Coach Dabo Swinney Shares ‘Fundamentals for Excellence’ at University of Mobile banquet

Coach Dabo Swinney Shares ‘Fundamentals for Excellence’ at University of Mobile banquet

 

University of Mobile (UM) raised more than $120,000 for student scholarships at the sold-out 13th annual UM Scholarship Banquet with keynote speaker Coach Dabo Swinney.

Swinney, an Alabama native, shared his “fundamentals for excellence,” along with insights into the game of football, life lessons and a call to support the mission of UM on Feb. 27.

One of the top head football coaches in the nation, Clemson University head coach William Christopher “Dabo” Swinney is a former University of Alabama wide receiver and an outspoken Christian.

Referring frequently to Scripture, Swinney spoke of the joy the game of football gives and how it brings diverse people together. He talked about dreaming big, taking risks, setting goals, seeking wisdom from others and the importance of education.

As the first person in his family to graduate from college, “My education changed my entire family’s life,” Swinney said. “Football is a vocation. Education is a career.”

And, he added, unlike a job that can end or a home that can be destroyed by fire, “They cannot take my education away.”

“Education matters. It’s the key to our future,” he said.

“It’s so important we’re here tonight, to help provide an education for somebody,” he said. “There’s some Dabos out there that are going to get his or her education and go and do amazing things in their life. You may never meet some of these students, but to know that you’ve had an impact in some young person getting their education – it’s a powerful thing.”

The university’s Voices of Mobile and RamCorps ensembles entertained the audience of more than 700 at the Arthur Outlaw Convention Center in downtown Mobile.

UM President Timothy L. Smith thanked supporters for their partnership and prayers.

“As we think about the many students who will receive scholarships made possible through the annual scholarship banquet, we are thankful for a community that supports and partners with us to provide higher education for a higher purpose,” Smith said.

The UM Scholarship Banquet brings speakers of national prominence to the Mobile area while raising scholarships for UM students. Previous UM Scholarship Banquet speakers were New York Times best-selling author and leadership expert John Maxwell, Fox News Channel’s chief political anchor Bret Baier, neurosurgeon and presidential candidate Ben Carson, President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, Col. Oliver North, presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, presidential candidate and Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, Georgia Gov. and U.S. Sen. Zell Miller and New York Times best-selling author Andy Andrews. (UM)