‘This is just the beginning’: Saban Center celebrates groundbreaking in Tuscaloosa [PHOTOS]
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Nick and Terry Saban are making sure their legacy in Tuscaloosa goes well beyond the football field.
And that was the theme of the day as the couple joined city officials and community leaders for the official groundbreaking celebration for the Saban Center.
The $120 million facility will provide hands-on learning experiences for students and educators, serving as Alabama’s STEM hub.
“Coaching is teaching, teaching is the ability to inspire learning. This is going to be an inspiration for young people to be able to learn, grow and create opportunities to improve the quality of life in the future.”
Nick Saban
Keep reading to learn more about Wednesday’s celebration, see what the construction site currently looks like + learn about a new partnership involving the Saban Center.
Groundbreaking celebrations
Saban Center groundbreaking (Caleb Turrentine / The Bama Buzz) 
Saban Center groundbreaking (Caleb Turrentine / The Bama Buzz) 
Saban Center groundbreaking (Caleb Turrentine / The Bama Buzz) 
Saban Center groundbreaking (Caleb Turrentine / The Bama Buzz) 
Saban Center groundbreaking (Caleb Turrentine / The Bama Buzz) 
Saban Center groundbreaking (Caleb Turrentine / The Bama Buzz)
Although construction has been happening on the site for a few months, the community gathered Wednesday morning at the Tuscaloosa River Market to officially celebrate the groundbreaking.
The day opened with a performance from the Tuscaloosa Children’s Theater called “What is the Saban Center?”
Over the following half hour, the day’s VIPs would take to the microphone to answer that question and speak more about what the project means to them. Those who spoke included:
- Gov. Kay Ivey
- Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox
- Nick Saban
- Terry Saban
- Saban Center Director Audrey Buck
Maddox took the time to specifically praise Miss Terry’s involvement with the project from the start.
“The reason we’re going to be able to do this is because of the drive, vision and passion of Terry Saban… All of us are here because of Terry Saban’s vision and passion for children.”
Walt Maddox, Tuscaloosa mayor
Maddox, who has been mayor in Tuscaloosa since 2005, also made sure his family was in attendance. He spoke to them directly during his speech, wanting them to remember the day for the rest of their lives.
“I wanted Stephanie, and especially Eli and Taylor, to remember this day 50 years from now. Remember where they were. Because I believe the Saban Center will be that successful for Tuscaloosa and Alabama.”
Walt Maddox, Tuscaloosa mayor
That sentiment was echoed by every speaker throughout the morning as the dream of the Saban Center begins to take shape and become more of a reality.
“When Nick and I first dreamed of Saban Center, it wasn’t about putting our name on a building but putting our hearts on a cause that is very important to us. We imagined a place where curiosity could be sparked, creativity could be nurtured and every child no matter their background would have the opportunity to go there and learn.”
Terry Saban
The excitement was enough to make Gov. Ivey, a very outspoken Auburn fan and graduate, give the Tuscaloosa crowd a loud “Roll Tide!”
Nick Saban, who coached the Crimson Tide to six national championships in 17 seasons, suggested people may forget about how many games they won on the field. The crowd laughed at the notion but Saban made it clear: what he wants to do off the field is more important.
“This is going to be our legacy… Terry and I have always said giving isn’t about what you have, it’s about what you do with what you have.”
Nick Saban
Construction
Saban Center construction site (Caleb Turrentine / The Bama Buzz) 
Saban Center construction site (Caleb Turrentine / The Bama Buzz) 
Saban Center construction site (Caleb Turrentine / The Bama Buzz) 
Saban Center construction site (Caleb Turrentine / The Bama Buzz) 
Saban Center construction site (Caleb Turrentine / The Bama Buzz)
At the site of the old Tuscaloosa News building just across from Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, there is now a big pile of dirt.
That dirt will form the foundation of the new Saban Center which is still scheduled to be completed in 2027.
Saban Center’s innovative campus will house:
- State of Alabama STEM Hub
- Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre
- IGNITE, formerly the Children’s Hands-On Museum
There will also be an exhibit dedicated to Saban’s coaching career at Alabama with the goal of bringing in more tourism funds.
In a presentation during Wednesday’s event, the Saban Center played a video laying out more details for the future education facility. And at the end, a very familiar quote for Alabama football fans brought even more excitement to the building.
“To quote a very smart coach who I happen to know: it’s not the end, it’s just the beginning.”
Terry Saban
Poarch Creek Indians partnership
During the ceremony, the Poarch Creek Indians announced a $5 million donation to the Saban Center, further solidifying the strategic partnership announced earlier this week.
“The Saban Center will create lasting opportunities for generations of young Alabamians and their families. The mission of the Saban Center closely aligns with our tribe’s values and hopes for the future, and we are honored to be able to contribute financially to this visionary project.”
Stephanie A Bryan, Chair and CEO of the Poarch Creek Indians
This contribution is one of the Saban Center’s largest donations to date.
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