Remembering John Servati - UA Swimmer killed in the April 28, 2014 tornado

Started to put this in the swimming thread but decided to separate it as I hope he can be acknowledged on April 28 each year. Paraphrasing from Wreaths Across America, a person dies twice. The first time is when they take their last breath. The second time is the last time someone says their name. If you aren’t familiar with this name, I hope you’ll take a few minutes today to learn more about him. And say his name. John Servati.

Never met him and never knew him but his story was one that touched me. A native of Tupelo, Mississippi, John was finishing his junior year at the University of Alabama and was member of the Swimming and Diving team. Three years and one day after the 2011 tornado outbreak there was another tornado that hit Tuscaloosa on April 28, 2014. John was at his girlfriend’s house when the warning came and they took refuge in the basement. When he noticed the retaining wall near his girlfriend starting to collapse he ran over to the wall and held it up long enough for his girlfriend to move away. The retaining wall collapsed on top of him and he did not survive.

Swimswam.com did a nice series of write ups on him over several months including the breaking news and reaction from his coaches and teammates and a tribute from a teammate and friend.

He was awarded the 2014 Swammy “Heart of a Champion” award which is given to an individual or group that has shed a positive light on the sport of swimming that extends beyond competition results. This award is not necessarily given to the most successful athlete of the year, but to an individual or group that has demonstrated outstanding character outside of times and training.

In 2015 he was awarded the NCAA Award of Valor. This award is given to a student-athlete, coach or administrator at an NCAA school who, when confronted with a situation involving personal danger, averted or minimized potential disaster by courageous action or noteworthy bravery. The award is not presented annually, but in the event of an outstanding act of valor. This video tribute was played at the award ceremony.

The University established the John Servati Memorial Scholarship to support the swimming program specifically, honoring Servati and carrying on his legacy with the program well into the future.

By all accounts he was one of the good ones taken far too soon. Given the proximity to the date of the superstorm outbreak, his story sometimes gets lost. Hopefully the Bama Nation will keep his story alive.

For those of you who have read this far, thanks for taking the time. Maybe you already knew his story. Maybe you learned something new. Maybe you’ll take a minute to remember him and his family today. And maybe you’ll say his name. John Servati.