TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban brought his philosophy of 'the process' and delivered its message to about 500 alumni and fans Thursday at the Zone in Bryant-Denny Stadium as part of the first Crimson Caravan tour.

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Hosted by the Tuscaloosa Chapter of the Alabama Alumni Association, it was the sixth of seven planned events aimed at engaging Saban with supporters of the university. Saban will travel to Meridian, Miss., Tuesday for the final stop of the tour.

Saban addressed the crowd for 45 minutes, which included a question and answer session. UA President Robert Witt spoke earlier in the evening.

Before addressing the audience, Saban spoke briefly with the media and emphasized how important the Crimson Caravan was to him.

'I like to develop relationships and have access to the fans,' Saban said 'and this gives us an opportunity to do that. It's important we have the Crimson Tide Foundation and relative clubs that help support and give to the program. This is our philosophy, and a thank you to fans for what they have given throughout the season.'

Ross Vaughn, an adjunct faculty member in the UA School of Medicine, brought his 11-year-old son, Bradley, to the event to see Saban in an intimate setting.

'We had a wonderful time. It was great,' Ross Vaughn said. 'I was surprised at how long Coach talked. He encouraged us all and prodded the fans on how to be good fans and supportive fans.'

Bradley Vaughn said it was 'cool' to see Coach Saban, but it was another Crimson Tide icon that caught his attention.

'It was kind of neat when Big Al jumped out from behind me,' Bradley Vaughn said. 'I'll maybe tell my friends at church about it.'

Tom Roberts, who this fall will enter his 31st season working at the Capstone, said it's hard to quantify the level of excitement Saban has brought to Alabama football and to the community at-large.

'The last time was when Coach [Paul W. 'Bear'] Bryant came back,' Roberts said about the level of enthusiasm surrounding the Crimson Tide. 'It's eerie the similarities between the two. They both motivate kids and get the best out of each individual. And [Saban] is one of the best at it.

'Alabama fans have been waiting for such a long time for something good to happen. Well, it's finally happening.'

Roberts and Eli Gold, the voice of Alabama football, have swapped the duty of introducing Saban at Crimson Caravan stops.

Trey Clark, who graduated last December, was talked into attending the Crimson Caravan event at the last minute by a buddy.

He won two tickets to the Auburn game on Nov. 29 and said he owes his friend big time.

'It's just icing on the cake after graduating,' Clark said. 'I've never won anything in my life, so this is kind of cool.'

On top of Iron Bowl tickets, Clark got his picture taken with Saban.

'About two weeks ago, I got to pick up coach Gene Stallings from the airport in Memphis,' Clark said. 'I got some one-on-one time with him. He was telling me about how Coach Saban called him before he took the job. He didn't reveal the conversation but it was pretty cool still. He had a lot of things to say and told good stories.

'In 19 days, I've met two legends. When I get a corporate executive job someday those two pictures will definitely be in my office.'

Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron.suttles@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0229.