On Saturday, the University of Alabama System unveiled a plaque at Bryant-Denny Stadium honoring late trustee Jim Wilson, a longtime member of the board who passed away in 2023.
“Jim Wilson was a remarkable individual whose impact on The University of Alabama is truly immeasurable,” said UA President Stuart Bell.
“Jim’s leadership was instrumental in bringing numerous building projects to life across the UA System, and his hands helped shape the beautiful campus for which The University of Alabama is known today. With an unwavering love for the University, Jim embodied the spirit of leadership and was a true champion for The University of Alabama.”
Wilson, a Montgomery businessman and philanthropist who died last March, was chairman and CEO of Jim Wilson & Associates. He was first elected to the Board of Trustees in 2003 and held multiple significant leadership positions throughout his twenty-year tenure.
“Jim Wilson lived a big life – he had a big heart, big vision, and big influence on the Board of Trustees and each of the UA System institutions,” said UA System Board of Trustees President pro tempore Scott Phelps.
“While Jim’s larger-than-life presence will never be forgotten by those who knew him, this plaque serves to introduce Jim to future generations of students and fans so they too can understand and appreciate his service to the UA System and his lasting legacy. Jim was an incredible trustee, a beloved husband, an adored father, and a genuine friend to all.”
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Wilson was an avid supporter of Crimson Tide athletics and was known for his next-level displays of fandom. He was described as enthusiastic and outgoing by former Alabama head football coach Nick Saban, recounting Wilson lifting him off his feet after his team won the 2020 national championship.
“You don’t often have the opportunity to have relationships with those kinds of people,” Saban told the Tuscaloosa News in 2023. “It would be a very small number of people I can say that I would put in that category that had that kind of impact on me, and Jim was one of those people.”
“His positive energy and enthusiasm were infectious – something we could probably all benefit from catching – and he truly cared about others,” Saban said. “I hope this plaque will remind all those who see it of the example Jim set and inspire them to carry on his legacy for years to come.”
The plaque, which is located at the stadium’s southern entrance, commemorates Wilson’s “dynamic leadership,” “unrivaled charisma, unequaled humor, and unfettered love for his family, friends, and the University of Alabama system.”
Charles Vaughan is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News
