Tuscaloosa: More Than the Tide and Touchdowns

When I first moved to San Diego, California three years ago, I told people I moved here from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Savvy sports fans would know it’s the home of Alabama Crimson Tide football. Some might know it’s the home of the University of Alabama. But, mostly people would say “Where?”

Now, much of the nation knows the name Tuscaloosa, because of the tornado that is part of what the National Severe Storms Lab and the Storm Prediction Center says is the worst severe weather event in Alabama’s history and part of the nation’s largest severe weather event. It’s believed 312 tornados touched down across the country, between 8am April 27th until 8am on April 28th. One of the biggest hit Tuscaloosa.

First, some background: I lived in Tuscaloosa for more than a decade, first as a television reporter and anchor, then as a television production teacher. I was born in Monterey, California in a Navy family. We moved about every three years to places like Virginia, Florida, Hawaii, and Mississippi. I came to Alabama for a television job and stayed to teach. I left, because of a real desire to move back to the West coast, close to the beach. I love San Diego and cannot imagine living anywhere else, but I still own a home in Tuscaloosa and have many friends in what the locals call T-town.

I will admit Tuscaloosa’s obsession with Alabama football wore me out during my time there (Tide fans, please continue reading). The love for the Crimson Tide often brings out the best and worst in people. As a diehard Florida Gator fan, that did not help matters. There’s a funny ESPN commercial that appropriately displays a day in the life of the land of “Roll Tide." That video is not far from what I experienced, especially during football season.

But, if T-town was just about the Tide and touchdowns I never would have stayed as long as I did. In Tuscaloosa, I returned to the faith that is at the core of my life today. I interviewed presidents, governors, and some of my favorite performers for television. I answered a call to ministry and teaching. I won three national teaching awards, because of the help and support of thousands of students, co-workers, parents, and community members. I experienced what it means to serve others locally and globally. I made some of my closest friendships. I learned what it’s like to be part of a real church family.

So, from 2,000 miles away, it was heartbreaking to see how much devastation was caused in Tuscaloosa on April 27th. It took me hours to reach some of my friends and almost 12 hours to find out the home I own was not damaged, when whole neighborhoods nearby were wiped off the map. Three schools in my city school district were destroyed. I watched the live stream of my former employer, ABC 33/40 (where I was actually the first reporter to do a live shot on that station), to stay updated throughout that night. In the days after, I was grieved by the national news coverage and all the facebook reports. I felt helpless.

Slowly, though, the coverage changed. The broadcast and social media began to show the Tuscaloosa I know: a community that overcomes in times of hardship; a place where the churches can set aside their differences and join together to help everyone in need; a school district that despite regular controversy ultimately wants what’s best for the children and set up a relief fund to supply the basic needs for students who lost everything; a town where a neighbor literally torn up by the tornado helps others before seeking his own medical attention. I saw Governor Bentley, my former doctor and Tuscaloosa native, standing side by side with President Obama promising Tuscaloosa would receive the help it needs to rebuild.

So, while I am still not a Crimson Tide fan, I am a Tuscaloosa fan. It’s a Southern city that helped transform the life of this man who was anything but Southern (except of course for an extreme love of BBQ pork). For me the “T” in “T-town” stands for “Triumph.” I cannot wait to see how the city recovers and rebuilds.

If you would like to directly help Tuscaloosa City School students impacted by the April 27th tornado, you can provide funds through PayPal or a credit card at the district’s website http://www.tusc.k12.al.us/.