Category Archives: Sports

Hosting Major League Baseball affirms how far Birmingham has fallen

Major League Baseball at Rickwood Field 2024
Major League Baseball at Rickwood Field 2024

By David Sher

This is painful, but at a time when we should be celebrating one of Birmingham’s biggest moments, we must take a moment to reflect.

It’s not that I didn’t love the ‘Field of Dreams’ major league baseball game at Rickwood. I loved it with all my heart. Continue reading Hosting Major League Baseball affirms how far Birmingham has fallen

Even Nick Saban can’t fix this Alabama problem

Nick Saban, Head Football Coach at the University of Alabama
Nick Saban, Head Football Coach at the University of Alabama

By David Sher

Nick Saban has had a profound impact on the University of Alabama and our State.

The hiring of Coach Saban will likely go down as one of the best hiring decisions in college sports’ history. Continue reading Even Nick Saban can’t fix this Alabama problem

Why World Games chose Birmingham

Alan Register
Alan Register

Today’s guest columnist is Alan Register.

The first World Games were played in Santa Clara, California in 1981.

They have not been played in America since.

Why then did they choose Birmingham?

And while we’re at it, why did the USFL select Birmingham?

There’s a simple answer, “a crazy idea” and “a winning streak.” Continue reading Why World Games chose Birmingham

Birmingham’s best bet for major league sports

John Harbert
John Harbert

Today’s guest columnist is John Harbert.

Birmingham is one of only a few large metros in the U.S. with no major league sports team. (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, or MLS)

We have the baseball Barons, the basketball Squadron, and now the football USFL Stallions.

But none will likely lead us to major league sports. Continue reading Birmingham’s best bet for major league sports

Greatest college football team was not coached by Saban

Norman Jetmundsen wearing vintage football helmet
Norman Jetmundsen wearing vintage football helmet

Today’s guest columnist is Norman Jetmundsen.

In the country as a whole — and certainly in Alabama — college football is tantamount to a religion.

It’s what people read, write, watch, talk and argue about, not just during the season, but all year round.

It is natural, therefore, that much time and energy is spent in debating who were the greatest teams in the history of the game. Continue reading Greatest college football team was not coached by Saban

UAB President Watts had a rough 2014—what’s happened since?

Dr. Ray Watts
Dr. Ray Watts

On December 4, 2014, I did something I had never done before and have never had to do again.

On that day, as publisher of ComebackTown, I published a column which I naively titled, “UAB lucky to have Ray Watts as President.”

Two days earlier Dr. Watts had announced the cancellation of UAB Blazer football.

The response was immediate, ugly, and personal. Continue reading UAB President Watts had a rough 2014—what’s happened since?

My life doesn’t revolve around Alabama and Auburn football

Adam Stermer

Today’s guest columnist is Adam Stermer.

I moved to Alabama in High School.

I was immediately struck by the natural beauty of the state, and having spent most of my short lifetime relocating often, I was excited and nervous to begin learning about my new home.

Meeting people and making new friends was a reality I was familiar with, but it’s never easy. While there were expected differences from places I’d lived in the past, one experience stands out. Continue reading My life doesn’t revolve around Alabama and Auburn football

The story behind the greatest Bama basketball team ever

Bill Ivey
Bill Ivey

Today’s guest columnist is Bill Ivey.

For all the right reasons, University of Alabama basketball is currently a hot topic.

Coach Nate Oats has it figured out: He recruits at a high level, he understands how to create a structured atmosphere that allows for creativity, and he knows that he can win big at Alabama.

It seems that Coach Oats is building a foundation that could lead to a national championship. Continue reading The story behind the greatest Bama basketball team ever

We’re going to take Samford to the NCAA Championship–and we’re going to win

Bucky McMillan, Head Coach Samford University
Bucky McMillan, Head Coach Samford University

Today’s guest columnist is Bucky McMillan.

My love for the game of basketball runs deep. So does my love for Birmingham.

When I first became the head basketball coach at Mountain Brook High School some people would have laughed at the thought of Mountain Brook becoming a perennial powerhouse in the state of Alabama and a nationally recognized program.

At the time, it would have sounded a bit farfetched.
Continue reading We’re going to take Samford to the NCAA Championship–and we’re going to win

Can professional soccer change Birmingham?

Darin White
Darin White

ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a more prosperous Birmingham.

Today’s guest blogger is  Darin White.  If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.

On March 9th full-fledged, professional soccer kicks off in Birmingham for the first time ever. The global game, that is played in 209 countries around the world, is coming to Birmingham. Continue reading Can professional soccer change Birmingham?