----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2001 10:41 PM Subject: Mal's Message: From the Desk of Athletic Director Mal Moore
Dear Crimson Tide fans and supporters, You have been identified as a loyal supporter of the Alabama Crimson Tide, and I'd like to begin sharing some thoughts with you periodically in an effort to keep you better informed on what's going on throughout the Crimson Tide athletic department. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >From the Desk of Athletic Director Mal Moore - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - It's a big week for Alabama athletics, and I'd like to share some thoughts with you on the week's events. As always, the Iron Bowl should be one of the great games in all of college football this season. Regardless of the standings of either team, this is a game that can only be decided on the field. While participating in this game so many times as a player and coach, I learned that players have historically played this game to the utmost of their potential, and then some. The kicking game has been so much of a factor throughout the history of this game, and great team effort has always made the difference. This week will be no different. I expect this game to follow along those lines and shape up as a fiercely-contested battle between two rivals. I'm excited for Coach Franchione and his staff for a big and much-needed win over Mississippi State last week, and I expect that to really help motivate and instill confidence in the team this week. I believe this game, as it always has in the past, will bring out the best of both teams. It should be quite a battle. Without question, a win at Auburn would be a powerful statement about where this program is headed. * * * I regret that I won't be able to attend the game, but the efforts of our compliance team this Saturday will be crucial to the ongoing development of this program. We all recognize the tough situation we are in, and I'd like to say again how much I truly appreciate the tremendous loyalty and support you fans have shown during these trying times. Your ongoing support will certainly be needed and valued in the years to come. I'm excited about the date finally arriving for our hearing before the NCAA Committee on Infractions. I'm truly proud of the tremendous efforts of our compliance staff. I anticipate their hard work and dedication to making a difference in the proceedings. We will appear before the NCAA enforcement staff and members of the Committee on Infractions Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time in Indianapolis. The University will be represented by President Dr. Andrew Sorensen -- who will offer an opening statement, University counsel Stan Murphy, Compliance Director Marie Robbins, Rich Hilliard, attorney from Ice Miller in Indianapolis, and me. University Faculty Representative Gene Marsh, also will attend, although he will not be allowed to sit through the hearing because he is a member of the Committee on Infractions. * * * Under any other circumstances, Coach Franchione would certainly be a part of our delegation, but his attention is needed elsewhere. We will, however, present a videotaped message from Coach Franchione to the committee on his philosophy and policies for ensuring NCAA rules compliance in the future. He will also be available by phone until game time if there is a specific question for him from NCAA officials. We will be asked to answer each charge against our football program individually. There is no set time for the length of the hearing, but I expect it to take some time to properly present all of the information. I feel good about our response and believe that our team is well-prepared to answer the charges. I am eagerly awaiting Saturday and ready to bring some closure to this difficult time in our program. * * * I also want to say how proud I am of Coach Judy Green and her Crimson Tide Volleyball team. They've just wrapped up a second straight successful regular season, posting a 10-5 conference record in the highly-competitive Southeastern Conference. They'll be competing for the SEC Championship this weekend in Knoxville. Coach Green's team opens against LSU on Friday afternoon. Also this week, the Tide men's and women's basketball teams begin their regular seasons. Coach Gottfried and his team took the court at home Tuesday night in an impressive win against Mississippi Valley State in the opening round of the Guardians' Classic, while Coach Rick Moody and the women's team play here Friday night against Samford. We're excited about both seasons getting underway, as these two talented and well-coached squads represent the University well this season. * * * We're making progress with raising funds for our aggressive facilities initiative. We certainly recognize the importance that this campaign has in supporting our coaches and teams in their efforts to build championship-caliber programs. I'll be keeping you updated on our progress through this weekly message and through our premium website, www.CrimsonTradition.com. If you haven't signed up for CrimsonTradition.com, please do so today, as our revenue from the site goes toward our facilities initiative. Again, thanks for your support of Crimson Tide athletics. Without you, our alumni and fans, all of our efforts would be in vain, and we recognize the importance of your contributions to this great University. Please show your tremendous support for the Tide this weekend. Next week I'll share some tidbits from our eventful weekend... Roll Tide! Mal M. Moore Director of Athletics - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you don't wish to receive this message, go to http://www.crimsontradition.com/_commonlibrary/managedata.asp?sysPEOPLETABLE ID=0&sysACTION=UPDATE&sysREDIRECTTO=http://www.crimsontradition.com&EMAIL=Je [EMAIL PROTECTED]&isEmailOptIn=false to unsubscribe. If you have friends who you think might want to receive this FREE update, please go to http://www.crimsontradition.com/information%20pages/2266.asp to add them to our list. If you are able to receive HTML mail, please go to http://www.crimsontradition.com/_commonlibrary/managedata.asp?sysPEOPLETABLE ID=0&sysACTION=UPDATE&sysREDIRECTTO=http://www.crimsontradition.com&EMAIL=Je [EMAIL PROTECTED]&isHTMLEmailEnabled=true to receive your next update in color and with pictures. 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