Hardin and Stran to Lead UA Homecoming Parade
The Adapted Athletics directors will serve as grand marshals for the University of Alabama parade on Oct. 24, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Civic
University of Alabama Adapted Athletics directors Brent Hardin and Margaret Stran have been named grand marshals for the school's homecoming parade. The celebratory event is scheduled to take place in Tuscaloosa on Oct. 24, 2026.
Why it matters
The honor recognizes their leadership in building a nationally recognized program that has transformed athletic opportunities for students with disabilities. Their efforts have established the university as a premier center for competitive adaptive sports.
The program has secured 24 national championships, including 12 titles for the women's wheelchair basketball team. Currently, the department serves more than 40 student-athletes and sent 18 staff and athletes to the 2024 Paralympics.
The players
Brent Hardin
He serves as the director of the University of Alabama Adapted Athletics program.
Margaret Stran
She serves as the associate director of the University of Alabama Adapted Athletics program.
The details
Hardin and Stran were instrumental in securing funding for the $10 million Stran-Hardin Arena, which opened in 2018 to house the university's growing adaptive sports teams. The upcoming parade route will wind through the heart of downtown Tuscaloosa and across the campus grounds.
Timeline
The women's wheelchair basketball program launched in 2003.
The men's wheelchair basketball program launched in 2005.
The wheelchair tennis program launched in 2011.
The Stran-Hardin Arena opened in 2018.
The homecoming parade is scheduled for Oct. 24, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The recognition of these leaders mirrors a growing trend in collegiate sports to integrate disability athletics into the primary brand of major universities. This marks a departure from the historical isolation of adaptive programs, positioning them as central pillars of school culture and championship success.
Residents and students can view the parade as it travels through downtown Tuscaloosa and the campus. Access to the event is open to the public, offering a firsthand look at the figures behind the university's successful athletic programs.
The takeaway
This event highlights the significant growth of collegiate adaptive athletics over the past two decades. The selection of the program directors underscores the ongoing commitment to inclusivity in university sports culture.
Further reading
For more information on community events and local activities, visit the Tuscaloosa Civic section.
