had the name of Jesus upon her lips days earlier and the sword of the Spirit as her defense. She was ushered into the presence of her Lord at approximately 8:12 p.m. CT last night as she left a body ravaged by Alzheimer's disease and stepped into heaven in a new body, with a sharp mind, a smile on her face and looking upon the faces of her departed family, including my own deceased daughter, Katelann Breanne, who would be celebrating her 24th birthday today.
She leaves behind her husband, Billy Smith, who was able to come to her bedside from a hospital stay in Jackson, Tennessee, but was forced to return just over an hour before she departed this life. Also, she leaves her children, Randy, Rick, Deb and Ron. She also leaves four children as well as seven great-grandchildren. Incidentally, she leaves behind a family of Christian brothers and sister who loved her and found her also to be a true and trusted friend.
She left this life as most of her family was gathered around her last night. I spoke to her and told her I loved her, reminding her of who I was, and thanking her for the mom and friend that she was. Less than 2 minutes later she met her Lord for the first time, NEVER having forgotten his name as she forgot all the names of her closest family. As late as early this week she still smiled and nodded at hearing the Name of Jesus spoken to her.
Shirley gave her all to her church, family, friends and even strangers. I have been with her, when on more than one occasion, she gave money to a person who was in need, or a ride to the doctor or other destination until her driving privileges were taken back in 2011 due to the dreadful disease that all too early took her from us.
She loved her Crimson Tide, especially her football team. She, along with dad, hosted Alabama Football parties every game for numerous years now. She participated in some form in all, right up until the SEC Championship game when she was no longer able to concentrate nor see the television and became bedfast. She did, however, continue to wear her Alabama shirts or jerseys, as her husband, Billy, continued to dress her as she, herself, would have dressed for every game day for more years than I am able to count.
To my mother I say, "I love you and miss you already. I miss your gentle smile, twinkling eyes, girlish laugh and dancing eyes. I shall also miss the 'Roll Tide' that would come from your lips, as well as the 'Thank you, Jesus' that you uttered even more often. Hearing that you were praying for me is something that always brought a smile to my face as well as my heart.
"Thank you, mama, for the lessons you taught me and the Christian life you so consistently lived before me, as well as others."
Though there have been tears, I have also found myself smiling as I "see" her stepping into her new Heavenly Home, welcomed by the One Who died for her and gave her the the new life and body she is now enjoying.
Thank you, Mama.
Thank you, Lord, for welcoming her as she entered your big, beautiful house.
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Alabama Women's Basketball
Crimson Tide Basketball Falls To No. 4 Bulldogs
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
Alabama women's head coach Kristy Curry said, "I think on a night like tonight the worst thing to do as a coach is anything other than crediting Mississippi State's defense. I was a little disappointed in our posts. We had 16 post turnovers and 13 on the perimeter. We have got to do a better job with our posts. At the end of the day, I thought they (Mississippi State) did what they do, and they did it well. Hats off to those guys [last night]. We move forward, and they move forward. This game counts like all the rest."
Leading the Crimson Tide offensively was junior Hannah Cook with 16 points, while fellow junior Ashley Williams led on the boards with a game-best 10 rebounds. Freshman Jordan Lewis also scored in double-digits with 10 points, as well as contributing two assists, two steals and a rebound. Junior Coco Knight had an outstanding night with 10 points in addition to three rebounds and an assist. With two blocks in the game, freshman Ashley Knight tied with Leslie Payne (1980-81) for the No. 6 spot on Alabama's single-season block list at 48.
Alabama was 20-of-48 (41.7 percent) from the field, while Mississippi State hit on 27-of-62 (43.5 percent). Both team's hauled down 35 rebounds apiece, but the Dogs forced 29 Bama turnovers, scoring 28 points off those Crimson Tide losses.
The Alabama women will next face the Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford, Missippissi this Sunday, January 22nd. Start time is 2 p.m. CT and may be seen on SEC Network+.
| Game Stats | MS | UA |
|---|---|---|
| FG% | .435 | .417 |
| 3FG% | .200 | .273 |
| FT% | .647 | .440 |
| RB | 35 | 35 |
| TO | 18 | 29 |
| STL | 17 | 9 |
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
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University Of Alabama Introduces Greg Byrne
As New Director Of Athletics
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| Outgoing AD Bill Battle with incoming AD Greg Byrne Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
Byrne will officially assume his new duties as Director of Athletics at UA on March 1st, the same day that Battle will transition to a new role as Special Assistant to the President.
Byrne commented, "I've admired the University of Alabama, really even in younger years before I'd even been here, when we'd watch Keith Jackson call the game, Coach Broyles do the color and even when Coach (Bear) Bryant was coaching. I remember some of those games. The historical ride Alabama football has been on is incredible and that engages people. Look at the growth in the university the last 10 years.
"I remember coming down here 15 years ago and seeing what it looked like then, which was great, and what it looks like now is even better. You can't help but say that athletics, and football in particular, has been the engine that is driving that train in many aspects. It's incredible to have a chance to be a part of that.
"The fact that people here at Alabama support this university, support this athletics program, support the football program in the manner that they do, you don't take that for granted and you thank people for that. You tell them how much you appreciate the efforts they make."
This appointment is Byrne's third leadership role as the head of a major collegiate athletics program. He has been Vice President for Athletics at the University of Arizona since March of 2010, and had previously served as Director of Athletics at Mississippi State University from 2008-10. Byrne has more than 20 years of experience as an athletics administrator. He has a strong track record in fundraising, competitive success, and a strong emphasis in academic excellence.
As a fundraiser, Byrne has been directly involved in raising over $200 million in gifts during his career. He has directed projects involving major improvements across the spectrum of sports at both Mississippi State and Arizona. Byrne has been an advocate and implementer in the development of student-athletes into productive citizens following their collegiate careers.
A native of Pocatello, Idaho, Byrne earned his bachelor's degree in 1994, followed by his master's degree from Mississippi State in 2009. Byrne is married to the former Regina Misa of Junction City, Oregon, and the couple has two sons, Nick and Davis.
University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban commented, "Greg Byrne is one of the brightest administrators in college athletics today and we are very excited that he will be our next Director of Athletics. He has done a tremendous job in that role previously at both Mississippi State and Arizona. In our meetings with Greg we were very impressed with his plan and vision for Alabama athletics. We encourage the entire Crimson Tide family to fully support our new athletics director as we work to make all aspects of our athletics department even stronger. We are looking forward to working with Greg and would like to welcome the Byrne family to Tuscaloosa."
Men's basketball head coach Avery Johnson said, "I am excited about Greg Byrne, his wife Regina and their two boys joining our team at The University of Alabama. I think it's going to be great. Greg is a young guy with lots of experience at other SEC schools. Coming from Arizona, specific to what we're doing here at Alabama, they have had a tremendous amount of success with their basketball program. That means a lot. I'm excited about his wealth of experience. He's very highly regarded amongst other ADs across the country. I've heard he's a great guy and a visionary, so I'm excited about him joining us and leading our athletic department. From what I've heard, it's going to be another situation where we are all going to roll up our sleeves and be all in for The University of Alabama athletic department."
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| Click HERE to view press conference via Tide TV |
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Derrick Gore Transferring To Louisiana-Monroe
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| Derrick Gore Photo Credit: 247Sports |
Former University of Alabama running back Derrick Gore has announced via his Instagram account on Wednesday night. The announcement comes one week after he announced his decision to leave The Capstone and the Crimson Tide football program.
Gore picked up 93 yards on 12 carries while with the Bama football program. He will have 2 years of eligibility left, but must sit out the 2017 season due to NCAA transfer rules.
