WVUA Sports

Bama Softball on the Air Sunday afternoon

2007-10-17T21:06:00.000-05:00

As many of you know, WVUA-FM is the home and away vocie of the Alabama Crimson Tide softball team. It is perhaps our most listened to sportscast, and we are thrilled to again be a part of the action.

Bama will play at 2:00 and 4:00 this Sunday afternoon, and we will have both games on the air. Andrew Schmidt will join myself (Nic Hoch) in the booth. Pre-game begins at 1:45 PM.

For those wishing to listen online, we have finally heard that a solution is in the works... I'm not sure if that means the internet will be up for this weekend or not, but we definitely hope to have it by next weekend... we'll keep you updated.

Bama FB Makes Comeback (Yes, that's two this season.)

2007-10-13T20:36:00.000-05:00

I'll say this about Alabama: They don't give up. Say what you want about how lackluster the performance was or how many mistakes the team made. Fact of the matter is, this team has something about them that makes them actually compete in the 4th quarter, especially when trailing.

Lots of people may say, "How much difference does a head coach have in the grand scheme of things other than recruiting talent?" Generally, I find myself agreeing with some of this line of thought. Coaches can call plays, but they can't perform. However, Alabama has seen a resurection of the comeback this season. The last time Bama made a 4th quarter comeback before the home battle against Arkansas earlier this season was in 2001 in the Independence Bowl against Iowa State.

Today, you can add another factoid. With today's comeback victory over Ole Miss in Oxford, Bama made their first 4th quarter comeback on the road since 1999 when they beat Auburn.

Seven games into the Nick Saban era, fans are already becoming accustomed to 4th quarter comebacks. Students can again raise their hands holding the traditional four fingers with pride again.

As I noted before, this team is not without its holes or mistakes. There are plenty. The secondary gets burnt on an almost drive by drive basis, and the offense is still a bit inconsistent. However, the excitement and the faith that Saban has restored to not only the fans but to his players is refreshing.

As I left the stadium today and headed towards the car, I couldn't help but notice a recurring theme. I heard at least two or three groups of people saying, "You think we would have made this comeback with Shula last year?" The general consensus was no, and I tend to agree. I'll put it this way. Bama is currently 5-2, and with Shula and Company still in town, that record is probably 3-4.

Not only that, but the Tide currently sits atop the SEC Western Division with LSU and Auburn. A 3-1 start to the SEC has Bama in a position to make a run at the division and conference title. Is the run likely? Probably not. However, the fact that this team has restored an element of "comeback" spirit to the Tide faitful is an accomplishment in itself.

Nic Hoch's Gameballs

*Javier Arenas- His electric special teams play accounted for great Bama field position all day, and set Bama up to get them the most important scores of the game. 164 return yards in 6 tries says it all.

*Wallace Gilberry- Most of last year, it seemed like Wallace was hiding in the shadows. That's not the case this season. He's leading the defensive line this year and causing havoc in the backfield. He had 2 sacks, and 3 tackles for loss in the game.

*John Parker Wilson- Bama fans (myself included) have been ready to anoint Greg McElroy the new starting QB, but credit Saban with sticking to his guns. JPW threw for 265 yards on 26-40 passing. While he didn't throw for any touchdown's, his completions got them into position to do so. He still made a few more mistakes than Bama would like, but without question his pocket presence and reads were much better today.

*DJ Hall- 11 catches, 140 yards. He was the very definition of a go-to receiver for Wilson today.

Lady Tide Score Big Win on the Pitch

2007-10-12T23:56:00.000-05:00

The University of Alabama Lady Tide soccer team came up with a big win, 2-0, over Arkansas on Friday night. After a tough road trip to Mississippi last weekend where the Tide lost to both Miss. State and Ole Miss, the Lady Tide were looking to get back into the win column.

Alabama extend their home win streak to six games in a row now. The team received great leadership in the midfield from Hayley McDonald. She was benched to start the game and Coach Don Staley said "She really showed him something with her leadership on the field tonight and her attitude leading up to the game knowing she wasn't going to get the start." When she came on the field she never came off, and she played with great purpose and intensity.

The game was very back and forth with neither team able to establish sustained possession of the ball. The two main differences in the game were Alabama's execution of set plays in which sophomore Alex Butera was able to put two balls in the back of the net, and Alabama's solid defensive play from the back line. It was a slow night in comparison to other matches for the SEC saves leader, freshman, Justine Bernier as she only had to make a few crucial saves.

The Lady Tide move forward with SEC west play this Sunday at 1:00 P.M. They host LSU and University of Alabama soccer complex. LSU is ranked 19th in the country. It will be a tough test, but Alabama will look to keep their home win streak alive.

Word of Advice: Don't Jump the Gun in the Postseason

2007-10-04T23:31:00.000-05:00

It seems that after one game in the ALDS or NLDS, people are ready to write off certain teams. This always strikes me as comical. Think of it this way: Teams play 3 or 4 game series all year long, and they lose the first game of a series quite often, but that doesn't mean they fold and pack up shop for the next 2 to 3 games. So, for those of you writing off the Angels, take heart. Yankees fans, same thing. New York scored a whopping 968 runs this year... the hits will come.

Daniel A. Moore Guest on Rock and Jock!

2007-10-01T17:12:00.000-05:00

The famous Alabama painter Daniel A. Moore will be a guest on Rock and Jock tomorrow morning at 9:30. It should be an awesome chance to hear what he has to say about Alabama and the lawsuit that he is in with the University.

Just for Fun: Records of all Fall teams

2007-09-25T21:05:00.000-05:00

Sometimes it's fun just to get a grasp on the overall records and general success of a given collegiate program, but it's never available with the click of the button. So, for your convenience, here's the standings to date of the fall sports at The University of Alabama.

Football: 3-1 (2-1)
Volleyball: 7-6 (4-0)
Soccer: 7-2 (0-0) (Conference play begins September 28th vs. Vanderbilt)
Cross Country (M): 3rd place finish, 1st place finish
Cross Country (W): 5th place finish, 2nd place finish
Tennis results are more difficult to compile... check rolltide.com for their individual fall results.

A few other sports will be starting up in a couple weeks. Rowing and cross country are two of them... softball will be having their Fall Brawl coming up in late October.

That's all for now... Roll Tide!

Internet Feed Problems

2007-09-24T18:53:00.001-05:00

Lately, our internet feed has not been working, which has left out our nationwide listeners. We apologize for the incovenience, but we are working at finding a solution to the problem. Once it's up again, we will let you know here.

Bama volleyball stays perfect in SEC Play at 4-0

2007-09-23T21:39:00.000-05:00

A couple weeks ago, no one would have believed Bama would be sitting at 4-0 in conference play. After winning their first two non-conference matches in Oklahoma, the Tide proceeded to drop their next four, and save for one win against Top 25 Ohio, it seemed as if the team was headed in a downward spiral. Four conference games later, Alabama looks like the team to beat in the SEC West.

With Florida's win over LSU this afternoon in Baton Rouge, Alabama leads by one game in the standings over the Tigers. Surprisingly, it looks as though it will be a two team race for the West this year. The the Arkansas Razorbacks struggling to an 0-4 conference start, that leaves Bama and LSU to duke it out.

I was on hand doing the television broadcast this afternoon, and this looks like an entirely different team than the one I saw back on August 31st that gave up a 2-0 game lead to UAB. The chemistry is back, Crystal Hudson is as impressive as ever, and the team is able to find ways to win. Coach Green mentioned to me in the post-game that she was still dissapointed in the way her team played defense, and she said it would be stressed during practice on Tuesday.

On another note, the attendance was impressive. 752 was the official attendance. For those who are unaware, Bama volleyball has just this year begun to charge $30 for season tickets, and it hasn't kept anyone away, and it's nice to see that. Such a reasonable price shouldn't keep people from watching Bama play and it hasn't so far. Bravo to the fans for coming out...

Bama stays home for a pair of SEC matchups this Friday and Sunday against South Carolina and powerhouse Florida. You can catch both matches on WVUA-FM.

WVUA Sports Blog Begins!

2007-09-12T22:40:00.000-05:00

Hello Tide sports fans! I'm glad you've found your way to the new WVUA-FM, 90.7 Sports Blog. WVUA-FM is the campus radio station of the University of Alabama, which puts it's student staff members in the unique position of covering Crimson Tide athletes as well as attending the same classes as them. Multiple sports shows air on the station, along with play-by-play work for Tide sports of men's and women's basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, and our exclusive coverage of softball and gymnastics.

Our sports staff is over 15 members strong, and each one has access to the WVUA Sports Blog. Anytime we cover an event, make sure to check out the blog to get the insight of the broadcasters that were on the scene to call the event! Periodical posts will occur from different staff members, and we welcome your comments and discussion.

The blog is meant to be an avenue of information to Bama sports fans as well as anyone interested in the Crimson Tide. Thanks for stopping by and we look forward to covering and discussing the Tide with you!

The Student Section

2007-09-12T21:55:00.000-05:00

Make sure to listen to the Student Section every Wednesday night from 8-10 PM. If you're in the mood for great food and a great atmosphere, head on down to Hooters where the crew will be hosting the show. Will Barry, Jacob Cohen, and Hanna Harrison will be on hand every week to analyze Crimson Tide sports!