At the core of Alabama Athletics' mission is a commitment to the total support of the educational, athletic and personal development of our student-athletes, which is in alignment with The University of Alabama's goal of providing a premier undergraduate and graduate education that offers a global perspective and is characterized by outstanding teaching, high-quality scholarship and distinctive curricular and co-curricular programs.

Many critical components of the student-athlete experience are typically funded by revenues generated from football TIDE PRIDE contributions and ticket sales. Out of concern for the safety and health of our student-athletes, staff and fans, and in compliance with local, state, and federal public health guidance, the 2020 Alabama football season will take place with reduced seating capacity. A reduction in seating capacity at Bryant-Denny Stadium this fall means less revenues to support the aforementioned critical components of the student-athlete experience.

The Crimson Tide Foundation and Alabama Director of Athletics Greg Byrne have established the Crimson Core Fund in direct response to the financial challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Though Alabama Athletics has implemented cost containment measures including reductions in operating budgets for all of our departments and sports, a freeze on vacant non-coaching positions as well as facility operating and energy savings, these savings alone are not enough to make up the difference. Donations to the Crimson Core Fund will help cover the costs associated with scholarship benefits, academic support, leadership development, nutrition and dining, sports medicine and strength and conditioning. Generating philanthropic support to cover these expenses this fiscal year is absolutely crucial to our strategic priorities of achieving academic and competitive excellence and providing for the welfare of our student-athletes.

We urge you to consider donating to the Crimson Core Fund today. Contributors to this fund will receive three (3) Tide Totals priority points per $100 donated. With your gift, you will affirm the value of a University of Alabama education and help ensure that Alabama Athletics' tradition of academic and competitive excellence, as well as its comprehensive student-athlete experience, continues despite these challenging times.