Kines, Bama Club present scholarships to students

By George L. Jones

The Selma Times-Journal

Joe Kines has given a lot to the University of Alabama.

In two stints as defensive coordinator of the Crimson Tide’s football team – including one game in which he served as interim head coach –

he has become a part of its athletic tradition.

And Thursday night, he helped the Dallas-Wilcox Bama Club usher in a small portion of the school’s next freshmen class.

Kines was the guest speaker during the club’s annual spring meeting, during which seven students each received $1,000 endowed scholarships.

“I spoke at a graduation a little while ago, and I think young people are the lifeblood of our school and our country,” Kines said. “My generation is going out, and there’s a generation coming behind me. It’s a great challenge we have to prepare the youths of this country.”

Walking back and forth with the energy and boisterous voice that are his trademarks, Kines shared life experiences, talked football and encouraged the students to take part in the school’s evolving academic experience.

He told them to take part in as many things as possible, whether they are prospective athletes or not.

Mark Mosley, a recent graduate or Morgan Academy, was one of the scholarship recipients and plans to major in business.

“I’m happy to be receiving the scholarship,” Moseley said. “It’s going to help out a lot. I’m glad the Bama Club did this for us.”

Although he didn’t receive a scholarship from the club, Morgan Academy graduate Houston Searcy was present and was recognized for receiving a Presidential Scholarship that will cover tuition for four years.

According to scholarship chair James McNeill, the Bama Club has come a long way since it awarded $10,000 through an endowment from Sam Earle Hobbs.

“Today we have four endowed scholarships for a total of $80,000 off earnings from those endowments,” he said. “We like to have fun, but we want to make sure we can keep kids going to the University of Alabama. Over 19 years, we’ve awarded approximately $35,000-$40,000 in scholarships.”

Scholarship winners:

Robert Summerville – Morgan Academy/Betty Jean Perkins McKelvey Memorial Scholarship

Jennifer Stewart – Morgan Academy/Betty Jean Perkins McKelvey Memorial Scholarship

Megan Stough – Morgan Academy/Sam Earle Hobbs Scholarship

Mark Mosley – Morgan Academy/Sam Earle Hobbs Scholarship

Malcolm Sims – Wilcox Academy/Blackbelt Scholarship

Sam Belvin – Alabama School of Math and Science/Blackbelt Scholarship

Kevin Pugh – Dallas County High/Sterling Price Rainer Memorial Scholarship