Anyone who knows me knows that the Pelham Panthers are my favorite team. As far as college football goes, I’m married to a huge Alabama fan, and my oldest daughter is a sophomore at Alabama. My house is all about the Crimson Tide on fall Saturdays-or most recently, on Jan. 7 when the Tide played Texas.

After Alabama captured the national championship, my family was so thrilled that my normally asleep–by–10 husband offered to go out that night for T–shirts.

Friday morning brought lots of sleepy students and national championship talk to my classroom. My students’ excitement reminded me that we have many devoted Tide fans and Crimson connections in Pelham.

One Pelham connection to Tuscaloosa is Meredith Tittle, an 2009 Pelham graduate who currently is a freshman at Alabama and works with UA sports.

“My job deals with promotions that happen during sporting events. We do everything from throwing T–shirts to helping on the set of all the videos that are shown before games to selecting winners of certain prizes,” Tittle said.

Tittle’s mom, Pelham resident Vicki Tittle, said, “Meredith loves her job and the University of Alabama. She is a true, true Crimson Tide fan.”

As a matter of fact, Tittle was raised to be a Tide fan, not only by her family, but also by her Cedar Cove neighborhood-especially the Midgette family who hosts neighborhood celebrations during the UA games.

“The Midgettes started planning themes for Alabama games basing the menu on the mascot of the team we played that week,” Tittle said.

Not only did this neighborhood roast a pig for the Arkansas game, they ate alligator during the Florida game. Tittle said, “Even though I’m attending the home games this year, when I hear that first ‘Roll Tide,’ I think of the times I spent at my neighbor’s house and the memories that were made there. I remember sitting by my dad’s knee so we could talk about the players and what the coaches said during the week.”

Meredith didn’t go to Pasadena, so she was back in Pelham with her family and friends to watch the national championship. However, Pelham definitely had representation at the game.

Beth Ansley, ‘98 PHS grad and ‘02 Alabama grad, traveled to California and enjoyed the game with several of her old PHS classmates.

“Being at the National Championship game in Pasadena was a fabulous experience. The most memorable thing about the trip was seeing so many faithful followers of Alabama having traveled across the country to support and cheer on the team. I am so proud of the Crimson Tide and the way they represented our state! Roll Tide,” Ansley said.

Connie Nolen can be reached by e–mail at CNolen@Shelbyed.k12.al.us.