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."

OSG High: Phil Campbell Returns To The Field

((HT: WAAY-TV Huntsville))

Admittedly, when something hits you as close as the April tornadoes did the HQ, it makes you think...

And think hard...

So, as part of our TWTW coverage on the OSG High side, we're giving you a glimpse into the world of what we get to see every week during the summer and fall- small towns that wrap themselves around their football teams...

You see the work we do with Ringgold ((GA)) High and now, we'll keep you posted on Phil Campbell ((AL)) high as well... 38 people in a town of 1,200 or so were lost on that day four months ago...

And they haven't quit since...

Erika Odell has the story before and behind in their game with Cold Springs


WHNT-TV's coverage is hyah...

We'll follow Phil Campbell along all season and update you on their progress as well...

Yes, we have our reasons...

OSG High: Ringgold Wins Week One

((HT: WTVC-TV/Newschannel9.com))

We've chronicled the ups and downs of the Ringgold High School football team and the town after the April tornadoes that effected Alabama and Georgia...

Our latest foray and visit of the rebuilding of RHS is hyah, thanks to me over at GPB Sports...

Georgia high school football is in its second full week of doing games, and The Tigers had their season opener at their home away from home for the year- UTC's Finley Stadium- against rival Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe ((or "LFO" as the locals say))...

Let's just say it was a good night...

Here's Nate, Dave, and Darrell with the story...


Week 2 puts the Tigers in Murphy, North Carolina against Murphy High...

Help Joplin Rebuild... A Before And After...

((HT: John Metcalfe))

Admittedly, the HQ has been wrapped up in a few projects this summer- two of them involve the nastiest natural disasters that the HQ's HQ has seen in a long time...

We found this report on the WJLA-TV website when we were trying to stay updated on the Roger Clemens perjury trial...

From Metcalfe's report:

159 people died when a multivortex EF-5 tornado visited Joplin, Missouri on May 22nd. Think Joplin is far along the road to recovery by now? This video might make you reconsider.

The upper slice of the screen shows footage recorded on a drive-through of Joplin’s 20th Street in August. It’s a verdant, pleasant Southern scene. Below that is a horrorscape of imploded houses and denuded trunks recorded just last week, on July 8. The destruction just goes on, and on, and on.

Here's his video presentation...


Go to HelpJoplinRebuild.com or HelpJoplin.com to help their efforts...
Go to ToomersForTuscaloosa.com for aid in Alabama...
And go to the Help Catoosa Facebook page to assist Georgia in their efforts...

Full disclosure: The HQ is involved in these causes...