UA Mourns Loss of Student After Fatal Car Accident
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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2014 VOLUME 120 ISSUE 83 Serving The University of Alabama since 1894 SPORTS | FOOTBALL NEWS | OBITUARY UA mourns loss of student after fatal car accident Friends remember Juston Martin’s kindness, thoughtfulness of others, uplifting personality By Mark Hammontree | News Editor Juston Martin will always be remembered for the ever-present smile he shined at anyone and everyone he met. Martin passed away the morning of Saturday, Feb. 2, from injuries sus- tained in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 65 near Millbrook, Ala. He was 22 years old. Martin, a senior from Montgomery majoring in business management, was an airman in the United States Air Force and a full-time student. He was a student worker at The University of Alabama department of veteran and military affairs, where he interacted with students and families on a daily basis. “Every day, he’d come into the office with a smile on his face, and that was the thing he was notorious for, I would say,” Alex Karagas, assistant director of veteran and military affairs, said. “The angriest parents, or no mat- ter what kind of mood you were in, his smile would really light up the entire office and change everyone’s perspectives on why they came into the office in the first place.” Martin’s friends knew him for his kindness and energy, as well Photo Courtesy of Austin Barranco via Instagram as his thoughtfulness. In addition Juston Martin to his military service and aca- Photos Courtesy of 247Sports.com and demic work, Martin was also a published poet. ESPN; Graphics by CW Staff “He always had a way of speaking that was extremely eloquent,” Karagas The University of Alabama said. “It’s almost like he had his own language, but you knew exactly what football team signed 26 new he wanted to say.” recruits for the 2014 year, Candace Lamberto, a senior majoring in management, became close including 5-star Auburn friends with Martin after working with him in the office of veteran and native Rashaan Evans. military affairs. “He was a great person to just be able to sit down and talk to,” Lamberto said. “He was always charismatic when he came into the office, and he always did what he had to do.” Evans’ decision solidifi es Martin was laid to rest with full military honors in Mary Magdalene Cemetery in He touched a lot of Shorter, Ala., after funeral services were held at noon at Hutchison Missionary unanimous No. 1 class people’s hearts just by Baptist Church in Montgomery. smiling at them and “We mourn the loss of Juston Martin, University of Alabama signs 26 “Sixteen years of doing this,” Jeremy Crabtree, and our hearts go out to his family and an ESPN recruiting expert, said on the “Paul saying good morning. friends,” Tim Hebson, dean of students, prospects, 6 of 33 5-star recruits Finebaum Show” Wednesday afternoon. said in a statement. “His presence as a “Alabama’s class today is the best I’ve ever seen.” part of the UA community will certainly By Marc Torrence | Sports Editor According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, — Candace Lamberto be missed.” which combines ratings from the four recruiting Lamberto said Martin always knew Sitting in front of a crowded auditorium, outlets to create an industry average, Alabama how to cheer people up, and anyone who Rashaan Evans reached down below the table to signed six of the 33 prospects recognized as 5-star met him felt better in his presence. pull out a hat – the preferred method for recruits recruits. “Every morning, even if I was having the worst morning ever, I would see to announce which school they’re going to attend. Twelve of the 26 signees are either the first- or him walk in, dressed very professionally all the time – had all of his stuff Evans reached down and paused, adding a few second-best players in their respective states. Nine together – and would just say, ‘Hello. How’s it going? How are you today, more seconds to what was already the most antici- are either No. 1 or No. 2 at their positions. Miss Candace?’” Lamberto said. “That was [the] thing I loved most about pated (and only anticipated) moment of Alabama’s “I’m sure that every coach that stands up here him; [it] was that the littlest thing he said could make someone’s day. He National Signing Day. today and talks about their recruiting class, I’ve touched a lot of people’s hearts just by smiling at them and saying good In the end, the Auburn native from Auburn High never heard anybody say they’ve had a bad class. morning.” School spurned Auburn University to attend The I’ve never heard anybody not say they didn’t iden- Karagas said everyone who knew Martin is a better person from having University of Alabama, the cherry on top of a class tify their needs,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. known him. that some are calling the best of all time. “So I’m going to say the same thing. “He never had a bad day, it seems like – he was always unwavering, and The Crimson Tide wrapped up a 2014 signing “We had a good class, and we sort of identified with that smile on his face, he would always ensure that everyone felt like class of 26 prospects and a quarterback transfer our needs. I think the key to that is that we satis- they were special,” Karagas said. “One thing that other students have in Jacob Coker. The class is rated No. 1 by all four fied our needs because we identified those needs said is that they felt like they were better persons from being around him major recruiting outlets – ESPN, 247Sports, Rivals because he brought so much energy to our office by providing that kind of and Scout. SEE FOOTBALL PAGE 12 comfort zone to everybody.” TODAYON CAMPUS Journalism fair Alabama authors Lightning lecture Campus performance WHAT: J-Day WHAT: “Darkroom” Graphic Novel WHAT: Environmental Stress in Nature: WHAT: Mental Health Monologues: Erase WHEN: 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Presentation Case of Bumble Bees the Stigma WHERE: 338 Reese Phifer Hall WHEN: Noon - 1 p.m. WHEN: 2 p.m. WHEN: 7-8:30 p.m. WHERE: 205 Gorgas Library WHERE: Nightingale Room, Rodgers Library WHERE: Ferguson Theater cycle re th se is email today’s paper today tomorrow a p le a [email protected] Thursday Friday P p e Briefs 2 Sports 14 r • • Cloudy Clear • r r Opinions 4Puzzles 13 e e P P p p website l l a a e Culture 8 Classifi eds 13 e p p a a cw.ua.edu s s 42º/27º 52º/35º i e h t r e e c l y INSIDE c CONTACT WEATHER Thursday CAMPUSBRIEFS February 6, 2014 p.2 Basketball team loses to Arkansas The Alabama men’s basketball team dropped its ninth road game of the season at Arkansas 65-58 Wednesday night. Junior guard Rodney Cooper posted a double- SCENEON CAMPUS double with 22 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort. The Crimson Tide dropped to 9-13 on the season and 3-6 in SEC play. The Tide will travel to Gainesville, Fla., on Saturday to face the No. 3 Florida Gators. Medical Center opens new branch The University Medical Center, operated by The University of Alabama, now has a second location. Dr. Jennifer Clem, assistant professor in the department of family medicine at the University’s College of Community Health Sciences, recently joined University Medical Center-Warrior Family Medicine and is accepting new patients. In the College of Community Health Sciences, she instructs resident physicians in the Family Medicine Residency. University Medical Center-Warrior Family Medicine was formed last year after Dr. H. Joseph Fritz and his practice, Warrior Family Practice, joined the college. Fritz, who has been in private practice in Tuscaloosa since 1978, continues to see patients at University Medical Center-Warrior Family Medicine. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Fritz, call 205- Photo Courtesy of UA Athletics 348-6122. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Clem, Head coach Nick Saban addresses the media following a successful signing day. call 205-348-6123. Dr. Clem will see patients Monday afternoons and all day Thursdays. FRIDAY SATURDAY Ambassador applications available WHAT: The Avenue Pub WHAT: UA L.E.A.D.S. The University of Alabama Honors College is now Ribbon Cutting WHEN: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 taking applications for Honors College Ambassadors for WHEN: 10:30 a.m. p.m. the 2014-15 school year. Honors College Ambassadors WHERE: 405 23rd Ave. WHERE: Ferguson Center serve as the offi cial student ambassadors for Honors College. They are students who represent and promote WHAT: International Coffee WHAT: Super Saturday! the Honors College through interaction with prospective THURSDAY Hour WHEN: 10 a.m. students, current students, campus visitors, faculty and WHAT: Journalism ‘J-Day’ staff. WHEN: 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. WHERE: Children’s Hands-on A panel of faculty, staff and former ambassadors will WHEN: 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. WHERE: 121 BB Comer Hall Museum select applicants to be interviewed. Applicants selected WHERE: 338 Reese Phifer for an interview will be able to sign up for an interview Hall WHAT: Glen Templeton with WHAT: 2014 Great time that will take place Feb. 12-19. the Mojo Trio Tuscaloosa Chili Applications are due by noon Friday. Ambassadors WHAT: ‘Darkroom’ Graphic must be available for bi-weekly meetings held Thursdays WHEN: 4 p.m.