Roll Tide: Celina resident to make Alabama history

What makes the headlines in Alabama, usually does not make its way to a small Texas town like Celina.At least until this week. The University of Alabama and the "A" Club announced this week that Crimson Tide history will be made this fall when Denton Liberty Christian graduate and Celina resident Trey Waldrep attends his first class in Tuscaloosa.Waldrep became the first person to receive the Paul Bear Bryant endowed scholarship that was not a relative of a former football player. As one of more than 25 to be awarded the scholarship in 2006, Waldrep received the honor thanks to a horrific accident.That accident came in 1974 when Texas Christian traveled to Alabama for a football game. During that game, Kent Waldrep, Trey's father, suffered a broken neck during a play and was paralyzed."Coach Bryant was a most generous, caring man, and he took special interest in Kent," Mal Moore said in a press release. Moore is the current Athletic Director at Alabama and was an assistant coach for the Tide during that fateful day in 1974. "I think the fact that his son will be on a Bryant Scholarship is a tribute to what Coach Bryant has done for so many of his former players and in his mind, Kent was a part of the Crimson Tide. I know the Waldrep family was really excited when Trey said he wanted to attend Alabama and we are happy to have him among the incoming freshman class of 2006."And while Waldrep played for TCU, it was the famous head coach who made the Horned Frog an honorary member of the "A" Club.The news of this history-making scholarship offer has been flying around the Crimson State. For the past few days, both Waldreps have been fielding interview calls from local newspapers and radio stations throughout the state. Ever since that day, the Waldrep family has remained close with not only Bryant's family, but the entire Alabama community."To have a relationship with a man like Paul 'Bear' Bryant was incredible," said the elder Waldrep. "He shared with me the thoughts and motivational remarks that really inspired me to do a lot. The whole situation with this injury has put my life on a path that is completely different than it was if I could have finished my career in sports."Because of his injury, Waldrep has been able to make a difference in the lives of other disabled people, and that, he says, is the one reason he is grateful his career did not stay in the athletic arena.But now, that hard work and effort has paid off for his family in the form of a nearly-complete scholarship. Trey attended and played baseball at Liberty Christian since his junior year. Prior to that, he was a student at Celina, where he played varsity ball as a sophomore. His high school career finished with a pitching record of 21-7, with 12 saves and a .388 batting average. He was an all-district selection in both his sophomore and senior seasons.And now, thanks to the Bryant scholarship, the 2006 graduate will have the opportunity to walk on to the baseball team at Alabama."We took Trey to visit the campus and he loved it," said his father. "He wanted to apply there, but he did so without informing anyone in the athletic department."Soon enough, word traveled from the admissions office to the athletic department office. And when Alabama traveled to Dallas to take part in the Cotton Bowl, the Waldreps were made aware of the "A" Club's plans."They had us out with the team and told Trey that they'd be giving him the scholarship," Waldrep said.Since Coach Bryant's death in 1983, his son Paul Bryant Jr., has been the administrator of the scholarship fund. The long-lasting ties with Bryant's family will surely continue hence forth."Everybody in Alabama feels like I'm part of the team, even though it was (out of) the realm of what they've normally given scholarships for," Waldrep said. "We love the University of Alabama like it's our school. I feel as comfortable in Alabama as I do in Texas. They make us feel like we are part of the family, and they always have. It's a blessing for me, but it's a real tribute to the character of that university and the people in the state."