Legendary football coach Stallings to visit Athens

Former University of Alabama head coach Gene Stallings will be the guest speaker at an Athens Bible School benefit dinner April 23.

ABS Principal Joe Olson said Tuesday that proceeds from the dinner would go to relocate the ball fields from the campus to school-owned property on U.S. 31 North.

“The fields will be located just north of the funeral home (Limestone Chapel) and on this side of the creek, across from the Sportsplex,” Olson said. “There will be baseball, softball, soccer and a concession stand.”

Olson said moving the sports fields would give the school space to eventually expand.

“As it is now, we’re landlocked,” Olson said.

Stallings, who began his college football career playing for Paul “Bear” Bryant, became the UA head football coach in January 1990. During the seven years Stallings was at Alabama, the Crimson Tide won the national championship in 1992, won four SEC Western Division titles: ‘92, ‘93, ‘94 and ‘96, and made six post-season bowl appearances.

Stallings retired in 1996 after amassing a coaching record of 70-16-1(.810), a winning percentage that ranks fourth in UA history.

Tickets, which are $100 each or $500 for a table of six, go on sale Monday at the school office and Tuesday on the school’s Web site: athensbibleschool.org

“There are also corporate sponsorships available that include a private reception with Stallings,” Olson said.

For more information, call the school office at (256) 232-3525.