TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama’s National Alumni Association has established the Steve and Carol Sprayberry Endowed Scholarship to support future students, honoring two graduates.
The scholarship was created by the South Talladega County Chapter of the National Alumni Association and officially endowed during the Scholarship Endowment Dinner on Friday, Sept. 4. The event marked the endowment of 25 new alumni scholarships.
Carol Sprayberry and her late husband, Steve, were born and raised in Sylacauga and graduated from the University of Alabama. Steve Sprayberry played offensive line under Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant and was a member of Alabama’s 1973 national championship team. The couple married while in college.
After graduation, Steve coached college football as an offensive line coach before returning to Sylacauga, where he became an independent insurance agent. He was active with the Alabama Independent Insurance Agents and led the Sprayberry Insurance-Education Credentialing Initiative.
Carol Sprayberry spent 32 years teaching at Sylacauga High School and advised several student organizations. Since retiring, she has served as Executive Director of the Sylacauga City Schools Foundation, Assistant Director of FOCUS statewide, and on the Alabama State Department of Education’s Course of Study Committee.
Carol, a former District 5 Vice President, is the Association’s current President. Their children and spouses, Kelly and Ryan Akers and Steven and Kimmie Sprayberry, are also University of Alabama graduates.
The National Alumni Association provided about 3,000 students with more than $5 million in scholarships last year. Scholarship contributions totaled more than $3.2 million in Fiscal Year 2025-26. Association membership supports scholarship opportunities for future students.
