The motto of the Nick's Kids charitable foundation is "to work together in the spirit of faith and giving in our community. To promote and support children, family, teacher and student causes."

Since Nick and Terry Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa nearly three years ago, the organization has put its money behind those words. Nick's Kids recently passed the $1 million mark in charitable distributions, which have benefitted more than 150 local and statewide organizations.

By Creg Stephenson

The Sabans formed Nick's Kids more than a decade ago, when Nick Saban was head coach at Michigan State. The foundation's work has continued through the family's stops at LSU, Miami and at Alabama, where Nick Saban recently began his third season as Crimson Tide head coach.  The inspiration for Nick's Kids comes from Nick Saban's father, the late Nick Sr., a long-time youth league coach and community leader in the family's hometown of Fairmont, West Virginia.

"It's gotten bigger and bigger and bigger, Nick Saban said. "We have the opportunity to do something to raise some money, give some money, to help young people have a chance to be successful. The whole Nick's Kids thing started because my dad kind of did these things. My mother and my family always said if you're ever in a position, we want you to do something to help young people. I think we do that as a college coach, but we also want to give back to the community and give it to some of the children who are less fortunate for whatever reasons."

Saban's on-field success as a coach also benefitted Nick's Kids in a big way in 2008. Saban was awarded a $50,000 charitable grant for being named Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year following Alabama's 12-2 campaign, which he turned over to Nick's Kids before April's A-Day spring game. In addition, $20,000 was awarded to the University of Alabama's general scholarship fund.

Though funds are also raised through individual donations as well as various speaking engagements by both Nick and Terry Saban, the highlight of the organization's year is the annual Nick's Kids Golf Tournament, held each July. Many of the all-time greats from Alabama athletics return to Tuscaloosa each summer to take part.

"This is one of the most self-gratifying days we have all year long, Saban said following this year's golf tournament. "It's great to win some games in the SEC, especially when you can win them on the road, but this day matches those."

The Sabans have not limited their giving to Nick's Kids, however. The family also recently donated $1 million to Alabama's First-Generation Scholarship fund, which benefits students who are the first in their families to attend college.