Dec. 6, 2000
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The 117th Air Refueling Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard presented a check to the Samford Department of Athletics on Wednesday, establishing the Whaley Scholarship Fund in memory of Samford alum and supporter, Colonel Evans Whaley.
Whaley, 52, died in a plane crash in May of 1999. But through the creation of the Whaley Scholarship Fund his friends, coworkers and family have ensured that his memory will continue on. Shortly after his death, a golf tournament in Whaley's honor was organized by the Alabama Air National Guard to begin raising money for the scholarship. The tournament, which was the brainchild of Lt. Colonel Fred D. Covington, was held at Tannehill National Golf Course. More than 70 players participated and raised the $2,300 that Samford received on Wednesday.
"Lt. Covington had the idea, and since there were several avid golfers on the base, we decided that would be the best way," said Lt. Colonel Edwin C. Smith. "About 70 percent of the players in the tournament were base populus this year, but we plan to make it an annual event and possibly even open it up in the future. We only began working on this year's event in August, and we'll hopefully begin planning for the next one after the first of the year."
"It is the highest compliment to our program when someone shows such a special appreciation like we've seen here today," said Samford Head Football Coach Pete Hurt. "It means a great deal when others, like Colonel Whaley and his family and friends, think that much about what we're trying to do with our program.
"We enjoyed having him as a part of our program," Hurt continued. "We are thankful that he was involved and that he enjoyed following our team and believed in what Samford is all about."
Whaley's sons have been a part of Samford football in recent years, Jim finishing his career last season and Andy as a member of the 2000 team. Whaley is also survived by his wife, the former Jemie Lynn Arnold of Opelika, Ala.
Born in Montgomery in 1948, Colonel Whaley attended Opelika High School. Upon graduation in 1966, Whaley received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, where he was a three-year starter on the football team at defensive end and played in the 1971 Sugar Bowl versus Tennessee. After graduating from the USAF Academy in 1971 with a degree in general engineering, he served as a graduate assistant football coach before entering Undergraduate Pilot Training in 1972. After competing further pilot training in 1973, Whaley was assigned to the 106th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in Birmingham, where he flew the RF-4C as an aircraft commander and instructor pilot. During this time, he attended Samford University Cumberland School of Law, receiving his J.D. and MBA degrees and passing the Alabama Bar Examination in 1981. Whaley practiced real estate and professional (medical) practice representation law for 15 years in Birmingham, and was promoted to colonel on Dec. 7, 1996. After becoming a full-time unit member in 1997, he assumed command of the 117th Air Refueling Wing on Jan. 13, 1999.
