OFFICIAL UA PRESS RELEASE ON "THE FAIL ROOM"
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Despite a lifetime of philanthropic giving to a variety of causes, James M. Fail never felt the desire to have anything actually named in his honor. āAfter all,ā he says, āwho would want anything with the name āFailā on it?ā
In ceremonies Monday morning at Bryant-Denny Stadium, his question was finally answered. Made possible by Failās generous gift to the Crimson Tide Foundation, the Visitorsā Locker Room was officially named āThe Fail Room.ā
āThis naming opportunity came at Mr. Failās request,ā said Mal Moore, Director of Athletics. āMr. Fail has been such a strong supporter of ours and had already made a significant gift to name our media suite in memory of his late father-in-law, former Birmingham Post-Herald sports editor Naylor Stone. But he had always been hesitant to use his unique name for a naming right until the right opportunity came along.ā
Fail, a native of Mobile, graduated from the University of Alabama in 1949 after a three-year stint in the U.S. Navy. Following his graduation, he began his storied career in the investment, mortgage, banking, savings and loan, and insurance fields. Mr. Fail continues to serve as the chairman of Stone Holdings, Inc., and Bluebonnet Savings Bank as well as various positions within the family of the Stone Holdings companies.
Fail credits the University for his success in the business world.
āAnything Iāve done would not have been possible without the University of Alabama,ā he said. āBut not so much from a āmaking moneyā standpoint. At the University, I learned how to learn. I learned discipline and how to apply what I learned to the real world. Now, many years later, I am honored to give back to the school that means so much to me. Earlier this year, when I saw the visitorsā locker room as a potential naming right, I figured it was the most appropriate opportunity I would ever have to use my name.ā
Failās loyalty and dedication has made a lasting impression on Moore.
āOver the years, weāve developed a special relationship with Mr. Fail,ā he said. āWhat a joy he has been to work with and get to know. Weāve all been energized by being around him, his approach to life, his generosity, and his excitement for life. Needless to say, his most recent gift, and the way he chose to use it, will be remembered for many years to come.ā