
West Alabama Friday Briefing
Good morning West Alabama! It is Friday, January 17, 2025. This is the 17th day of the year with 348 days remaining.
Friday Morning Observations:
Stillman College has introduced the 2025 Athletics Hall of Fame Class. These talented former Tigers represented Stillman College, Tuscaloosa and HBCUs well. They didn't get the widespread recognition of athletes just across town at the University of Alabama, but their accomplishments easily rival them.
The highest profile of the class honored this morning is Dr. Archie Lee Wade who died recently at the age of 85. He made a name for himself in and out of athletics, but he used the same determination and class in both.
Dr. Wade excelled at multiple sports but none better than baseball. That made him a team target in the Major League Baseball Draft where he played in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He had the highest batting average in the Class A Florida League in 1966.
But it was what he accomplished outside of sports that took him into another Hall of Fame of sorts. In 1970, Wade became the first Black faculty member at UA and worked in the department of kinesiology for 30 years. During that time, he earned his doctorate from UA, achieved the status of tenured professor, and was a founding member of the Black Faculty and Staff Association.
In September 1964, Archie Wade was one of three Black spectators to integrate the stands of former Denny Stadium on the UA campus. Several years later, he was instrumental in assisting legendary Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant in recruiting some of the first Black student-athletes to the football program.
The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees unanimously voted to change the name of the former Moore Hall, home of UA’s Department of Kinesiology, to Wade Hall.
I got the chance to get to know Dr. Wade over the years, you couldn't ask for a nicer, classier, more talented and determined person. He was always dedicated to encouraging others to achieve and as retired Judge John England once stated, "Live with character, courage and conviction."
A public viewing will be held today at Van Hoose and Steele Funeral Home from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Graveside services and burial are scheduled for 11:00 tomorrow morning at Cedar Oak Memorial Garden, 1401 Mimosa Park Road in Tuscaloosa.
Dr. Wade may be gone but his legacy will live on in Tuscaloosa and on the UA campus and in the hearts and mind of those who encountered him on this journey through life.
(Opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the ownership, management, staff or sponsors of Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa.)
Weather:
A warm and wet start is in the forecast for the weekend. Rain chances will ramp up tonight as an upper-level disturbances passes through. Expect mostly showers with this system.
Rain chances will continue on Saturday as an upper-level disturbances moves through. Rain chances will begin to decrease through the afternoon and evening hours followed by the return of much colder air on Sunday. That will be followed by excessive cold all next week.
Computer models are still forecasting a winter weather event across portions of Alabama and the south next week, but they still have not been able to lock down specifics like where, how much, what type and impacts.
Read More: Alabama on Alert: Details on Possible Winter Weather Event
The Forecast:

Topping the News:
Suit Challenges Legislative DRI Ban in Alabama
DEI is going to court in Alabama. The NAACP of Alabama is threatening to encourage parents to send their students to HBCUs if they do not win a lawsuit challenging the elimination of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs at state higher education institutions and state funded agencies.
SB128, the legislation that went into effect October of 2023, bans public entities from funding programs geared toward DEI.
Boyfriend of Missing Woman is Now a POI
Charles Williams, Jr is now officially a person of interest in the case of missing Marion County woman Chasity Terry. Law enforcement has found no evidence of foul play, but the 39-year-old’s disappearance is being investigated as a homicide. Williams is Terry’s longtime boyfriend.
The last time Terry was seen alive was on a Love's Travel Center security camera in Jasper a week ago today.
Terry's relatives have told authorities she has no history of disappearing for any length of time.
Faile Running for Re-election in District 6
Tuscaloosa City Councilman John Faile is running for re-election in March's Municipal balloting. He represents the southeastern parts of the city in District 6, which includes a large swath of neighborhoods between Hargrove Road and Veterans Memorial Parkway. The district also boasts Bowers and Snow Hinton Parks and is home to Woodland Forrest Elementary School, Eastwood Middle and Paul W. Bryant High School.
Read More: Tuscaloosa Councilman John Faile Seeks Re-Election in District 6
Kentuck Receives Federal Dollars
The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded Kentuck a “Grants for Arts Projects” grant of $20,000. It will support exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, and community outreach for Kentuck's 2025 programming season, titled "From the Earth."
Proposed Legislation would Add Another Step to Marriage Licenses
Senate Bill 33, pre-introduced by Alabama State Senator Rodger Smitherman for the coming legislative session next month, would require those seeking marriage licenses to attend a conflict resolution class before the union can be recorded.
The bill states, "In almost 20 percent of all marriages and intimate partnerships, couples slap, shove, hit, or otherwise assault each other...emotional abuse, threats, degrading remarks and controlling behavior are even more common."
The bill will be assigned to committee.
Topping Sports News:
Stillman HOF 2025 Class Introduced
Stillman College 2025 Athletics Hall of Fame Class was introduced this morning during the Tiger's Homecoming Week festivities. They are:
- Dr. Archie Wade - Baseball
- Thomas Wesley- Baseball
- Nicole Chester - Track and field
- Glenda Gilcud - Basketball
- Lester Dent - Basketball
- James Toombs- Basketball
Read More: Six Former Stillmanites To Be Inducted In Athletics HOF
Alabama Women Lose Late
The 19th ranked Alabama Women's basketball Team was right on the heels of defending national champions and 2nd rank South Carolina last night until the last five minutes of the game. That is when the Gamecock's experience and depth helped them open a lead and eventually win 76-58 at Coleman.
The Tide travels to Arkansas for a 4;00pm game Sunday afternoon.
Read More: Alabama Women’s Basketball Falls Short in a Battle With South Carolina
Another Battle of Top 10 Teams Looms in Kentucky Tomorrow
The 4th ranked Crimson Tide Men's Basketball Team must find a way to quit turning the basketball over or tomorrow morning's game at Kentucky will be yet another disaster. Bama turned the ball over 21 times in the ten-point loss Ole Miss Wednesday at home and now they face a raucous crowd at Rupp Arena at 11:00 tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow morning contest is the ESPN College Basketball Game Day feature game of the week. You can hear it on the Crimson Tide Sports Network on 95.3 The Bear, Tide 100.9 and 1230AM WTBC.
Click TuscaloosaThread.com for the latest West Alabama news, sports and weather. Better yet, download the app.
Have a wonderful weekend and ROLL TIDE!