Something a little different!

Melia and I had a chance to participate in something a little different than what we normally do. My great-uncle, Jack Kelly (yes, my dad is named after him), is a very very big UAH Charger basketball (and Alabama football! Roll Tide!) supporter and has been for years. He actually travels across the United States with them during their season to watch them play (did I mention he is in his 80s? :)) Uncle Jack donated the money for UAH to do some upgrades to their program, and in return, UAH dedicated their ball court to Uncle Jack, except he asked that they name it the "George Artis and Ethel Atchley Kelly Court" which is my great-grandparents. They had a court dedication between the mens and womens basketball games last night (November 14th 2011). It was actually pretty cool! They had court-side seats set up for the family....I never realized how HUGE college basketball players were, it was a little scary being that close to them!! lol. Kade went with us and he was thrilled, he loved every minute of it. Below is the official logo that is on the court and the press release that UAH has on their website. I took a lot of pictures but haven't downloaded them yet, I will add those when I get them finished.



HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Following a very generous donation from retired Huntsville businessman Jack Kelly, the gymnasium playing floor at Spragins Hall will be named the George Artis and Ethel Atchley Kelly Court, the University of Alabama in Huntsville Department of Athletics announced Monday.

The naming of the court was approved by the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama System on Sept. 16, and the logo will be painted on the floor on Oct. 11-12 to ensure that the floor will bear the new name in time for Midnight Madness, which will take place on Oct. 15 at 12:01 a.m.

“Jack Kelly is a man who is widely respected in the Huntsville community, and it is with great pleasure that we adorn our basketball and volleyball playing court with the names of both of his parents," said Director of Athletics Dr. E.J. Brophy. "Mr. Kelly has always been a strong supporter of UAH Athletics and we greatly appreciate his generosity as we continue to strive to take our athletic programs to new heights”.

The Kelly gift will make possible the creation of a state-of-the-art film room, additional donor room, locker room renovations and video boards in the Spragins Gymnasium. The Chargers are coming off of an impressive 29-5 campaign in 2010-11 that saw them win the Gulf South Conference East Division crown, the South Regional Championship and advance to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in Springfield, Mass.