UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA FCA NEWSLETTER October 30, 2002

JOHN DAVID PHILLIPS, FORMER BAMA QB & FCA LEADER,

IS TONIGHT’S FCA SPEAKER AT 9

On his first play in Bryant-Denny Stadium as a true freshman against Vanderbilt in 1994, John David Phillips went down on the kickoff and made the tackle.

“When I heard all those thousands of fans yelling and screaming, I was hooked that day of the thrill of being an Alabama football player,” John David remembers. He played in all 12 games as a freshman on specialty teams and as a defensive back.

With several quarterbacks, John David’s athletic ability found him also playing wide receiver, until he moved into his natural position at quarterback. He was redshirted his second year and was the Scout Team quarterback with Shaun Alexander and Chris Samuels in 1995. In 1996-97, he was backup quarterback to Freddie Kitchens. He made his first start at quarterback against BYU on ESPN in the 1998 opener, the year the east side upper deck and 85 skyboxes were added. Alabama won 38-31 as he passed for 187 yards completing 17 of 29 passes. He lost his job midway into the season, but his spiritual leadership was a strong presence on the team that he served as co-captain.

John David was an outstanding FCA leader and one of our finest student/athlete speakers. He showed spiritual maturity far beyond his years in the face of adversity. He stood tall and was an inspiration. Last year, he married Reagan Croyle, who played on the women’s basketball team. That gave the Croyle family two quarterbacks and lots to be proud of. John is a pharmaceutical rep. He and Reagan live in Northport.

Tonight, John David will share his faith and issue a challenge. A gifted speaker, you will be blessed by his talk. Come and bring a friend at 9 at the College Annex.

THOUGHTS

“A man can be as great as he wants to be. If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the dedication, the competitive drive, and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life and pay the price for the things that are worthwhile, it can be done”…Coach Vince Lombardi

“The ultimate victory in competition is derived from the inner satisfaction of knowing that you have done your best and that you have gotten the most of what you had to give”…Howard Cosell

“God specializes in using the obscure to accomplish the awesome”…Bruce Wilkinson

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon Him while He is near”…Isaiah 55:6