Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
3:10 pm Saturday, August 3, 2002

Sullivan speaks at UWA dinner

By By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
August 3, 2002
LIVINGSTON, Ala. Former Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan was the featured speaker Friday night at the University of West Alabama Kickoff Dinner.
The event held at UWA's Wallace Student Union Building acts as the official opening of the 2002 Tiger football season. West Alabama opens its season on Aug. 31 at Belhaven College in Jackson. Players begin reporting to campus for preseason drills next Friday.
Sullivan, who is currently the offensive coordinator at Alabama-Birmingham, came to Livingston as a favor to second-year Tiger head coach Randy Pippin.
Pippin said he learned a valuable lesson from Sullivan on how to hire assistant coaches.
Sullivan, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1971 as a quarterback for the Auburn Tigers, spoke about the importance of building relationships.
Sullivan told the story of John Washington, a player he had recruited out of a poor east Texas home to play football at TCU. When Sullivan was fired from that job, he met with Washington urging the marginal-at-best student to get his degree.
When Sullivan was leading Auburn to its great season in 1971, his coach was Shug Jordan. Jordan had a motto of the seven "Ds" that Sullivan still believes in. The Ds include discipline, dedication, desire, desperation and when all else fails, just do something.
Afterwards, Sullivan spoke briefly about the upcoming season for the UAB Blazers and Conference USA.
He said the C-USA should have another solid year.
Pippin said he is counting on better days for the West Alabama Tigers. UWA was 1-10 last year.
Guests were able to bid on various sports memorabilia in a silent auction that will benefit the Tigers Athletic programs. One of the highest bidded items was an autographed copy of a 1971 came program from the Alabama-Auburn game. Alabama was ranked No. 3 in the country but Sullivan led Auburn to one of the biggest upsets in that storied rivalry.

Also on Franklin County Times
County school board adopts $52M budget
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE Franklin County Schools has adopted a $52 million budget for fiscal year 2026, reflecting a $2.5 million increase over last year. The bud...
Judge denies YO status for Phinizee
Main, News, Z - News Main
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
September 17, 2025
FLORENCE — Youthful offender status was denied Tuesday for a 17-year-old charged with the death of a 13-yearold during what authorities said was a rob...
RCS passes $43.3M budget
Main, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- The city school board has approved a $43.3 million budget for the 2025-26 school year. Chief Financial Officer Lisa Witt said revenues...
Program tackles stress of caregiver burnout
News, Records, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- Many people deal with caregiver burnout. Kids and Kin childcare partner Marquita Wilson presented a program at the Russellville Public...
Flavil Wayne McCaig
Obituaries
September 17, 2025
Flavil Wayne McCaig Sept. 12, 2025   Flavil Wayne McCaig, 82, of Russellville, passed away Sept. 12 at his residence. He was born March 3, 1943, to Au...
Cultura Garden Club begins its year with roses and plans for fall
Columnists, News, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
September 17, 2025
The Cultura Garden Club held its first meeting of the year. President Cheri McCain presided. She provided information on projects and programs for the...
We can’t afford to lose electric vehicle industry
Columnists, Opinion
September 17, 2025
In Alabama, we understand what it means to build things that matter. We’ve long been home to builders and winners – our steel won wars and built the s...
Firefighters, cadets honor 9/11 with stair climbs
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Firefighters and RHS JROTC cadets participated in a stair climb in recognition of the 24th anniversary of 9-11. Sgt. Grant Tarascou and...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *