The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Softball Honors Martin Luther King Day with Trip to Selma
1/21/2019 5:27:00 PM | Softball
BIRMINGHAM – The UAB softball team took time out of preparing for its upcoming 2019 season to pay tribute and remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and those who took part in the Civil Rights Movement by visiting Selma, Ala.
Assistant coach Joe Guthrie led the team through the city of Selma, stopping along the Alabama River and Grumbles Alley to discuss the history of the city and its importance in the Civil Rights Movement.
"Joe has an extensive knowledge of history and of Alabama history and I appreciate him leading and teaching our team," head coach Jimmy Kolaitis said.
The team walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, as Dr. King and hundreds before had done.
On March 21, 1965 Civil Rights Movement demonstrators marched from Selma, across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, to the Alabama state capitol in Montgomery.
"It is important for us as a staff to make sure we are educating our players on more than just softball," Kolaitis said. "We are tasked with molding our student-athletes and helping them to develop into well rounded individuals. Today on Dr. Martin Luther King Day, it was the perfect time to stop and honor what Dr. King did for our country and our area here in Alabama and tech our players that what they do in the world matters."
Freshman Reece Martin said visiting Selma gave her perspective on what really happened and what people during the Civil Rights Movement went through.
"We learn about it growing up but actually going out and seeing these places in person makes it real," Martin said. "It really wasn't that long ago and its important to remember and learn from their example."
Hoover, Ala. native Destini England echoed Martin in saying that the day was helpful in bringing history to life.
"It was very eye opening," England said. "It was interesting to see these places with my own eyes and give context to what we read in textbooks and history classes."
Assistant coach Joe Guthrie led the team through the city of Selma, stopping along the Alabama River and Grumbles Alley to discuss the history of the city and its importance in the Civil Rights Movement.
"Joe has an extensive knowledge of history and of Alabama history and I appreciate him leading and teaching our team," head coach Jimmy Kolaitis said.
The team walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, as Dr. King and hundreds before had done.
On March 21, 1965 Civil Rights Movement demonstrators marched from Selma, across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, to the Alabama state capitol in Montgomery.
"It is important for us as a staff to make sure we are educating our players on more than just softball," Kolaitis said. "We are tasked with molding our student-athletes and helping them to develop into well rounded individuals. Today on Dr. Martin Luther King Day, it was the perfect time to stop and honor what Dr. King did for our country and our area here in Alabama and tech our players that what they do in the world matters."
Freshman Reece Martin said visiting Selma gave her perspective on what really happened and what people during the Civil Rights Movement went through.
"We learn about it growing up but actually going out and seeing these places in person makes it real," Martin said. "It really wasn't that long ago and its important to remember and learn from their example."
Hoover, Ala. native Destini England echoed Martin in saying that the day was helpful in bringing history to life.
"It was very eye opening," England said. "It was interesting to see these places with my own eyes and give context to what we read in textbooks and history classes."
Players Mentioned
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