By Lee Davis Sonny Potter’s genetic makeup might suggest that he’s a fine athlete. His grandfather was Jimmy Sidle, an All-American quarterback at Auburn University in the early 1960s. While Sidle’s footsteps are large, his grandson more than filled them in the 2016 baseball season. Potter was a driving force for Vestavia Hills as the Rebels posted a 30-8 record, at one time … [Read more...]
Spain Remains: Jags’ Hawkins and Tedder Share Top Player, Coach Honors
By Lee Davis There was a time when Spain Park softball wasn’t a very big deal. “Before we got here they even gave an award if a girl just dived for a fly ball in the outfield,” Lady Jaguar coach C.J. Hawkins recalled. “We had to change that mindset from the very beginning.” The mindset did change, and a decade later, Spain Park is one of the state’s elite softball programs. … [Read more...]
Three-Wheeled Calling: Former Spartan Track Coach Leads Local AMBUCS Non-Profit
By Lee Davis After leading Mountain Brook to 68 state championships in track and field over a four-decade career, Greg Echols decided to retire. But at the relatively young age of 60, Echols still needed a path for the rest of his life. Last February, he found it. Echols, now 61, became executive director of the Greater Birmingham chapter of AMBUCS, a non-profit … [Read more...]
Fire Man: Food, Flavor and His Father’s Example Fuel Nick Pihakis
By Donna Cornelius The Cooking Channel show “Man Fire Food” isn’t named after Nick Pihakis, but it could be. Barbecue is still a hot topic for the Birmingham native who started Jim ’N Nick’s Bar-B-Q more than 30 years ago. Pihakis opened the first Jim ’N Nick’s in 1985 with his father, Jim. The Birmingham-based barbecue restaurant now has 35 stores in seven states. “We’ve … [Read more...]
Retail Champ: Ricky Bromberg Honored as one of America’s Top 5 Retail Champions
By Sarah KuperThe Bromberg name in Birmingham is synonymous with fine jewelry and high standards. Now, the Bromberg name has been recognized by the National Retail Federation, as company President Ricky Bromberg was named a top five finalist for America's Retail Champion Award. Bromberg has served on the Alabama Retail Association board since 2006 and as a member of … [Read more...]