The University of Alabama hosted the 2nd Annual Coaching Character Initiative in the North Zone at Bryant-Denny Stadium Tuesday. The event, presented by the Student Government Association’s Judicial Branch, was headlined by Coach Sarah Patterson and Bobby Bowden.
Patterson has coached the Crimson Tide gymnastics team since 1978, winning six NCAA championships, including the past two seasons. Bobby Bowden, a Birmingham native who played quarterback for the Tide in 1948, coached the Florida State Seminoles from 1976-2009. During that span he won two national championships, broke the record for the most wins in Division I history and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Patterson, the first speaker, began by praising Bowden, and told of getting her picture taken with him at an Alabama football game in 2010, which she had Bowden sign for her before speaking. She related the story of her hiring by Paul “Bear” Bryant, the athletic director at the time, who paid her a $5,000 salary upon her graduation from college. She talked about her philanthropic work during her career, such as promoting breast cancer awareness after her husband’s battle with cancer.
“My hope is that people will remember us for what we have done for others, rather than what we have won,” said Patterson.
She then talked about her experiences at Alabama, and how much she enjoys coaching here.
“I’ve had the opportunity to help this university, but more than anything this university has had the opportunity to help me,” Patterson said. “This student body has supported us just like this university has supported us, and that has allowed us to contend for championships year in and year out, and that is the most amazing thing about being here.”
After Patterson, Bowden took the podium, and began with a number of jokes and anecdotes before launching into the body of his speech. He explained that character comes from the heart, but it also comes from God.
“You want to know how to succeed? You want to know how to get along with people?” Bowden said. “Read Proverbs. My favorite is 4:23: Keep your heart with all diligence, because out of it come all issues of life.”
Bowden said that when he coached, he tried to teach his players as much about how to live as how to play football.
“I get letters from guys I coached 30, 40, 50 years ago. None of them mention football,” he said. “They all say, ‘Thank you coach. Thank you for what you told me.’”
He went on to speak about what he would like his legacy to be.
“I hope that my legacy is that I serve God’s purpose for my life,” Bowden said. “There is a purpose for your life. Mine was to coach. Find your purpose. You’ve got to believe in yourself.”
