John Servati's Girlfriend Speaks Out

((HT: MyFoxAl/WBRC))

The University of Alabama community has been in mourning since it was discovered that swimmer John Servati died in the most recent round of storms that passed through the southeast earlier this week.

He was seeking shelter in a basement when a retaining wall gave way and he died from the injuries involved in protecting his girlfriend, Lauren Swann.

Here's her story from the night as she spoke publicly for the first time...


Servati was the only fatality from the storms that hit Tuscaloosa, but it's still one too many...

The HQ has the thoughts of the Crimson Tide in ours in this tough time...

Alabama Swimmer Dies In Monday Storms

((HT: ABC3340/Birmingham))

The University of Alabama confirmed that one of the fatalities in the storms that ravaged the southeastern United States yesterday was a member of the swim team.

Junior John Servati was in a friend's basement when a retention wall gave way. He was a Dean's Lister and was on the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Servati, from Tupelo, Mississippi, set state records in high school in the 200M freestyle and 100M backstroke.

Here's the story from overnight...
ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, Sports

Alabama's head swim coach, Dennis Pursley, released a statement through the swim team's Twitter:

"During this incredibly difficult time, our thoughts & prayers go out to the Servati family & to all who knew John. John Servati was an extraordinary young man of great character and warmth who had a tremendously giving spirit. John will forever be in our hearts and a part of the Crimson Tide legacy."

UA's Director of Athletics, Bill Battle and the swim team captain, Phillip Deaton, made statements in a press release from the university's Athletics Department.

"We are all saddened to learn of the untimely death of John Servati," UA Director of Athletics Bill Battle said. "He was a model student-athlete who excelled in his sport of swimming, his pursuit of excellence in academics, and his value as a son, brother, friend and teammate to all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to John's family and friends as we grieve his passing."

"John definitely had a genuine heart," Alabama team captain Phillip Deaton said. "He was a carefree guy who always had this huge smile on his face. He was my training partner for three years and I can tell you that while he liked to goof around and have fun, when he stepped up on the block he was intensely focused - he was a competitor and an amazing teammate. As a team, we are doing the best we can right now."

Legendary UGA Swim Coach Suspended for NCAA Allegations

Photo Courtesy: UGA

((ht: onlineathens.com))

It's not one of the "Big Ticket" NCAA Sports, but Swimming and Diving are sports that many Colleges have had great success.

One of the most successful, the University of Georgia under the guidance of coach Jack Bauerle.

Bauerle has run the school's wildly successful programs since the l979 and has been an Olympic Coach. He's also in the swimming and diving hall of fame.

He's now also on the short list of coaches under investigation for serious violations of NCAA rules.

Bauerle is accused of getting one of his star swimmers admitted to a class after the enrollment deadline and according to the NCAA's investigation, got that swimmer, Chase Kalisz a passing grade despite Kalisz not doing any course work.

The school has been cooperating with the NCAA in the
investigation and suspended Bauerle until all investigations are completed.

Read more from OnlineAthens.com RIGHT HERE

For his part, Bauerle has been apologetic, but the question now is; "Is it too late?"

We've interviewed Bauerle many times and he's been nothing but the widely respected, class guy everyone says he is.

Which makes what happened perplexing and may put Georgia in a very difficult position. How do you part ways with someone who's taken your program to unprecedented heights?

We suspect the answer probably will lie in how severe the NCAA Penalties are...