Tosh Lupoi To Remain With The Tide
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
Lupoi has been a terrific recruiter for the Crimson Tide. In the 2017 class alone he has been the primary recruiter for the services of recently signed and enrolled running back Najee Harris, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and linebacker Dylan Moses.
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Crimson Tide Men's Basketball Hosts Missouri
Bama Promotes "Coaching For Literacy"
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
Coaching for Literacy works with a number of sports teams nationwide to generate awareness about the importance of literacy and its impact on social issues such as employment, crime and poverty. The University of Alabama joins a host of NCAA programs in this important effort, including fellow SEC members Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt.
Coaching for Literacy has funded over 50 literacy projects across 20 communities in 11 states. To date, 7,610 children have received direct literacy support because of the program.
"We are honored to add Alabama and Coach Johnson to our team," said Ryan Viner, executive director of Coaching for Literacy. "We know that our partner teams and coaches can give a voice to so many students who do not have one."
Johnson has diligently worked in years past to make a positive impact on middle and high school youth. He has spoken to over 100,000 students, encouraging them to make good choices in life and stay in school.
Johnson commented, "Literacy is an issue effecting so many in our community and nationwide.Our staff and program wants to do everything in our power to better the future, including encouraging our fans to actively participate in this cause."
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Crimson Tide Drowns Buccaneers & Bulldogs
In Men's Double-Header Tennis Action
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
Alabama men's tennis head coach George Husack said, "A super start to the season for us. We were challenged all day physically and mentally. Both teams came gunning for us and I was very proud of how we fought from start to finish."
Here's how Monday's match with ETSU shook out:
Alabama Crimson Tide 4, East Tennessee State 2
SINGLES:
1. No. 63 Mazen Osama (Alabama) vs. No. 43 David Biosca (ETSU) 6-2, 5-7, 1-3 DNF
2. No. 78 Thibault Cancel (Alabama) defeated No. 65 Diego Nunez (ETSU) 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
3. Robert Herrera (ETSU) defeated Alexey Nesterov (Alabama) 7-6, 6-4
4. Spencer Richey (Alabama) defeated Miguel Este (ETSU) 6-4, 7-5
5. Edson Ortiz (Alabama) defeated Weceslao Albin (ETSU) 6-1, 6-4
6. David Gonzalez (ETSU) defeated Ritchie Kruunenberg (Alabama) 6-3, 6-4
DOUBLES:
1. Diego Nunez/Robert Herrera (ETSU) defeated Spencer Richey/Mazen Osama (Alabama) 7-5
2. Edson Ortiz/Alexey Nesterov (Alabama) defeated David Biosca/Miguel Este (ETSU) 7-6
3. Zhe Zhou/Thibault Cancel (Alabama) defeated Wenceslao Albin/Juan Lugo (ETSU) 6-3
The Crimson Tide was even more impressive in the evening match against the Samford Bulldogs, with a big 4-0 match win. Following the match, Husack said, "I was really impressed with our freshmen stepping into the ring for the first time."
Concerning the double-header effort itself, Husack commented, "Four youngsters clinched the doubles point against ETSU and then another came up big to clinch that win. In the nightcap we had freshmen and sophomores leading the way. It won't matter what year you are or how experienced you might be, we will have an all hands on deck mentality throughout the season."
Alabama Crimson Tide 4, Samford 0
SINGLES:
1. No. 63 Mazen Osama (Alabama) defeated Justin Ghavami (Samford) 6-2, 6-4
2. No. 78 Thibault Cancel (Alabama) defeated Jake Faundez (Samford) 6-1, 6-1
3. Alexey Nesterov (Alabama) vs. Eduardo Sanchez (Samford) 6-4, 3-0 DNF
4. Spencer Richey (Alabama) vs. Max Rebol (Samford) 6-4, 4-4 DNF
5. Edson Ortiz (Alabama) def. Curran Verma (Samford) 6-3, 6-0
6. Langford Hills (Alabama) vs. Hugo Moreira (Samford) 7-5, 2-1 DNF
DOUBLES:
1. Mazen Osama/Spencer Richey (Alabama) defeated Jake Faundez/Hugo Moreira (Samford) 6-4
2. Alexey Nesterov/Edson Ortiz (Alabama) vs. Max Rebol/Eduardo Sanchez (Samford) 5-5 DNF
3. Thibault Cancel/Zhe Zhou (Alabama) def. Justin Ghavami/Curran Verma (Samford) 6-1
The Crimson Tide will travel to Orlando, Florida this Saturday, January 21st for a neutral site match against Michigan. Match time is set for 5 p.m. CT.
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| Photo Credit: UA Athletics |
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Nick Saban Elevates Mike Locksley
To On-Field Coaching Role
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| Photo taken from Bing.com |
Though Coach Locksley's specific on-field duties were not released, his addition as an on-field assistant fills the vacancy left by offensive tackles and tight ends coach Mario Cristobal, who recently left for Oregon's co-offensive coordinator position.
Locksley spent the 2016 season on the Crimson Tide's staff serving as an offensive analyst. He previously served as the interim head coach for the University of Maryland Terrapins for the final six games of the 2015 season. Prior to that he served as the Maryland's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2012-15. Locksley also served as the head coach at the University of New Mexico from 2009-11.
In his press release, Saban said, "We are excited to add Mike Locksley to our staff as an assistant coach on the offensive side of the football. He is an outstanding offensive mind who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as both a head coach and offensive coordinator. Mike is also one of the best recruiters in the nation and will be an excellent addition to our staff. His time as an analyst with us over the past season should also ensure a smooth transition and a full understanding of how our organization operates."
Mike and his wife Kia, have four children, three sons (Mike Jr., Meiko and Kai), and one daughter (Kori).
All such employment contracts are subject to approval by The University of Alabama Board of Trustees.
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University Of Alabama Announces
New Director Of Athletics To Be Greg Byrne
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - The University of Alabama announces Greg Byrne, Vice President for Athletics at the University of Arizona, will become the new Director of Athletics at The University of Alabama effective March 1st, pending approval of The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees. The 45-year-old Byrne will be formally introduced to the media later this week.
University of Alabama President, Stuart R. Bell, said, "We knew Bill was considering a change, and we wanted to hire someone who can assume that mantle of leadership and continue the tradition of success that Bill and so many others before him have established. We believe Greg Byrne is uniquely qualified for this role, and we are pleased to announce he has accepted the position of athletic director here at The University of Alabama."
Byrne replied, "Regina and I are honored to be joining the University of Alabama. I have incredible respect and admiration for both Coach (Bill) Battle and Coach (Mal) Moore, as well as all of the talented coaches and staff in place. We look forward to returning to the SEC and being a part of Alabama's outstanding tradition."
Byrne accepted the position of Vice President for Athletics with Arizona back in March of 2010, and has since helped Arizona Athletics to become a prominent player nationally in the Pac-12 Conference
by focusing on five important principles: Graduate Student-Athletes; Follow the Rules; Represent the University and Athletic Department in a First-Class Manner; Practice Sound Fiscal Management; and Compete for Championships. During his tenure at Arizona, he has also focused on new fundraising initiatives, member expansion for the Wildcat Club and facility upgrades.
While under his capable leadership, the Wildcats have seen construction completed on the $72 million Lowell-Stevens Football Facility and the completion of Phase I of an overall $80 million renovation of the McKale Center, home to Arizona's basketball program and its Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Byrne also put together a plan in 2011 to relocate the Arizona baseball program from its on-campus facility to an iconic minor league ballpark, which instantly upgraded the program's facilities and enhanced the fan experience, something that brought the institution national recognition and praise. In 2012, the Wildcats hosted the NCAA regional and super regional tournaments for the first time in 20 years on its way to capturing the school's fourth national championship. Average attendance nearly tripled in the first two years at the new facility.
Byrne previously served as the Director of Athletics at Mississippi State University, where he was the youngest athletic director in the Southeastern Conference and the youngest to lead an athletic program at the NCAA Division I-A level. He started out his career at Mississippi State in 2006 as Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs. Byrne also held athletics administrative roles at the University of Oregon, Oregon State University and the University of Kentucky. He is the son of long-time athletics administrator Bill Byrne, who has over 30 years of experience as an athletic director and is the former Athletic Director at Texas A&M University.
Byrne earned his bachelor's degree at Arizona State University in 1994 and his master's degree from Mississippi State in 2009. He is married to the former Regina Misa of Junction City, Ore., and the couple has two sons, Nick and Davis.
Byrne will assume leadership of a highly successful athletic program at The University of Alabama, one that has won 10 national championships in five different sports and has earned 23 Southeastern Conference (SEC) titles in seven different sports since 2008. Over that span, Crimson Tide student-athletes have earned 92 individual SEC championships spanning nine different sports.
Thus far in the 2016-17 academic year, Alabama has won one SEC team title, produced four All-Americans and one Academic All-America honoree. During the 2015-16 academic year, Alabama won two SEC titles while seven of 17 teams finished their respective seasons ranked among the top 25 nationally, including four national top-10 finishes and one national title. Individually in 2015-16, six student-athletes earned individual NCAA championships.
Alabama's success in graduating student-athletes reflects a culture that has placed a premium on academic excellence, and a standard that will continue under Byrne. That emphasis has resulted in a national-best (tied with Stanford) 66 Academic All-Americans since 2010 and an SEC-leading 114 Academic All-Americans since 2000 (third nationally). Over the last six years, Alabama has had nine student-athletes earn Academic All-American of the Year honors, the most by any school in the nation over that span, and UA student-athletes have been named Academic All-American of the Year for all sports in three of the last four years.
Crimson Tide student-athletes graduate at a rate of 72 percent with a Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 92 in 2016, which ranked second in the SEC and was up one point from the previous year (the GSR spans the period covering students who attended the University during 2005-08). In addition to standing in the top two in the SEC with its overall GSR, the Crimson Tide was first or tied for first in nine different sports.
In 2016, the Alabama football team led the SEC and ranked second nationally in graduates on its roster for postseason play with 22. From 2013-15, Alabama football led the nation three consecutive years in graduates on its roster for postseason play. With 29 in 2015, the Tide set a national record for the most graduates ever playing on a single team in postseason action. Alabama's last 4 football national title teams (2009, 2011, 2012 and 2015) included a combined total of 89 players who had earned their degrees prior to game time. From 2009-16, 162 Alabama football players earned their degrees (undergraduate and graduate) while still active on the Crimson Tide roster. The Crimson Tide had the highest Graduation Success Rate (86) among the four teams selected for the 2016 College Football Playoff and the second-highest GSR (80) of the four teams selected for the 2017 College Football Playoff.
The 2016 season marked the eighth consecutive year that the Crimson Tide football team suited up more than 20 graduates for a bowl game as 22 Crimson Tide players already had earned diplomas prior to the postseason. Three Tide football players graduated with master's degrees in the 2016 fall semester.
*Most of above information quoted directly from UA Press Release
