The University of Alabama has dedicated Wade Hall in honor of Dr. Archie Wade, the first Black faculty member at the Capstone.
In 1970, Wade joined UA in the department of kinesiology, where he worked for 30 years. During that time, he earned his doctorate and was a founding member of the Black Faculty and Staff Association.
“To look at the building where I worked for 30 years and to see it bear my name and my family’s name — there is no higher peak than that. It stands as a testimony not only to me, but to my entire family and our name,” said Wade.
Outside the classroom, Wade played a pivotal role in the integration of the UA football program. In 1964, he was one of three Black spectators to integrate the stands of former Denny Stadium on the UA campus. Several years later, he assisted Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant in recruiting some of the first Black student-athletes to the football program.
“Dr. Wade’s contributions to UA, the Tuscaloosa community and to the field of education will always be celebrated on our campus, and Wade Hall will stand as a testament to those contributions,” said Stuart Bell, president of UA.
Before joining UA, Wade graduated with his bachelor’s degree from Stillman College and earned his master’s degree from West Virginia University. Wade also played several seasons of minor league baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals organization, where he had the highest batting average in the Class A Florida League in 1966.
For more information on the University of Alabama, visit our recent spotlight coverage on Tuscaloosa County.
