Alabama
Kierston Russell, Twin Sister of Alabama QB Keelon Russell, Passes Away
Kierston Russell, the twin sister of Alabama freshman quarterback Keelon Russell, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 18 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, per On3.
Details about Russell’s death were not immediately available, however, the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, which investigates all deaths outside of a hospital setting in Tuscaloosa County, declined to comment, saying the matter was non-criminal, per Tide 100.9.
Keelon Russell confirmed the news after he reposted a message on his Instagram story that offered condolences. He responded with four emojis of hands held in a heart formation. The message read:
“My deepest condolences are with you guys dearly. Losing a twin sister and daughter is a pain that one could never imagine.”
Russell also posted a message to his Instagram story with a pair of hands making a heart. The message from Lovodges Heggins said, “Stay strong for mom. My prayers and Thoughts are with y’all.”
Less than a week ago, the Russell siblings celebrated their graduation from Duncanville High School in Texas, and danced on stage together when they walked across to receive their diplomas. She had joined her brother in Tuscaloosa at the University of Alabama after recently graduating.
Prior to walking graduating high school, Kierston played basketball for Duncanville. Her final post on Instagram was a picture of her in a Duncanville basketball jersey from 32 weeks ago with the caption “This year personal.”
After hearing the news, many Instagram users and followers of Kierston commented on that post to give their condolences, including Texas edge rusher and Keelon Russell’s high school teammate Colin Simmons.
With students and families on campus this weekend for spring 2026 graduation, here’s a rundown of University of Alabama campus history that originally published Nov. 14, 2025.
1820
● The Alabama General Assembly officially established the first public university and named it the University of the State of Alabama. By the 1860s, the school was called the University of Alabama.
1831
● Harvard graduate and Vermont native Alva Woods became the first president of the University of Alabama. First day of classes was held on April 18 with four professors and 52 students. By the end of the term there were nearly 100 students.
1841
● The President’s Mansion was built.
1860
● The Round House was built for the use of the student sentinels.
1865
● All but a few buildings — the President’s Mansion, the observatory, the Round House, the Gorgas House and a few faculty residences — were burned by Union troops.
1892
● Student William G. Little introduced his fellow UA students to the sport of football.
1893
● Anna B. Adams and Bessie Parker became the first women to enroll at the university.
1914
● The first Tutwiler Hall was built on the site of today’s Rose Administration Building. It was the first building exclusively for women.
1915
● The University of Alabama Student Government Association was founded.
1926
● The Alabama Crimson Tide football team won the Rose Bowl, becoming national champions for the first time.
1929
● Denny Chimes, funded in part by student donations, was dedicated in honor of beloved UA President George H. Denny. UA also opens Denny Stadium.
1939
● Construction on the Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library was completed.
1956
● The first Black student enrolled. Autherine Lucy attended classes for three days before being removed from campus and then expelled.
1963
● The university was officially desegregated when Vivian Malone and James Hood enrolled. Gov. George Wallace made good on a threat to “stand in the schoolhouse door” to stop them, but his actions were symbolic and did not stop their enrollment.
1975
● The on-campus football stadium is renamed Bryant-Denny Stadium to honor legendary football coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant.
1980
● UA’s 1979 squad wins the Sugar Bowl, giving Bryant back-to-back national championships. The 1979 championship was also the sixth and final title of Bryant’s career.
2011
● On April 27, 2011, a tornado destroyed much of Tuscaloosa, and six students lost their lives.
2013
● Judy Bonner becomes the university’s first female president.
2016
● The university’s strategic plan, Advancing the Flagship, was unveiled.
2019
● The university achieved R1: Very High Research Activity status, according to the Carnegie Classification.
2020
● The COVID-19 pandemic caused spring classes to be moved online. In-person classes resumed by the fall semester.
● UA wins its 18th national championship in football.
2022
Julia Tutwiler Hall, the 13-story dorm near Bryant-Denny Stadium, was demolished just after 7 a.m. on July 4. UA built a new Tutwiler Hall, just a few yards to the west of the old Tut.
2024
● The Catherine and Pettus Randall Welcome Center, an immersive and engaging visitor center named in honor of longtime University supporters, opened in the restored and reimagined historic Bryce Main.
● The football arena is renamed Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium to honor retired coach Nick Saban. Saban earned six national championships during his 17-year career at the Capstone.
2025
● Peter Mohler is hired to become UA’s 30th president.
● UA sets a new enrollment record by welcoming 42,360 students in the fall.
Sources: The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa News files
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Vanderbilt lost 8-5 in the series finale at No. 24 Alabama on Saturday at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
After falling behind early, the Commodores clawed their way back but the home side was able to hold on for the win.
Alabama used four hits, including a three-run homer, to build a 5-0 lead in the first inning.
Colin Barczi got Vanderbilt right back in the game in the top of the second with a three-run blast of his own. Braden Holcomb led off the frame with a single and stole second. Rustan Rigdon was hit by a pitch with two outs and Barczi launched his 10th home run of the season to make it 5-3.
Holcomb picked up his second hit of the day in the top of the third. After Mike Mancini worked a walk and stole second, Holcomb lined a single up the middle to bring home Mancini and pull the Commodores to within a run.
Alabama worked a pair of walks to start off the bottom of the fourth and both runners came around to score as the Crimson Tide went ahead 7-4.
Korbin Reynolds roped a double off the wall to lead off the top of the seventh. Reynolds moved up to third on a passed ball before touching home on a sac fly by Ryker Waite to cut Alabama’s lead back down to two.
Luke Guth came on to pitch with two on and nobody out in the seventh. Catcher’s interference loaded the bases but Guth escaped the jam to keep the deficit at two.
The Crimson Tide extended their lead to three with a solo homer in the bottom of the eighth, going in front 8-5.
Vanderbilt returns home to host Louisville in the Battle of the Barrel on Tuesday at Hawkins Field.
Alabama basketball’s Nate Oats weighs in on 2026 NBA Draft exits | VIDEO
Alabama basketball’s Amari Allen and Labaron Philon are off to the 2026 NBA Draft. Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats weighed in on their decisions.
Transfer portal gossip is nothing new, and the buzz continues to surround Alabama basketball after a fourth consecutive Sweet 16 run.
Earlier this week, an incoming Crimson Tide forward became the latest subject of that speculation, and he didn’t wait long to respond.
After spending his freshman year at Mississippi State, Jamarion Davis-Fleming will join the Crimson Tide’s roster for the 2026-27 season. Days ago, though, rumors circulated that he had not signed with Alabama and was considering a return to Starkville.
On Friday, May 1, Davis-Fleming put any doubt that he was going to play for anyone other than coach Nate Oats to rest.
“Stop with the false rumors, I’m Locked in with The Tide,” Davis-Fleming wrote.
With the Bulldogs, Davis-Fleming averaged 3.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting 67.6% across 32 games.
Davis-Fleming is the brother of former Crimson Tide forward Javian Davis, who played under Oats during his first season at the helm of Alabama.
Three other transfer commits are expected to join Davis-Fleming next season, including Brandon Garrison (Kentucky), Cole Cloer (NC State) and Drew Fielder (Boise State). Per 247Sports, the Crimson Tide’s transfer ranking is 19th in the nation.
Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@usatodayco.com.
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