SWAC’s stay in Birmingham may be ending
The SWAC conference may decide to relocate their offices and the SWAC championship games in both football and basketball. According to a press release reported on by the 2Theadvocate.com in Louisiana, The league’s council of presidents and chancellors discussed a possible move in a meeting last Friday. The SWAC has been in Birmingham since 1999; it was previously located in New Orleans. According to reports, several cities have bid to host both the headquarters and the postseason events, though conference commissioner Robert Vowels declined to provide the names of potential suitors.
He did not, but the elected officials in Shreveport, LA were more than happy to share a supposed list of potential suitors back in late November when they were making plans to land the 2007-2009 outdoor track and field championships.
Council approval for renovations to Lee Hedges Stadium could bring SWAC track meet, The Shreveport Times, November 28, 2006
Shreveport’s list included Atlanta, GA; Dallas, TX; Houston, TX; Jackson, MS and Alexandria, LA. Yesterday’s Birmingham News also reported on the potential of the SWAC relocating.
SWAC’s future in city remains unclear, The Birmingham News, January 17, 2007
The Huntsville Times even got into the act in today’s paper, while looking at changes to the football season and at the effect a recent bid by Conference USA to host their basketball tournament would have on the SWAC tournament.
SWAC’s nine-game football format going back to seven, The Huntsville Times, January, 19, 2007
Huntsville’s list of cities that submitted bids to host the headquarters includes Alexandria & New Orleans, LA, Houston, Jackson and Memphis, TN. Conference officials are scheduled to meet again in 60 days to review additional information. One would hope that they would stay in the market and help build on the recent success insofar as collegiate sports is concerned.
Exhibit featuring photography of O.V. Hunt opens today
Venture on up to Vulcan Park today to see their newest exhibit featuring photographs by O.V. Hunt chronicling the early days of Birmingham, Alabama. The images are archived at the Birmingham Public Library, which posted about the exhibit on their blog today. You’ve got some time to see the images; they’ll be up until July 20. But I think you’d love to see them sooner though, wouldn’t you. Especially since a Gallery Talk will be held this Sunday, January 21 at 2 p.m. Frances Hobb, a photographic historian from Huntsville will be on hand to provide some insight on the images. Click here to learn more about the exhibit and the Gallery Talk. You can always go up to the observation deck afterwards and enjoy the changes that have already taken place.
YP makes national magazine list
Considering how much stuff we’ve written about YPs in the last year, I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out a recent accomplishment for one of them. Deidra Perry was recently featured in Ebony Magazine as one of their top 30 under 30 young leaders for this year. The Birmingham Times has an article in this week’s edition. Perry is one of a large number of young professionals that represent the potential for the Magic City as it enters the 21st century. Also, a happy belated birthday to you; Ms. Perry turned 30 earlier this month.
Perry selected as one of Ebony Magazine’s Top 30 under 30 Young Leaders of the Future 2007, The Birmingham Times, 1.18.2007
Enjoy the weekend and if you can, go on out and take part in (or at least watch the funny red noses) at the annual Red Nose Run, taking place tomorrow morning at Colonial Brookwood Village. Click here to learn more about it and to register (if you haven’t already).
Cheers.
