Former Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden, who holds the NCAA record for most career wins at a Division I school, and The University of Alabama gymnastics coach Sarah Patterson will speak at the Student Government Association’s 2nd annual Coaching Character event Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the North Zone of Bryant Denny Stadium.
SGA chief justice Joe Hart created the event last year to help instill positive character reflective of the Capstone Creed in UA students. Hart said this year’s speakers build on the success of last year, which featured Nick Saban and John Croyle.
“I’m very excited about this year’s Coaching Character event,” Hart said. “We have managed to build on last year’s success by obtaining two amazing keynote speakers. The event will be an excellent opportunity for students to gain great insight and wisdom into life, success and most importantly, what it takes to be a better person.”
Danielle DuBose, director of Coaching Character, said the event focuses not only on how to network professionally, but also learning the importance of developing personal character.
“We want to focus on personal development, not just professional development. College students attend classes daily to build themselves professionally, and it is easy to let personal development fall by the wayside,” DuBose said. “Personal development is crucial to a person’s success, and it will be great to hear our two speakers’ past experiences to learn how to approach daily challenges.”
DuBose said Patterson was chosen for her dedication to the University, whereas Bowden brought significant name recognition to the event.
“Coach Sarah Patterson has done a lot for this university, and she is a very admired woman on our campus,” DuBose said. “I have no doubt that students will come to hear her speak like they did for Coach Saban last year. Coach Bobby Bowden has great name recognition and has many life experiences to share. We feel that both of these speakers will draw a great crowd.”
All members of the Tuscaloosa community are welcome to attend, and doors open at 5:45 p.m. The SGA is expecting approximately 400 people to attend the event.
“Our goal for the event is to create positive energy within the student body to actively work on improving not only their own lives, but also the lives of those around them, affecting the entire UA community,” Hart said. “Coach Bowden is the winning-est coach in division I college football, and Coach Patterson has won six national titles in gymnastics here at UA. We could not be luckier to have these two speakers agreeing to join us, they are living legends.”
