Crimson Notes 6/16/10

Did someone mention a statue?

In news that will make Tide fans giddy, the University of Alabama Board of Trustees are expected to officially approve the erection of the “ever talked about”…Nick Saban statue.

The statue will honor Nick Saban as a champion and will place him with Wallace Wade, Frank Thomas, Paul "Bear" Bryant, and Gene Stallings, who also have statues on the “Walk of Champions” outside of
Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Saban’s statue will be mounted and unveiled between Aug. 13 and Aug. 20.

The unveiling will roughly coincide (two or three weeks) with the first game of the 2010 season against San Jose State.

The sculpture will be 150-percent life-size, bronze, and will be placed on a granite pedestal made of India red fine grain.

In other news, Vinnie Sunseri, the son of ‘Bama linebackers coach Sal Sunseri, has pledged to play his college football at the University of Alabama. Sunseri chose Alabama over Pittsburgh, Louisville, and Memphis.

Major recruiting outlets Rivals.com and Scouts.com, consider Sunseri to be a
three-star prospect.

With his verbal commitment to Alabama, Vinnie Sunseri becomes the 14th commitment for the 2011 signing/recruiting class.

Could Alabama and UCLA tangle in 2012? Reports suggest a door has opened which would allow UCLA to play the Crimson Tide on a neutral site to open the 2012 campaign.

UCLA had (and still has) a scheduled game with Nebraska in 2012. However, due to the Cornhuskers leaving the Big 12 for the Big Ten, Nebraska could “ask out” of the UCLA game.

If Nebraska bows outs of the contest with UCLA, look for the Crimson Tide and the Bruins to make a deal.

Nick Saban and Alabama want one high-profile non-conference game each season.

Alabama will face Penn State in Tuscaloosa this fall, and will make the trip to University Park in 2011.

Coach Saban recently said that ESPN has presented the Crimson Tide with a total of five different opponents for the 2012 season. The ESPN proposed games would either be in Atlanta or Dallas, giving light to a possible Chick-fil-A College Kickoff match-up with a solid powerhouse.

As reported in March, Alabama and Texas Tech were in talks to open the 2012 season in Arlington, Texas at the new Cowboys Stadium. However, nothing has been made official at this time.