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."

Thunder Visit Moore, Oklahoma

((HT: Newsok.com))

Simply, it was the Oklahoma City Thunder's turn...

Players like Russell Westbrook and Hasheem Thabeet along with GM Sam Presti made their tour of the devastation in Moore. Since they couldn't get into the areas immediately after the tornadoes, they went to cheer up who they could in hospital.

FOSG Berry Tramel was around and caught up with Presti, who now understands about what everyone calls the Oklahoma Standard:

“We understand the Oklahoma Standard and stand ready to serve the people that have supported us,” Presti said.

“When our players run out of the tunnel wearing Oklahoma City across their chest, that doesn't end after 82 games.”

Thunder fans weren't the only people wearing Thunder gear at Ground Zero. The Thunder entourage did, too.

Presti, Brooks and the players wore leftover T-shirts from one of the playoff games. White T-shirts. With a word across the front.

“Community.”

Here's a look at some of what they saw...

In other news around Moore, the three schools in the state are combining resources to show their support on t-shrts that can be purchased on the OU online store.

The folks at restorejoplin.org are doing the same thing...

The HQ is encouraging support of everyone in Oklahoma in a way you see fit...

ICYMI: Kevin Durant Continues Helping Tornado Victims

We've said it before: We respect the heck out of athletes willing to give back.

That's why we can never say enough good things about Oklahoma City Thunder Forward and star Kevin Durant.

On the heels of his $1 million dollar donation to the American Red Cross (one matched by his team and the NBAPA), he went out to Moore, Oklahoma to see firsthand what happened and to help distribute supplies to those who need them.

Here's some video from the Red Cross their ownselves:



If you want to help the Red Cross help Tornado Victims, the best way to do it is donate. To donate, text REDCROSS to 90999 and make a $10 donation. Every little bit helps.

Here's a full story from NewsOK.com: