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Don’t Call Alabama Soccer An Overnight Success

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Don’t Call Alabama Soccer An Overnight Success


TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — When Alabama soccer coach Wes Hart spoke to the media throughout Tuesday’s press convention, he talked about how folks on campus, media members and household alike discuss concerning the crew being an “in a single day success.” 

He disagreed with these claims, saying in actuality it is fairly the alternative.

“It has been a very long time coming,” Hart mentioned. “The quantity of labor we have put into this program, getting the tradition proper, our coaching habits that at the moment are being seen on the sector … we’re kinda reaping the advantages of that now.”

Hart has coached the Crimson Tide soccer crew since 2015. The beginning wasn’t nice (the crew went 5-12-2 in his first season), however he win whole virtually doubled the subsequent season. 

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Throughout Hart’s tenure, the Tide have three double-digit profitable seasons, along with his finest thus far being a 12-win season in 2017. 

In 2022, Hart has led the crew to an 8-1-1 file which incorporates three wins in opposition to ranked opponents: a shutout at house in opposition to then No. 18 Clemson, a 3-2 win in opposition to No. 6 BYU in Utah (which they misplaced to in final 12 months’s NCAA match), and 2-0 victory in opposition to No. 5 South Carolina.

“Good gamers making large performs on the finish of the day,” Hart mentioned concerning the ranked wins. “We knew heading into this season that we had a fairly proficient group, and and it is simply been an excellent run for us to date and I believe we maintain getting higher every week.”

One of many elements Hart talked about as a cause for the success is the management and expertise on the crew: principally everyone seems to be again from final 12 months, and the roster contains 13 gamers who’re both seniors or of their graduate 12 months. 

Amongst them, the 2 who stand essentially the most are captains Kat Rogers and Riley Mattingly Parker.

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“They’ve each been with us via the thick and the skinny,” Hart mentioned about his captains. “They have been right here for the reason that starting.”

“The start” for Parker and Rogers was 2018, once they have been a part of a .500 crew throughout their first 12 months, a 10-win crew their second 12 months, then went 7-8-2 their third 12 months. It wasn’t all the time fairly, however as Hart mentioned, the 2 helped “lay the inspiration” for the season they’re having now.

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“We truly did not begin out being mates,” Parker mentioned about her relationship with Rogers throughout their early days at Alabama. “Our friendship blossomed into one thing that’s positively gonna be lifelong, and I would not have wished to undergo my school profession right here at Alabama with anyone else by my facet.”

Rogers and Parker have each discovered particular person success on the sector this season, as Rogers is prime 10 within the SEC with six assists, and Parker is third with 15 factors and second with seven objectives scored. 

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Exterior of the captains, the Crimson Tide has a plethora of key contributors everywhere in the subject. Sasha Pickard and McKinley Crone anchor a protection that is already notched six shutouts this season; Felicia Knox is tied for the SEC lead with eight assists; and Gianna Paul is prime 10 within the SEC with 23 pictures as a real freshman.

“I’ve made the remark earlier than that she is the Kevin Durant of the SEC,” Parker mentioned when requested about Knox’s passing abilities. “The way in which she sees the sector is so skilled, she sees issues that different gamers do not see. We’re fortunate to have right here on out crew as a result of I would not wish to be taking part in in opposition to her.”

Coach Hart additionally talked about Paul utilizing her athletic means so as to add one other dimension to the Alabama offense, making the most of defenses that commit too excessive.

“[Paul has] gotta be one of many quickest soccer gamers within the nation,” Hart mentioned. “We’re making an attempt to cover her from the observe crew so they do not attempt to steal her from us, however she’s an extremely gifted and a incredible soccer participant as nicely.”

Alabama, ranked No. 6 on this week’s nationwide ballot, kicks off full-time convention play Thursday because the Crimson Tide travels to Knoxville, Tennessee to tackle the Volunteers. The final time the 2 met in an official match, UA received 3-1 at house. 

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However Hart expects an excellent sport in opposition to the present chief of the SEC East and reigning convention champions. 

“They have some nice attacking gamers, some forwards that may rating objectives and so they trigger issues,” Hart mentioned. “They acquired an excellent midfield that is capable of create probabilities. I do not suppose it is gonna a high-scoring affair, however I believe each groups are gonna create numerous probabilities, and it is finally gonna come right down to who makes essentially the most of these alternatives.”

Recently, that is been the Crimson Tide, which has been constructing momentum for quite a lot of weeks, however over years.  

See Additionally: 

No. 11 Alabama Soccer Knocks Off No. 5 South Carolina

Riley Mattingly Parker Returned to Alabama Soccer for Huge Video games Like One With No. 5 S.C.

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Alabama

Alabama reality show star dead at 42 was ‘full of life, love and laughter’

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Alabama reality show star dead at 42 was ‘full of life, love and laughter’


Ne’Keshia “Keke” Dawson Jabbar, one of the stars of the reality show “Love & Marriage: Huntsville,” died Tuesday, according to a statement from her family.

TMZ reported Jabbar was 42.

A cause of death was not immediately known.

The statement was read on the YouTube channel of vlogger Marcella Speaks.

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“It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Keke. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by love,” the statement read.

“She was a mom, a sister, a great friend full of life, love and laughter. She will sorely be missed. At this time, we are asking for respect and privacy in our moment of grief while we process this great loss,” the statement continued. It was signed “the Jabbar/Scott Family.”

Jabbar was featured in the most recent seasons of the Oprah Winfrey Network show, which premiered in January 2019 and showcases the lives of prominent Black families in Huntsville.

Jabbar was the cousin of LaTisha Scott, who is featured prominently in the series along with her husband, Marsau Scott.

“At this time we are asking for RESPECT, and PRIVACY in our moment of grief, while we process this great loss!This is hard for our Family!!!!!” LaTisha Scott posted Tuesday to her Instagram account:

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According to her social media profiles, Jabbar was also a writer, editor, author and professor of English at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville.

Charlotte Teague, chairwoman of the university’s English Department, said Jabbar was an instructor in the department several years ago and had not worked for the department in more than five years.

“I am sad to hear of her passing,” Teague said.



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Alabama Power credit union CEO Derrick E. Ragland Jr. named League of Southern Credit Unions Professional of the Year

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Alabama Power credit union CEO Derrick E. Ragland Jr. named League of Southern Credit Unions Professional of the Year


Derrick E. Ragland, Jr., president and CEO of APCO Employees Credit Union, was recently named League of Southern Credit Unions (LSCU) Professional of the Year for the state of Alabama. Awards for Professional and Young Professional of the Year were presented at the 2024 Southeast Credit Union Conference & Expo in



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Jumbo Package: Alabama lands four on Preseason All-American Team

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Jumbo Package: Alabama lands four on Preseason All-American Team


Offensive guard Tyler Booker made the first team, alongside new kicker Graham Nicholson. Nicholson transferred in from Miami of Ohio, where he was a first-team all-American, and won the Lou Groza award as the nation’s top kicker, beating out UA’s Will Reichard.

Booker returns for his junior season as one of Alabama’s offensive line leaders. He remained with the Crimson Tide through the head coach transition from Nick Saban to Kalen DeBoer.

One of his fellow offensive linemen, Washington transfer Parker Brailsford, was named to the second-team list for Alabama. Brailsford missed most of spring practice for personal reasons after following DeBoer from the Huskies, but is primed to return for the season, likely in UA’s starting center job.

Nicholson’s special teams counterpart, punter James Burnip, was also listed for the Crimson Tide. Burnip, a native of Australia, ranked second in the SEC last season, averaging 47.6 yards per punt, and was a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award, which goes to the top punter in college football.

Check it out! Alabama enters the preseason with four All-Americans, per Walter Camp. It’s also kinda funny that two of them are special teamers, and two of them are transfers.

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Only Tyler Booker and James Burnip are All-Americans from last year’s Alabama squad.

Interestingly (or maybe not), Jalen Milroe was left off of the list. Carson Beck was QB1 and Quinn Ewers was QB2.

I do think Deontae Lawson could be in consideration with any of the other linebackers on the list – however, I totally understand that his injuries the last two seasons have kept him from living up to where I think he can be.

Coming off his best season in Tuscaloosa as a third-year sophomore, Deontae Lawson is arguably Alabama’s most well-known returning starter on defense within the front seven. He’s an alpha in the middle of that unit and loves to stick his face in the fan against run support. With Caleb Downs transferring to Ohio State, the Crimson Tide need Lawson to be the new enforcer of sorts as well. He’s wearing a new number this season, which he says represents a program — and player — in transition of sorts under a different staff.

247 agrees, listing Lawson as a top candidate for SEC DPOY. Lawson taking the next step is going to be critical for Alabama this season.

Off-field issues caused Brailsford to miss most of spring practice (much to the concern of some Bama fans), but it seems as though he has now settled in in Tuscaloosa. Still, Coach Kalen DeBoer and company were wise to add some insurance in the form of Michigan State transfer Geno VanDeMark.

The late spring pickup gives Alabama another veteran and a versatile piece on the interior offensive line. VanDeMark will likely be the top backup at one or both of the guard positions. Bama returns the imposing duo of Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts, and getting another experienced player behind them is huge.

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VanDeMark also has experience playing center. Though his game reps at that spot have been limited, he is more experienced than any other center option outside of Brailsford. While this is a very valuable job, it’s hard to believe the senior will be content to settle for a reserve role. Expect VanDeMark to push Brailsford and the guards, ultimately making all parties involved better in the long run.

Hopefully, Brailsford is going to a breath of fresh air for Alabama fans after three straight seasons of generally poor center play. On top of having a season’s worth of good snaps under his belt, a preseason All-American, and a national championship appearance…. He’s also been rumored this offseason to be one of the strongest players in the locker room.

I’m sure everyone saw the interview clip with Jalen Milroe a couple of days ago talking about the “vibe” that coach DeBoer brings to Alabama.

Our favorite blog site of pure envy, DawgNation, saw it too, and immediately had to write an article about how Kirby Smart does none of this “giving compliments” nonsense.

Fact is, Smart hates complacency and fancies the slogan that, “if it isn’t broke, find a way to make it better,” as Dean can attest.

“It was always, you can do this better, you made this play, you got this Pick 6, but you could have gotten to the end zone faster if you took this step, or, you could have read the play faster,” Dean said.

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“Or, you got a sack, but you could have gotten a sack-fumble. So it was never pat yourself on the back.”

Time will tell if DeBoer’s approach will uplift the Tide, or perhaps derail the emotional discipline Saban’s programs most always exhibited.

Those poor guys really have no idea what to do if they aren’t constantly comparing themselves to Alabama.

In recruiting news, Alabama’s picked up another new prediction:

As June closes, Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide football coaching staff have put together an incredible month of recruiting. Over the past few weeks, Alabama has surged to the No. 2 ranked recruiting class for 2025 and still has plenty of its top targets uncommitted.

One of the most coveted targets is a four-star tight end from El Dorado Hills, California, Kaleb Edwards.

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Edwards is a 6-foot-6 235 prospect who has shown the ability to be a solid end-line blocker but also a legitimate threat in the passing game.

Steve Wiltfong of On3 recently logged an expert prediction for the talented Edwards to commit to the Crimson Tide.

A higher 4-star player and a top 5 TE in the country, Edwards would be a huge addition to the recruiting class. If he does follow what most of the recruiting experts are predicting, he’ll be yet another California native helping to fill out this recruiting class for the Tide. Edwards is expected to announce a commitment on Wednesday.



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