Dec. 14, 2001

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The 117th Air Refueling Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard presented a $7,500 check to the Samford Department of Athletics on Friday, growing the Whaley Scholarship Fund in memory of Samford alum and supporter, Colonel Evans Whaley.

Following Whaley's death in a plane crash in May of 1999, friends, coworkers and family began the Whaley Scholarship Fund to ensure that his memory would live 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 second-annual tournament, which was the brainchild of Colonel Fred D. Covington, was held at Tannehill National Golf Course on Oct. 1. More than 100 players participated and raised the $7,500 that Samford received on Friday, an amount which tripled from last year's tournament.

"We are certainly fortunate to have a family like the Whaleys associated with our program," said Samford Head Football Coach Bill Gray. "There have been no players that have worked harder for our team than Jim and Andy. Mr. Whaley was a fine man who also exhibited that same kind of character, commitment and loyalty to our program and to Samford. We are so glad to be able to honor a player each year with this scholarship that keeps his memory alive."

Whaley's sons, Jim and Andy, have been a part of the Samford football program in recent years. Jim finished his career in 1999, while Andy was a sophomore on the 2001 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.